Conflict, Justice, & Human Rights

Catalog description

The persistence of low-intensity conflict and the rise of authoritarian regimes in recent years has put the question of transitional justice in ongoing conflicts as well as post-conflict and post-authoritarian contexts center stage. The objective of this co-taught colloquium is to critically examine questions of accountability, human rights and memory politics in a variety of cross-regional case studies. The first part of the course exposes students to fundamental concepts of the field drawing from a range of empirical examples. The second part of the course focuses on the challenges between civil society and state actors when dealing with the past. Several historical and contemporary case studies help contextualize the intricate issues societies face when addressing past wrongdoings. In addition, the seminar-style course introduces alternative teaching methods--including simulations, films and select guest speakers, such as subject matter experts and practitioners--to provide students with a rich and stimulating learning environment to understand the politics of justice, policy strategies and norm-building in post-conflict and post-authoritarian societies.