{The course under this code is intended for MA level students. BA students interested in this course need to enrol the BA level code that begins with "YB".}
The course deals with the social phenomenon of Genocide, particularly genocidal violence. The
structure of the course is divided into three interconnected parts. The first part deals with the
phenomenon of genocide itself. The second part provides a deeper understanding of the worst cases of
genocidal violence in the 20th century. The last part focuses on the specific types of violence, which take
place during genocide. Lectures are accompanied by two special lessons, one guest lecture and one
interactive lecture. The main aim of this course is to provide a better understanding of genocidal violence
at its different forms and introduce different perspectives. In other words, the main goal of the course is
to persuade you, that genocide is the most extreme form of violence and when the time of genocide
comes, we have to do our best to stop it.
Last update: Bc. Martina Plass (04.09.2023)
The course deals with the social phenomenon of Genocide, particularly genocidal violence. The
structure of the course is divided into three interconnected parts. The first part deals with the
phenomenon of genocide itself. The second part provides a deeper understanding of the worst cases of
genocidal violence in the 20th century. The last part focuses on the specific types of violence, which take
place during genocide. Lectures are accompanied by two special lessons, one guest lecture and one
interactive lecture. The main aim of this course is to provide a better understanding of genocidal violence
at its different forms and introduce different perspectives. In other words, the main goal of the course is
to persuade you, that genocide is the most extreme form of violence and when the time of genocide
comes, we have to do our best to stop it.
Syllabus -
Last update: Bc. Martina Plass (17.04.2023)
Lecture 1.
Introduction:
Structure of the course
Lecture 2.
What is genocide?
The real story of Raphael Lemkin
Legal, sociological, and statistical definition
Lecture 3.
Why does genocide happen?
What are the main causes of genocide?
Why is genocide the most extreme form of violence?
Lectures 4.
How does genocide happen?
Is every case of genocide really unique?
Gregory H. Stanton: The real fighter against genocide
Lecture 5.
From German South West Africa to Holocaust
The first genocide of the 20th century: the “incubator” of Holocaust
Different place and time, but same practices
Lecture 6.
Invited guest lecture
Students will discuss preprepared topics with the expert specializing in genocidal violence
Guest: Mr. Edin Serezlic: Justice and Security Sector leader. Bosnian war and postwar
situation specialist since 1997. (UN personnel, Regional war crimes investigation coordinator,
Political Rule of Law adviser)
Lecture 7.
Rwanda from a different perspective
Scott Straus: the scientist who finally gave us the answers
Things that need to be explained: Controversies about the Rwandan genocide
Lecture 8.
Lesson learned
Have we learned anything from particular cases of genocide?
What have we learned from: Armenia, Cambodia, Srebrenica, and Darfur?
Lecture 9.
The camps of death
Concentration and Extermination camps
Nazis were not the first who come up with this idea
Lecture 10.
Genocidaires
The architects x executors of genocide
How fast an ordinary man can become a perpetrator of genocide?
Lecture 11.
Sexual violence: a tool of genocide
Could sexual violence be considered an act of genocide?
Is sexual violence a common part of genocide?
Lecture 12.
Interactive lecture
Students will discuss and analyze the real world ́s “genocide alert” situations
Students will try to propose solutions to these situations, based on the knowledge acquired in
this course
Lecture 13.
Final discussion and Test
Last update: Bc. Martina Plass (17.04.2023)
Lecture 1.
Introduction:
Structure of the course
Lecture 2.
What is genocide?
The real story of Raphael Lemkin
Legal, sociological, and statistical definition
Lecture 3.
Why does genocide happen?
What are the main causes of genocide?
Why is genocide the most extreme form of violence?
Lectures 4.
How does genocide happen?
Is every case of genocide really unique?
Gregory H. Stanton: The real fighter against genocide
Lecture 5.
From German South West Africa to Holocaust
The first genocide of the 20th century: the “incubator” of Holocaust
Different place and time, but same practices
Lecture 6.
Invited guest lecture
Students will discuss preprepared topics with the expert specializing in genocidal violence
Guest: Mr. Edin Serezlic: Justice and Security Sector leader. Bosnian war and postwar
situation specialist since 1997. (UN personnel, Regional war crimes investigation coordinator,
Political Rule of Law adviser)
Lecture 7.
Rwanda from a different perspective
Scott Straus: the scientist who finally gave us the answers
Things that need to be explained: Controversies about the Rwandan genocide
Lecture 8.
Lesson learned
Have we learned anything from particular cases of genocide?
What have we learned from: Armenia, Cambodia, Srebrenica, and Darfur?
Lecture 9.
The camps of death
Concentration and Extermination camps
Nazis were not the first who come up with this idea
Lecture 10.
Genocidaires
The architects x executors of genocide
How fast an ordinary man can become a perpetrator of genocide?
Lecture 11.
Sexual violence: a tool of genocide
Could sexual violence be considered an act of genocide?
Is sexual violence a common part of genocide?
Lecture 12.
Interactive lecture
Students will discuss and analyze the real world ́s “genocide alert” situations
Students will try to propose solutions to these situations, based on the knowledge acquired in
this course
Lecture 13.
Final discussion and Test
Course completion requirements -
Last update: Mgr. Karel Bauer (10.01.2024)
Students are expected to take an active part in discussions during classes and attend classes regularly. * Terms of passing the course - First option: The student is obliged to pass a written test to successfully complete the course. - Second option: The student is obliged to write a final essay to successfully complete the course * -Deadline: January 31st, 2024 (email: Karel.Bauer77@seznam.cz) - Final essay (1 500 - 1 800 words long) on a pre-agreed topic needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e., also a bibliography. - Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential.
The course passing requirements may be adjusted slightly based on the number of students enrolled.
Last update: Mgr. Karel Bauer (10.01.2024)
- First option: The student is obliged to pass a written test to successfully complete the course. - Second option: The student is obliged to write a final essay to successfully complete the course Deadline: January 31st, 2024 (email: Karel.Bauer77@seznam.cz) Final essay (1 500 - 1 800 words long) on a pre-agreed topic needs to contain exact references and to state all their sources, i.e., also a bibliography. Clear, precise, and comprehensive citation is absolutely essential
The course passing requirements may be adjusted slightly based on the number of students enrolled.
