Syllabus
Genocide and Identity An Erasmus Exchange Course Charles University Institute for Political Studies Spring Term 2013 Instructor: Dr. Paul A. Levine Associate Professor of Holocaust History The Hugo Valentin Centre Uppsala University Course Concept and Goal: The purpose of this Erasmus Course is for the student to acquire an understanding of how Genocide-- , the commission of which some have called the "ultimate crime"-- constitutes, perhaps surprisingly, an essential part of the identity-both collective and individual-- of modern Europeans. The legacies of genocide for Europeans both east and west may be unacknowledged, but they are real and continually present. The Course will consist of 5 discussion seminars (including brief introductory lectures). Active participation in the seminars is central to the student’s success in the course. This participation is based upon assigned readings. Passing of the course will be based on both active participation AND an original written essay of between 5- 7 pages (in English). Following is the framework for the course. The required readings will be not be extensive, but they will be critical to understanding the Themes of the Course. Your Essay will include both these readings and other literature.
1) Introduction-What is Genocide and How does it influence You?
2) Some Case studies of Genocide-The Holocaust, Armenia, Cambodia & Rwanda
3) Genocide and Identity- How is Identity Shaped by an Acknowledgement of Genocide -Collective, Individual & Gender-based?
4) The Impact of Genocide on Identity-The Manifold Legacies of Genocide; Political, Personal, Economic, Gender, Generational, etc.
5) Discussion of the Course Exam-How to write about Genocide.