Transitional Justice
CRN
Course Number
Credits
Course Description
FAIR 334B & HGST 334: Transitional Justice (5 credits). Subject: This course examines different approaches taken by societies, countries, and the international community in dealing with genocides, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other gross violations of human rights. It also explores the processes by which formerly repressive States transform themselves into societies based on democracy and the rule of law. It examines the various means of establishing accountability including truth, reconciliation, and historical commissions; national, international, and hybrid prosecutions of perpetrators of human rights abuse; reparation for victims of human rights and humanitarian law violations; lustration laws; restorative justice initiatives, and institutional reforms. It also considers the limitations of and the obstacles to these processes including political instability, amnesty laws, and the lack of engagement by the international community.
The course will explore the possibility of accountability processes for gross violations of economic, social, and cultural rights.
Prerequisites
One course from: FAIR 203A, FAIR 334C, FAIR 334J, FAIR 334L, INTL 336 or INTL 340; or instructor permission. Enrollment in HGST minor is preferred for HGST students.
Materials Fee
Required Texts
PEACE AND JUSTICE: SEEKING ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER WAR, by Kerr, Rachel & Mobekk, Erin, (2007) (ISBN-13: 978-0745634227).
Credit/Evaluation
Evaluation will take account of regular attendance, evidence of critical reading, engagement in class discussion, the quality of short reactions, and two assignments. There will be no course credit for anyone who misses three (3) classes in the quarter.