PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 1
Global Studies/PLSC 120.6
Global Issues: Genocide and Mass Murder
Fall 2014
MW 9:30-10:45
619 Pray-Harrold
CRN: 17919
Professor Petra Hendrickson
602H Pray-Harrold
Office Hours: MW 11:00-12:15 (and by appointment)
phendri2@emich.edu
Course Description
This course examines global concerns that transcend boundaries of local and national
communities. It emphasizes global perspectives and approaches to analyzing and solving world
problems. This course will examine theories and histories of genocide. Beginning with
definitional concerns, we will examine broad theories of genocide and their application to
specific instances thereof. We will also discuss the consequences of intervention and nonintervention into instances of genocide and mass murder, as well as possible strategies for
prevention.
Course Objectives
In this course, students will:
 Understand the definitional complexities of genocide
 Differentiate between conceptualizations of genocide and other forms of violence
 Apply the definition of genocide to cases of mass violence
 Explore the dynamics of specific instances of genocide
 Analyze various popular, academic and journalistic accounts of genocide
General Education Rationale
People of diverse cultural and national backgrounds and experiences are relating to each other
much more frequently and intensively, all around the world, than ever before. Global trade, the
internet, climate, migration, terrorism, and concepts of human rights are just a few of the many
types of interactions that are bringing distant people together in ways that may involve conflict
or collaboration. This course will help develop awareness of the changing global context in
which we live, of the importance of appreciating diverse perspectives, and of the need for
building bridges of communication and tolerance to address shared global challenges. Many
global issues are controversial and subject to varying perspectives. Each semester, the course
will focus on a particular contemporary global issue (such as terrorism, genocide, human rights,
global gender issues, ethnic identity and conflict, migration, and democratization), not to find a
single “correct” solution, but rather to develop skills in analyzing diverse interpretations and
considering our own roles and civic responsibilities on a global scale.
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 2
Required Readings
This course will utilize a variety of sources in order to provide a richer understanding of both
theories and historical cases of genocide. All readings will be posted on the EMU Online PLSC
120 course site (http://www.emuonline.edu).
Course Requirements
Although the information bolded below is the most pertinent, it is vital that students read the
entirety of the requirement to ensure they complete the task according to the guidelines. In this
course students are expected to:
 Complete Indiana University plagiarism test and turn in accompanying certificate of
completion within the first three weeks of class (by September 17). Plagiarism is
dishonest, unethical and unacceptable. This test requires students to identify instances of
plagiarism, which will greatly reduce the possibility of unintentional plagiarism
committed because of lack of knowledge of what qualifies as plagiarism. The test can be
found at the following address: https://www.indiana.edu/~istd/plagiarism_test.html. If
you cannot receive a certificate of completion, you must provide proof of five failed
attempts, in addition to proof that you have answered 9 practice-test questions correctly.
(5%)
 Complete required reading and guiding questions for each reading. The reading load
in this class will be moderate – around 25-30 pages of reading will be assigned per class
period. On rare occasions, reading assignments will be longer. Students are expected to
read the assignments carefully and come to class prepared to discuss, ask questions and
make analytical connections between the readings and the day’s topic.
 Take a midterm exam (October 15) and a final exam (December 15). These exams will
cover material contained both in the readings and in class lectures and discussions. The
final exam will be non-cumulative. (Midterm worth 15%, Final worth 20%; 35% total)
 Engage the texts and recent news articles in 4 brief analytical papers (2 pages each)
throughout the semester (due September 22, October 8, November 12 and
December 3). These papers should relate course content to a recent news article
about mass violence or genocide. News articles should have been written no more than
3 years ago. Options for analysis include comparing the issues in an assigned reading to
the issues in the news article; contrasting the issues in an assigned reading to the issues in
the news article; identifying how the events discussed in the news article are similar to a
case discussed in readings/lecture, etc. Students are free to develop other forms of
analysis not mentioned, but these essays SHOULD NOT simply be a summary of the
news article and a summary of the reading assignment with no connection made between
the two. (the two highest scoring papers will be worth10% each and the two lowest
scoring papers will be worth 5% each; 30% total)
 Analyze the films shown in class in a 2-3 page papers that responds to the guiding
questions provided by the instructor (due October 20, November 3 and November 24).
The questions are designed to encourage a critical viewing of the film, and should be kept
in mind while watching the movie. (10% each, 30% total)
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 3
Late Assignments and Make-Up Exams
Late assignments will be docked considerably. If I have not received your paper within the time
frame described below (before class begins on the due date; no more than 12 hours after email
indicating the paper has not been received), you will only receive half credit for it. Additionally,
late assignments must be received no later than one week after the initial due date to receive any
credit whatsoever.
The midterm must be made up within two weeks of the original test date (by October 29). The
final exam must be made up by the end of finals week (by December 17). The format of makeup exams may differ from the format of the exam provided during the assigned class period.
Emailing the Instructor
Should you find it necessary to contact me by email, please include the course number and
section number (PLSC120.6) in the subject line. This will help ensure a timely response. At the
outside, I will respond within 36 hours. Frequently I will be able to respond more quickly. If you
have not received a response within 36 hours, please email me again, as it likely means I did not
receive your initial email.
Attendance
I expect students to attend all classes, arrive on time, remain for the entire period, and bring the
day’s readings with you to class. Although attendance is not required per se, you are responsible
for any and all material covered in lecture. Completion of the provided guiding questions for
each reading will prove extremely valuable, and will be worth up to a 5% bonus on the exams
(that is, if your original score is a 90, but you complete all the guiding questions, you will receive
a 95%). Part of each class period will be spent discussing and assessing the required readings to
help you become more comfortable with reading the kind of research and other materials that
you will encounter throughout your college career.
Paper Format
All papers must conform to the following specifications: 1” margins on all sides, 12-point Times
New Roman font, double-spaced, last name and page number on each page and appropriate intext citations, as well as a complete works cited page at the end of the document. For the 4 short
analysis papers, it is necessary to cite both the news article you have chosen as well as any
assigned readings you utilize. If you choose to utilize lecture material, you should identify it as
such, but you do not have to provide a formal citation. However, it is necessary to include in-text
citations when referencing specific points and arguments raised in the textbook. Students can use
the citation format of their choice from the following list: APA, Chicago, MLA, and citation
style should be consistent throughout the paper. Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/) has guides to the various citation styles available on their
website. Papers must be submitted electronically via EMU-Online dropboxes by the beginning
of class. I will confirm receipt (or lack of receipt) of papers within 12 hours; if you have
submitted, but I have not received, your paper, you will have an additional 12 hours from the
time of my email to submit it with no penalty. Physical copies of papers will not be accepted.
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 4
Writing Support
The University Writing Center (115 Halle Library; 487-0694) offers one-to-one writing
consulting for both undergraduate and graduate students. Students can make appointments or
drop in between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays and from 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Students should bring a draft of what they’re working on and their
assignment sheet. The UWC opens for the Fall 2014 semester on Monday, September 8.
The UWC also offers small group workshops on various topics related to writing (e.g.,
Organizing Your Writing; Incorporating Evidence; Revising Your Writing; Conquering
Commas; Using APA or MLA). Workshops are offered at different times in the UWC. Visit the
UWC page (http://www.emich.edu/uwc) to see our workshop calendar. To register for a
workshop, click the link from the UWC page for the type of workshop you wish to attend.
The UWC also has several satellite sites across campus. These satellites provide writing support
to students within the various colleges. For more information about our satellite locations and
hours, visit the UWC web site: http://www.emich.edu/uwc.
The Academic Projects Center (116 Halle Library) also offers one-to-one writing consulting for
students, in addition to consulting on research and technology-related issues. The APC is open
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays for drop-in consultations. Additional
information about the APC can be found at http://www.emich.edu/apc. Students visiting the
Academic Projects Center or any of the satellites of the University Writing Center should also
bring with them a draft of what they’re working on and their assignment sheet.
Academic Dishonesty
In addition to being a wholesale bad idea, plagiarism is also forbidden by the EMU Code of
Student Conduct. Any assignment that is plagiarized to any extent will receive a score of zero.
Cheating on exams is also forbidden and will also result in a zero on the exam.
Classroom Etiquette
Laptops are permitted in class only for the purpose of taking notes. Other uses are not allowed,
and if students are repeat offenders, i.e., caught more than once using their laptop for
unauthorized purposes will have their in-class laptop privileges. Use of other forms of
technology, especially cell phones, is absolutely not permitted.
Disclaimer
It may become necessary to alter the schedule provided below. In such an occurrence, students
will be notified well in advance and provided with an updated electronic copy of the syllabus.
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 5
Grading System and Scale
The percentage values allocated to course components are listed after the description of the
course component. The grading scale breaks down as follows:
Grade Value
A
AB+
B
BC+
Percentage Range
93-100%
90-92.9%
87-89.9%
83-86.9%
80-82.9%
77-79.9%
Grade Value
C
CD+
D
DF
Percentage Range
73-76.9%
70-72.9%
67-69.9%
63-66.9%
60-62.9%
below 59.9%
Schedule of Lecture Topics and Reading Assignments
Reading assignments should be completed PRIOR to the class period for which they are listed.
Wednesday, September 3: Syllabus Day, Introduction to the Course and Writing
Discussion
Monday, September 8: Definition of Genocide
Topics:
 Genesis of term
 United Nations definition
 Alternative conceptual definitions
Readings:
 Lemkin, Raphael. 1944. “Genocide.” Axis Rule and Occupied Europe: Laws of
Occupation, Analysis of Government, Proposals for Redress. Washington: Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace.
 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
 Stanton, Gregory. “8 Stages of Genocide.”
Wednesday, September 10: Genocide vs. Other Forms of Violence
Topics:
 Characteristics of genocide compared to interpersonal violence
Readings:
 Hawkins, J. David, Todd I. Herrenkohl, David P. Harrington, Devon Brewer, Richard F.
Catalano, Tracy W. Harachi, and Lynn Cothern. 2000. “Predictors of Youth Violence.”
Juvenile Justice Bulletin: 1-13.
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 6
Monday, September 15: Genocidal Motivation and Policies
Topics:
 Why/how “ordinary” people commit genocide
 How genocide is carried out
Readings:
 Waller, James. 2002. “Killers of Conviction: Groups, Ideology, and Extraordinary Evil.”
Becoming Evil: How Ordinary People Commit Genocide and Mass Killing. Oxford:
Oxford University Press. 29-54. (p. 29-49 only)
Wednesday, September 17: Genocide of Indigenous Peoples (Americas)
Topics:
 US policy regarding Native Americans
 Canada’s First Nations
Readings:
 Davidson, Lawrence. 2012. “Cultural Genocide and the American Indians.” Cultural
Genocide. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press. 21-43.
Due:
 Indiana University Plagiarism Certificate
Monday, September 22: Genocide of Indigenous Peoples (Australia)
Topics:
 Aboriginal policies
Readings:
 Levarch, Michael. 1997. Bringing Them Home: National Inquiry into the Separation of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. Sydney:
Commonwealth of Australia.
o Chapter 2: National Overview (p 22-32 of PDF)
o Chapter 4: Victoria (p 50-61 of PDF)
o Chapter 8: South Australia (p 103-113 of PDF
Due:
 2-page analytical paper
Wednesday, September 24: Armenia 1
Topics:
 History of Armenians/other Christians in Ottoman Empire (Millet System)
 Massacres initiated by Sultan Hamid II in 1890s
Readings:
 Adalian, Rouben. nd. “The Armenian Genocide: Context and Legacy.”
 Cohan, Sara. 2005. “A Brief History of the Armenian Genocide.” Social Science
Education 69(6): 333-337. (map on p. 334 only)
 Dadrian, Vakhan N. 1993. “The Secret Young-Turk Ittihadist Conference and the
Decision for the World War I Genocide of the Armenians.” Holocaust and Genocide
Studies 7(2): 173-201. (p. 173-176, p. 178-189 & p. 194-196 only)
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 7
Monday, September 29: Armenia 2
Topics:
 The genocide
 International responses
Readings:
 Adalian, Rouben Paul. 2003. “American Diplomatic Correspondence in the Age of Mass
Murder: The Armenian Genocide in the US Archives.” In American and the Armenian
Genocide of 1915. Jay Winter, ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 146-184. (p.
146-152 & p. 180-184 only)
 Kalayjian, Anie S., Siroon P. Shahinian, Edmund L. Gergerian, and Lisa Saraydarian.
1996. “Coping with Ottoman Turkish Genocide: An Exploration of the Experience of
Armenian Survivors.” Journal of Traumatic Stress 9(1): 87-98
 Watenpaugh, Keith David. 2010. “The League of Nations’ Rescue of Armenian Genocide
Survivors and the Making of Modern Humanitarianism, 1920–1927.” Current History:
1315-1339. (illustrations on p. 1318, 1335 & 1338 only)
Wednesday, October 1: Holocaust
Topics:
 Jewish persecution 1933-1939
o Nuremberg Laws
o Kristallnacht
 Early WWII
o Warsaw Ghetto
Readings:
 Dutton, Donald G. 2007. “The Holocaust.” The Psychology of Genocide, Massacres, and
Extreme Violence: Why “Normal” People Come to Commit Atrocities. Westport, CT:
Praeger. 38-61.
 .http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/timelines/nazi_genocide_timeline/index_embed
.shtml
Monday, October 6: Holocaust 2
Topics:
 Specific policies
 Concentration camps
Readings:
 Kühl, Stefan. 1998. “The Cooperation of German Racial Hygienists and American
Eugenicists Before and After 1933.” In The Holocaust and History: The Known, the
Unknown, the Disputed, and the Reexamined. Michael Berenbaum and Abraham J. Peck,
eds. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press. 134-152.
Class Activity:
 Begin Conspiracy
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 8
Wednesday, October 8: Holocaust 3
Class Activity:
 Finish Conspiracy
Due:
 2-page analytical paper
Monday, October 13: Holocaust 4
Topics:
 Nuremberg Trial
 Bringing former Nazis to justice
Readings:
 Doman, Nicholas. 1946. “Political Consequences of the Nuremberg Trial.” Annals of the
American Academy of Political and Social Science 246: 81-90.
 Wright, Quincy. 1946. “The Nuremberg Trial.” Annals of the American Academy of
Political and Social Science 246: 72-80. (p. 72-76 & 79-80 only)
Wednesday, October 15: MIDTERM
Monday, October 20: Cambodia 1
Topics:
 Khmer Rouge Comes to Power
 The Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields
Readings:
 Hinton, Alexander Laban. 2004. “‘Why Did You Kill’? The Cambodian Genocide and
the Dark Side of Face and Honor.” In Violence in War and Peace: An Anthology. Nancy
Scheper-Hughes and Philippe Bourgois, eds. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers. 157-168.
Class Activity:
 Begin The Killing Fields
Due:
 Conspiracy Film Analysis
Wednesday, October 22: Cambodia 2
Class Activity:
 Continue The Killing Fields
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 9
Monday, October 27: Cambodia 3
 Aftermath
 Justice
 Tribunal
Readings:
 Etcheson, Craig. “Let the Khmer Rouge Record Show.” New York Times. August 26,
2014. Available online from: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/opinion/cambodiashouldnt-censor-the-khmer-rouge-courts-files.html.
 “Cambodia: Khmer Rouge Convictions 'Too Little, Too Late'.” Human Rights Watch.
August 8, 2014. Available online from: http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/08/08/cambodiakhmer-rouge-convictions-too-little-too-late.
Class activity:
 Finish The Killing Fields
Wednesday, October 29: Bosnia 1
Topics:
 History of Yugoslavia
 Death of Tito
Readings:
 Oberschall, Anthony. 2000. “The Manipulation of Ethnicity: From Ethnic Cooperation to
Violence and War in Yugoslavia.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 23(6): 982-1001.
Monday, November 3: Bosnia 2
Topics:
 Death of Tito-1992
 1994 bombing of Sarajevo
 Safe area of Srebrenica
Readings:
 Leydesdorff, Selma. 2011. “A Human Shooting Gallery: Srebrenica 1992-1995.”
Surviving the Bosnian Genocide: The Women of Srebrenica Speak. Bloomington: Indiana
University Press. 106-139.
Due:
 Killing Fields film analysis
Wednesday, November 5: Bosnia 3
Topics:
 Dayton Peace Accords
 Bosnia since Dayton
Readings:
 Caplan, Richard. 2000. “Assessing the Dayton Accord: The Structural Weaknesses of the
General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina.” Diplomacy and
Statecraft 11(2): 213-232.
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 10
Monday, November 10: Rwanda 1
Topics:
 Historical overview of Rwanda/Burundi 1960s-1990s
Readings:
 Longman, Timothy. 2001. “Identity Cards, Ethnic Self-Perception, and Genocide in
Rwanda.” In Documenting Individual Identity: The Development of State Practices in the
Modern World. Jane Caplan and John Torpey, eds. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
345-358.
Class Activity:
 Begin Hotel Rwanda
Wednesday, November 12: Rwanda 2
Class Activity:
 Finish Hotel Rwanda
Due:
 2-page analytical paper
Monday, November 17: Rwanda 3
Topics:
 Rwanda from 1990-1994
Readings:
 Straus, Scott. 2006. “Genocide at the National and Regional Levels.” The Order of
Genocide: Race, Power, and War in Rwanda. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. 4164.
Wednesday, November 19: Rwanda 4
Topics:
 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
 Gacaca Courts
 Rwanda since 1994
Readings:
 Ingelaere, Bert. 2008. “The Gacaca Courts in Rwanda.” In Traditional Justice and
Reconciliation after Violent Conflict: Learning from African Experiences. Luc Huyse and
Mark Salter, eds. Stockholm: International Institute for Electoral Assistance. 25-60.
(Read p. 32-44 only)
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 11
Monday, November 24: Gendered Aspects of Genocide
Topics:
 Sexual violence
 Victimization
Readings:
 Debnath, Angela. 2009. “The Bangladesh Genocide: The Plight of Women.” In Plight
and Fate of Women during and Following Genocide. Samuel Totten, ed. New Brunswick,
NJ: Transaction Publishers. 47-66. (Most of this is references; the actual reading is p.
47-55)
 Miller, Donald E., and Lorna Touryan Miller. 1993. “The Experience of Women and
Children.” Survivors: An Oral History of the Armenian Genocide. Berkeley: University
of California Press. 94-117. (only read up to “The Experience of Children” on page
103)
Due:
 Hotel Rwanda film analysis
Wednesday, November 26: NO CLASS
Monday, December 1: Denial
Topics:
 Armenia
 Holocaust
Readings:
 Lipstadt, Linda. “Denying the Holocaust.” Available online from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/genocide/deniers_01.shtml
 Smith, Roger W., Eric Markusen, and Robert Jay Lifton. 1995. “Professional Ethics and
the Denial of Armenian Genocide.” Holocaust and Genocide Studies 9(1): 1-22.
 Stanton, Gregory. “12 Ways to Deny a Genocide.”
Wednesday, December 3: Non-Intervention
Topics:
 Cases of non-intervention
o Rwanda
Readings:
 Grünfeld, Fred. 2007. “Apologies from Bystanders Ten Years Later.” International and
Comparative Criminal Law Series, Volume 23. Failure to Prevent Genocide in Rwanda:
The Role of Bystanders. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV. 231-247. (read p. 231-242 only)
 Grünfeld, Fred. 2007. “The Genocide Fax and the Prohibition from U.N. Headquarters to
Act.” International and Comparative Criminal Law Series, Volume 23. Failure to Prevent
Genocide in Rwanda: The Role of Bystanders. Leiden: Koninklijke Brill NV. 95-105.
Due:
 2-page analytical paper
PLSC 120.6 Syllabus 12
Monday, December 8: Intervention
Topics:
 Forms of intervention
o Humanitarian
o Military
 Tribunal construction
Readings:
 Waxman, Matthew C. 2009. “Intervention to Stop Genocide and Mass Atrocities.”
Council on Foreign Relations Council Special Report No. 49. New York: Council on
Foreign Relations. (read p. 3-27 only)
Wednesday, December 10: Prevention
Topics:
 Strategies of prevention
Readings:
 Feinstein, Lee. 2007. “Darfur and Beyond: What Is Needed to Prevent Mass Atrocities.”
Council on Foreign Relations Council Special Report No. 22. New York: Council on
Foreign Relations. (read p. 3-30 only)
Monday, December 15: FINAL EXAM (9:00 am – 10:30 am)