Sociology and Criminology
Crimes against Humanity (Aut)
Module code: L5103A
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay
On this module, you'll take an interdisciplinary approach to reflect on how, in times of conflict, it is possible for previously law abiding people to commit acts of cruelty and violence.
Crimes against humanity have only recently caught the attention of criminologists, and the module provides students with in-depth information on the origins and dynamics of such crimes. The module discusses the work of influential social theorists, psychologists, criminologists, psychoanalysts and philosophers.
You'll focus on the work of:
- Erich Fromm (Escape from Freedom)
- Hannah Arendt (Eichmann in Jerusalem)
- Zygmunt Bauman (Modernity and the Holocaust)
- Ernest Becker (Escape from Evil).
In addition to thinking about the driving force of aggression, conflict and mass violence, you'll also addressthe psychological trauma experienced by victims, as well as considering the role of both internal and external bystanders.
Module learning outcomes
- Systematically understand the main fundamental insights produced by philosophy and social theory into the phenomena of crimes against humanity.
- Develop and sustain theoretical and conceptual arguments about crimes against humanity and reconciliation
- Review and make independent judgements about the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives, critically evaluating their uncertainties and ambiguities.
- Explain and critically evaluate connections between different theoretical approaches
- Assimilate and evaluate evidence from case studies of mass atrocity in order to comment on current research in relation to these.
- Critically evaluate literature on crimes against humanity to make judgments about how these can be reconciled or restituted.