FSHIS 201
Transitional Justice Since World War II
Spring 2012
Prof. Barry Shapiro
Arter 206; ext. 4304; email: bshapiro
Office Hours: M 4:15-5:15; T 3:00-4:30; W 9:00-11:30; Th 10:45-11:45
This sophomore seminar is designed to introduce students to history as an academic discipline through an examination of transitional justice in the post-World War II period. What are the various ways in which newly-emerging democracies have dealt with the crimes and atrocities committed by their disgracedpredecessors? Should priority be given to punishing the guilty? To learning the truth about what actually happened? To enhancing the prospects for future democracy?In examining the competing claims of justice, truth-seeking, and peace and political stability in a variety of historical contexts, students will be challenged to confront the moral complexities and ambiguitiesthat often make it so difficult for both historical actors and those observing and evaluating their actions to decide what is the “right” or the “best” way to deal with the ghosts of the past in the midst of dauntinghistorical circumstances.
Required texts:
Marrus, TheNuremberg War Crimes Trial, 1945-46
Nino, Radical Evil on Trial
Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness
Films to be shown:
Judgment at Nuremberg
The Official Story
Red Dust
COURSE OUTLINE
Week 1: Introduction
Reading: Minnow, “Between Vengeance and Forgiveness” (handout)
Neier, “What Should Be Done About the Guilty?”(handout)
Hesse and Post, “Human Rights in Political Transitions” (handout)
Weeks 2-4: Nuremberg: Accountability in the Aftermath of WW II
Reading: Marrus, The Nuremberg War Crimes Trial
Biddiss, “Victor’s Justice? The Nuremberg Tribunal” (handout)
Paper # 1: due Thursday, Feb. 16
Weeks 5-7: Argentina: Transition to Democracy in Latin America
Reading: Nino, Radical Evil on Trial,
Dworkin, Introduction to “NuncaMás” (handout)
Acuña and Smulovitz, “Guarding the Guardians in Argentina” (handout)
Selection of topic for final paper: Thursday, March 1
Paper # 2: due Thursday March 8
Weeks 8-10: South Africa: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Reading: Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness
Maluleke, “The Truth and Reconciliation Discourse”(handout)
Paper # 3: due Thursday April 5
Week 11: Summary and Postscript: The International Criminal Court
Reading: Paris, “The Sun Climbs Slow” (handout)
Weeks 12-14: Student Presentations on Research Projects
Final Research Paper: due during exam period
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING
In addition to an approximately 10 page research paper due during exam week, requirements in this course include three 3-4 page analytic papers, each relating to one of the three cases of transitional justice (Nazi Germany, Argentina, and South Africa) upon which we will focus in the first 2/3 of the course. For the final research paper, each student will select a specific case of transitional justice to concentrate on, excluding the three cases just mentioned. You will need to select the case that you intend to study by Thursday, March 1. (List of suggested possible case studies is attached.) Presentations on your research for this paper will be made during the last 3 weeks of the course. Details on my expectations for the research paper itself and for the above-mentioned presentation, as well as for the three shorter papers, will, of course, be provided at the appropriate time as the semester proceeds.
As FS 201 courses are designed to function as primarily discussion classes, the success of the class is strongly dependent on the quantity and quality of student participation. Regular attendance is expected and excessive absenteeism will be penalized.
Grades will be determined as followed:
Analytic Papers: 15% each 45%
Research Paper (including presentation): 40%
Class participation: 15%
Policy on electronic devices:
Cell phones must be turned off during class periods. Failure to do so or texting/tweeting during class will be penalized. Unless you have obtained specific permission to do so, you are not permitted to use laptop, notebook, or tablet computers during class.
Expected learning outcomes for this course:
1)Students will develop some degree of understanding of the variety of ways in which the past can be interpreted.
2)Students will undertake historical research projects, create their own thesis relating to the topic of their research, and write a paper demonstrating this thesis.
3)Students will strengthen their writing and public speaking skills.
FSHIS 201: Transitional Justice Since World War II
Possible case studies for research paper
Post World War II
Japan
France
Italy
Latin America
Chile
Uruguay
Brazil
El Salvador
Guatemala
Western Europe
Spain
Greece
Post-Communist World
Former Yugoslavia/Bosnia
Germany
Czech Republic
Poland
Soviet Union/Russia
Africa
Rwanda
Uganda
Biafra/Sudan
Miscellaneous
Iraq/Saddam Hussein
China/Gang of Four