Course Content
Why do men (and women) kill? Why do they kill in large numbers? How do they kill? What, if anything, is gained by destroying, in whole or in part, a real or imagined enemy? And what can be done to eradicate this ‘odious scourge’ of humankind (as genocide has been described), which has claimed more than 100 million lives in the past century? This highly policy-relevant course explores these and related questions by providing an introduction to the study and prevention of genocide and other mass atrocities. It is aimed at undergraduate students interested in international politics and international human rights policy and law. Students could also come from the policy-making and NGO communities, and from those wishing to embark on a career in the policy-making and/or NGO communities in this area
In the first part of the course, we cover the origins and development of major killing campaigns, their impact on the maintenance of international peace and security, and their consequences for the reconstruction and development of states and the building of nations. In the second part, we assess the prospects for preventing genocide and other mass atrocities, by analysing the role that domestic and international courts and tribunals have played in the punishment of international crimes (such as genocide and crimes against humanity); the development and spread of prevention norms, such as the responsibility to protect; and the creation of preventive policies by the international community, notably the United Nations, the United States and the European Union.
Throughout the course, we will discuss many empirical cases, ranging from colonial times to the present, and including the Americas, Australia, South West Africa, the Ottoman Empire, the Soviet Union, Germany, East Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Cambodia, Guatemala, Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, Sudan and Syria. We also will show selections from films, such as The Act of Killing and Srebrenica: A Cry from the Grave, during the lectures to illustrate the complexity of genocide and mass atrocities.
Fees & Payments
Apply for Summer School 2016.
Applications open. Apply here >>
Summer School courses are taught to the LSE's high standard and are therefore academically rigorous. Before starting your application, please ensure that you meet the entry requirements specific to your chosen course(s).
Our terms and conditions have changed. Please review them here.
In order to apply for the Summer School, you must provide the following:
- 100 level courses: proof of an offer of a place at university or a transcript showing you are currently attending/have previously attended university; or
- 200 and 300 level courses: a university transcript showing you meet course specific prerequisites
You are also required to provide:
- evidence of meeting our language requirements (if a non-native English speaker).
We expect all applicants to show grades of around B+ (GPA 3.3). In some instances it is possible to accept slightly lower grades, depending on the strength of the application as a whole.
Course levels and Prerequisites
Courses are taught at 3 levels that generally equate to the 3 years of undergraduate study in the UK university system:
|
Level |
Equivalent to |
Prerequisites |
|
100 |
1st year undergraduate |
None (though some background in mathematics may be recommended) |
|
200 |
2nd year undergraduate |
Introductory level university courses (see course description page) |
|
300 |
3rd year undergraduate* |
Intermediate level university courses (see course description page) |
*In some instances can be considered 1st year graduate study
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are not considered sufficient prerequisites for Summer School courses.
All students must meet one of the following requirements:
- Native speaker of English
- Experience of studying in English at university level*
- Achieving the minimum score in one of the following language certificates:
|
Certificate |
Required Score |
|
TOEFL (internet based) |
107 or above (including 25 in each component) |
|
7.0 or above (including 7 in all components) |
|
|
with grade B or better or 185 points overall and a minimum of 185 points in each individual component. |
|
CPE |
with grade C or better or 185 points overall and a minimum of 185 points in each individual component. |
|
academic test with a score of 65 in all four components |
*If you have studied in an English speaking institution, or have courses taught at your university in English (excluding English language courses) you may meet our requirements without having to supply one of the above certificates. Evidence of this will either need to be included on a transcript or letter from your university.
We are aware that in many places, university education is taught fully or partially in English as standard. If you have studied at a university where this is the case you can apply as a native speaker. Some examples of places where is the case are:
- India
- Pakistan
- Turkey
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- The Netherlands and all Scandinavian countries
Applicants with an alternative qualification should contact the Summer School Office for advice.
Applicants who wish to refresh their language skills may be interested to note that the LSE Language Centre offers intensive one week English language courses prior to each Summer School session.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.lse.ac.uk/study/summerSchools/summerSchool/courses/internationalRelationsGovernmentAndSociety/IR300.aspx