Interactive Syllabus

Transitions do not end with political elections or handover of power. One of the most troubling questions every transitioning society needs to tackle is how to integrate personnel and victims of the previous regime. Choices whether and how to punish the worst crimes perpetrators trouble new political elites and spure many scientific debates. 

The aim of the course Transitional Justice and Democratization  is to introduce students into the field of study which explores various models in which emerging states address past atrocities and human rights violations . While deeply embedded in the form of the regime transition, transitional justice choices influence the future institutional setup as well as distribution of power between new political actors. 

The course aims to explain the genesis of the concept, theories standing behind transitional justice, and conditions laid on states by individual international organisations. It introduces causalities of transitional justice choices and explains the relationship between transitional justice and democratization. A particular focus is put on European countries and de-communisation policies implemented after 1989. Similarly, a current role of the European Union, both in the field of foreign policy and towards its own member countries, is analysed in a separate lecture.

The course consists of lectures and a debate.

Students are expected to write a discussion report (group project as a preparation for the debate) and 1 position paper. Submission of both is an obligatory condition to be allowed to take the final written exam. 

The evaluation:

Position paper: 2000 words maximum. You need to present your own argument and (using relevant literature or primary documents) its reasoned analysis (you are expected to to show why your argument works, address most apparent opposition, etc.). The topics for position papers are included in the interactive syllabus.

Maximum points: 10.

Debate: Students will be divided into 3 groups. Each group is expected to submit a written report (a group project) and present its position during one of the seminars. Maximum points: 10. 

Written exam. The final exam consists of four open-ended questions. Students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the topic, theories and concepts. The maximum score for the exam is 20. 

Grades:

A: 40 - 37 

B: 36.5 - 33.5

C: 33 - 30

D: 29.5 - 26.5

E: 26 - 23.5 

F - 23 and lower