INCL 345 - issues peacebuilding:
genocide and religous diversity

Professors: Rev. Anastase Rugirangoga and
Dr. Dwight Jackson PhD.

Course Description:

Students will study issues in the healing of trauma (both personal and social), the processes of building peace, and establishing reconciliation in Rwanda. The history of Rwanda is important to understanding the basis of genocide. As students learn about the reconstruction process they will discover the roles played by the state, the church, and nongovernmental organizations. Discussions of the role of the international community both during the genocide and during the rebuilding process will be discussed. Students will also discuss the increasing presence of religious diversity. Students will have opportunity to interact with individuals who experience these human tragedies.

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, each student will be able to:

• Articulate the history of ethnic conflict.
• Develop a theoretical framework that explores political, historical, and social antecedents to conflict
• Utilize cultural analysis to discuss ethnic conflict.
• Articulate strategies for peacebuilding.
• Understand the challenges for peacebuilding organizations.
• Understand the challenges of religious diversity facing Rwanda.

Teaching and Learning Methods:

Students will acquire mastery of course material through:

• Critically engaging material presented in readings.
• Thought reflection of material presented in classes.
• Encountering individuals who have been impacted by ethnic violence.
• Developing written and oral presentations to report findings.

Required Texts:

• Barash, D.P. and C.P. Webel. (2002). Peace and Conflict Studies. Thousand Oaks: Sage
• Vansina, J. (2004). Historical Antecedents to Modern Rwanda: The Nyiginya Kingdom. Kampala: Fountain Publishers
• Prunier, G. (1994) Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide. Kampala: Fountain Publishers
• Additional readings as assigned

Methods of Evaluation:

At the beginning of the course students will be arranged into groups examining one of the following four sectors: education, international community, the church, and government. Each group will prepare a presentation for the end of the course in which they will address the relationship of their sector to the Rwandan Genocide and also its potential contribution to peace and reconciliation.

1. Attendance is expected at all class sessions
2. Completion of a course evaluation will be given to the students at the end of the course.
3. Progress Papers are one page in which the student reports on the weeks learning specifically relating them to the sector in which the student is concentrating. Due: each of the first two Fridays of the course.
4. Group Time: Students are accountable to meeting with and participating in the process of their group. Each will be evaluated by self, group, professor as to their contribution to the process of preparing the final Presentation.
5. Presentation: Each group will provide a 1½ to 2 hour presentation for the instruction of the learning community.

Grading for Course:

Progress Papers (50 points each): 100

Group Tinme: 200

Group Presentation: 300
TOTAL 600

Websites:

Preventing conflict/genocide:

• International Crisis Group
• Oxford Research Group
• The Conflict Resolution Information Source
• Conflict Research Consortium
• The Network University
• United States Institute of Peace
• Prevent Genocide International
• Women for Women International

Rwanda:

• Africa, south of the sahara
• African Studies Center
• Rwanda Genocide

Interesting paper about ethnic conflict and Kosovo:

• Reflections on Developing an Interest in Resolving Ethnic Conflict (PDF)

Course Outline:

Day	Topic
1	Welcome to Rwanda Groups Visit Genocide Memorial
2	Outline of Genocide P.M. Sometimes in April
3	Rwandan History Group Time
4	Culture and History First paper due by 5pm
5	Visit Gacaca Courts
6	Trauma Issues Visit PHARP Office Visit Ntarama/Nyamata
7	Guest Speaker
8	Guest Speaker
9	Guest Speaker
10	Social Frameworks Positive and Negative Peace 2nd paper due by 5pm
11	Travel to Kibuye
12	Church and Bat Island
13	Travel to Butare Visit Kiing's House Meet with NUR Faculty Dinner with students
14	Travel to Kigali
15	HIV/AIDS and Peace
16	Free Day
17	Group Presentations