Introductory description

This module will bring together theory, policy and practice. Topics to be covered include ‘thin’ versus ‘thick’ transitional justice, socio-economic rights, internal displacement and bridging policy-practice-research divides. During the module, we will read and discuss literature from different fields and disciplines including international development, transitional justice, law, socio-legal studies, political science and human rights.
Transitional justice can be defined as the mechanisms and processes designed to address mass human rights violations of the past. The connections between transitional justice and international development are increasingly acknowledged as relevant for both improving practice and theory in the different domains of activity and intervention. Scholars, policy makers and practitioners are posing questions such as can economic, social and cultural rights be included in transitional justice interventions? How are human rights connected to development? Can development be a form of justice for individuals and communities who have had their human rights violated? Can the inclusion of development issues undermine the pursuit of justice for human rights violations? In this module we will address these questions, and more, with a focus on applying our learning to case studies and policy and practice domains of activity.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

1. The ‘Age’ of Transitional Justice: Key Debates and Mechanisms. Film viewing, discussion of readings.
2. From ‘Thin’ to ‘Thick’ Transitional Justice: Bringing Development in.
3. Bridging the Divides: Epistemic Communities and Collaborations.
4. Case Study: Socio-Economic Rights.
5. Case Study: Gender Equality
6. Reading Week
7. Case Study: Internal Displacement.
8. Case Study: Reparation.
9. Combining the ‘Fields’: Policies and Experts.
10. Combining the ‘Fields’: Local, National and Global Level Action.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Understand, evaluate, and assess the key debates and mechanisms of transitional justice.
• Reflect on the ways 'justice' is framed by both transiitonal justice and international development.
• Critically assess the policy, practice and theoretical implications of the intersecitons between transitional justice and international development
• Have confidence in theier oral and written presentation of ideas and construction of arguments.
• Appply thier learning through contributions to online platforms such as justiceinfo.net and other similar activities

Indicative reading list

Specific reading list for the module

Research element

Independent reading for each seminar, independent identification of sources for the alternative bibliography, independent research for assessed work.

Interdisciplinary

Transitional justice is an interdisciplinary field and the reading list and module content reflects this, drawing on law, political science, anthropology, human geography, and socio-legal studies.

International

Transitional justice as a field addresses issues of global concern and the reading list and module content reflect this, drawing on work by scholars in the Global North and Global South, and including international organizations and policy making.

Subject specific skills

Ability to analyse the underpinning assumptions, key concepts, and main debates of the field of transitional justice.
Ability to apply learning to applied case studies and real-life scenarios.
Ability to communicate with policy and practitioner audiences.

Transferable skills

Critical analysis.
Construction and presentation of arguments in written and oral forms.
Essay writing.
Independent research skills.
Listening to others.