- Course code: SAM2020
- Credits: 10
- Language: Norwegian
Genocide SAM2020
SAM2020 provides an introduction to comparative genocide studies, focusing on theoretical approaches, historical examples, and methodological challenges. The course explores how genocide has been understood in academia and international law, analyzing causes, processes, and consequences through a comparative lens. Students will be introduced to key case studies, including the genocides in the Ottoman Empire, the Holocaust, Rwanda, and Bosnia, as well as more recent cases. The course also emphasizes the roles of states, international institutions, and civil society in prevention, intervention, and judicial settlement. Students will develop an understanding of the patterns and mechanisms that lead to genocide, as well as debates surrounding definition, accountability, and commemoration.
SAM2020 employs a teaching format that expects a high degree of student participation.
This course is taught in English if there are international exchange students signed up for the course. Otherwise, the course is taught in Norwegian
About the study
Study requirements
To receive a final assessment, the student must:
Students who do not meet the study requirements are not eligible to sit for the exam in the subject. To avoid using an exam attempt, the student must actively withdraw their assessment notification for the subject by the withdrawal deadline of November 1.
Final assessment/Exam
The course's final exam consists of an individual written assignment (2000-2500 words, worth 40%) combined with a 4-hour written school exam (worth 60%). A single overall grade (A-F) is given for the course. Both examinations must be passed in order to pass the course.
To receive a final assessment, the student must meet the study requirements by the specified deadlines.
Exam dates
- Exam date:
- 13. November 2025
- Start time:
- 09:00
- Duration:
- 4 hours
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 1. November 2025
- Results will be announced by:
- 4. December 2025
Written school exam - Ordinary exam
- Submission time:
- 24. November 2025
- Submission deadline:
- 13:00
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 1. November 2025
- Results will be announced by:
- 15. December 2025
Essay - Ordinary exam
- Exam date:
- 16. January 2026
- Start time:
- 09:00
- Duration:
- 4 hours
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 4. January 2026
- Results will be announced by:
- 31. January 2026
Written school exam - New/deferred exam N.B. Own rules for access
- Submission time:
- 19. January 2026
- Submission deadline:
- 13:00
- Final deadline to withdraw from examination:
- 4. January 2026
- Results will be announced by:
- 31. January 2026
Essay - New/deferred exam N.B. Own rules for access
Learning outcome
The student has
The student can
Reading list
Here you can find the reading list for this course.
Part of the literature will be available digitally, while other parts might only be available in paper format. Some of the literature will be available as compendiums, which you can find via the course room in Canvas.
You will automatically get access to literature that is available digitally when you are sitting at MF, otherwise you can get access by using Oria or by using "External access" in the library's list of databases.
Note that it will take some time before link to the reading list is updated. Please make sure that you are looking at the correct semester's reading list.
