Key facts
UNE unit code: HIST510
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2026
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
From the opportunistic acts of pillage and bloodletting enacted in ancient conquests, to the mechanistic genocide of the Holocaust, episodes of mass violence provide the most momentous and profound experiences of human history.
They are also events that tend to inflame enduring passions and controversy, informing broader, collective understandings of the past and present in ways that are diverse and divisive.
This unit is designed to help you take a critical, historical approach to the study of mass atrocity.
You will consider what these episodes reveal about the extreme dimensions of racial, religious and political conflict, and examine atrocities as contested sites of memory which bequeath lingering questions of responsibility, retribution and reconciliation.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of and discuss critically the concept and implications of mass atrocity;
- articulate historical issues and problems that specifically relate to the context of selected topic areas;
- apply an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods to select and synthesise ideas from a range and variety of primary and secondary source materials;
- use effective communication strategies to present properly evidenced, coherent and sustained arguments on historical and contemporary problems and issues; and
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relationship and relevance of historical problems and issues to contemporary societies.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 3000 |
| Assessment 2 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Essay No. Words: 3000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction
ISBN: 9781032028101
Jones, A., Routledge 4th ed. 2023
Text refers to:
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