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New and Updated Course Descriptions

ENG 118 - Perpetrators, Victims, and Bystanders: Literature of Genocide

3 Credits

A study of the development of the major groups involved in genocide, including perpetrators, victims, bystanders, upstanders, rescuers, and resistors through a variety of literary genres, including poetry, novels, short stories, plays, memoirs, movies, and children’s literature. Through literature, students will learn about the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape the development of individual and group identity as well as the origins, definition, and complexity surrounding the term “genocide.” Students will read literature from representative 20th century genocides such as Rwanda, Armenia, Cambodia, Iraq, The Holocaust, Darfur, and South Sudan and make contemporary connections to current events.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101; or equivalent; or instructor permission (ENG 101 can be taken as a co-requisite).

Learning Attributes: WR

New SUNY General Education:
SUNY - Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
SUNY - Humanities

MCC General Education: MCC-GLO - Global Understanding (MGLO), MCC-SSD - Social Science and Diversity (MSSD)

Course Learning Outcomes
1.Describe the historical and contemporary societal factors that shape the development of individual and group identity including race, class, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, and ability.
2.Analyze the role that complex networks of social, legal, and governmental structures play in the creation and perpetuation of the dynamics of power, privilege, oppression, hate, and genocide.
3.Identify and define genocide in its cultural and national context.
4. Interpret events/trends in the contemporary world through the lens of the perpetrator, victim, bystander, upstander, resistor, and rescuer.
5.Apply the principles of rights, access, equity, and autonomous participation to past, current, or future social justice action.
6.Evaluate ideas from diverse literary genres that discuss genocide and atrocity.
7.Write a thesis-driven essay using literature as a primary source.
8.Apply appropriate formal conventions when writing about literature.

Course Offered Fall, Spring

Use links below to see if this course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Spring Semester 2024
Summer Session 2024