Mass Killing and Genocide as distinct phenomena in the 20th Century. Prevention in the 21st Century – challenges and possibilities. Questions animating the course include: What role does identity play in political violence? What are the causes of mass killing and genocide, and how are these phenomena related to war? Why do some actors adopt strategies of mass killing and genocide while others do not? Is it possible to prevent genocide, and if so, what would early warning systems look like? What are possible strategies for mitigating the underlying causes of mass killing and genocide, and what prospects do they have in the international arena? Is the world more or less prone to this type of violence in the future? The objectives of this course are to examine mass, identity-based political violence perpetrated against civilians and non-combatants.