Information Package / Course Catalogue
LAW 228 Transitional Justice
MEF University
Degree Programs
Psychology
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
Psychology
Bachelor Length of the Programme: 4 Number of Credits: 240 TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF: Level 6

Ders Genel Tanıtım Bilgileri

School/Faculty/Institute Faculty of Law
Course Code LAW 228
Course Title in English Transitional Justice
Course Title in Turkish Geçiş Dönemi Adaleti
Language of Instruction EN
Type of Course Flipped Classroom
Level of Course Introductory
Semester Spring,Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 2 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 106 hours per semester
Number of Credits 4 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge None
Co-requisites None
Registration Restrictions Only Undergraduate Students and Erasmus
Overall Educational Objective Students will acquire a basic knowledge on theory and practice of transitional justice. The course will enable them to develop their own perspective on aims and usefulness of transitional justice mechanisms implementation. Thus, they will be able to assess the conditions of success to come to terms with the past in emerging democracies and post-conflict societies and discuss and criticize the applied transitional justice mechanisms in selected case studies.
Course Description The main aim of the course is to examine how countries that emerged from conflict and authoritarian rule deal with the mass atrocities and human rights abuses legacies and how past injustices are reconciled. This interdisciplinary field of research and practice aims to understand and advance a complex range of goals and mechanisms, including strengthening democratic transitions and peacebuilding processes to enable reconciliation. By providing a broad conceptual understanding of this emerging field, the course enables critical examination of the historical and contemporary uses of different justice interventions and transitional justice mechanisms through selected case studies. Starting with the atrocities of World War II, the course first examines Nuremberg and Tokyo trials to further proceed to the challenges of the transition caused by fall of communism, ethnic conflicts, and apartheid, among others. It then progresses with analyzing contemporary issues arising from the ongoing conflicts and ends with the discussion about the future developments in the field.
Course Description in Turkish Dersin genel amacı çatışma ve otoriter rejimlerinden ortaya çıkan ülkelerin toplu zulüm ve insan hakları ihlalleri mirası ile idare etme şekli ve geçmişteki adaletsizliklerinin uzlaşmasını analiz etmektedir. Araştırma ve uygulamalı olan bu çok disiplinli alanı, uzlaşmayı mümkün kılan ve demokratik geçişler ve barış inşası süreçleri dahil olan çetrefilli mekanizma ve hedef yelpazesini anlamaya ve geliştirmeye amaçlanıyor. Vaka çalışmalar merci kullanarak, bu ders çeşitli tarihi ve çağdaş adalet müdahalelerin kullanımlarının eleştirel bir inceleme sağlıyor. Nuremberg ve Tokyo mahkemelerinden başlayarak bu ders, diğerleri arasında, komünizmin düşüşü, etnik çatışmalar ve apartheid sebebi olan geçişlerin meydan okumalarıyla devam ediyor.

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) Understand basic theoretical framework of transitional justice
2) Develop a perception on the conditions of success of transitional justice implementation
3) Understand the core meaning of “coming to terms with the past”
4) Interpret the policies to be applied in transiting societies through certain basic values such as justice or equity
5) Identify and understand the characteristics and importance of the transitional justice mechanisms
6) Assess and criticize different approaches in the application of the transitional justice mechanisms in some countries
7) Discuss the ongoing conflicts and propose the potential solutions from the aspect of the transitional justice
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation.
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes.
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts.
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline.
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards.
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences.
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level).
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement.
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses.
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning.
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Thorough knowledge of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. N
2) Understanding of and ability to apply essential research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and data interpretation. N
3) Competence to use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to solving problems related to behavior and mental processes. H Exam,HW,Participation
4) Understanding and ability to apply psychological principles, skills and values in personal, social, and organizational contexts. N
5) Ability to weigh evidence, to tolerate ambiguity, and to reflect other values that underpin psychology as a discipline. N
6) Internalization and dissemination of professional ethical standards. N
7) Demonstration of competence in information technologies, and the ability to use computer and other technologies for purposes related to the pursuit of knowledge in psychology and the broader social sciences. N
8) Skills to communicate the knowledge of psychological science effectively, in a variety of formats, in both Turkish and in English (in English, at least CEFR B2 level). N
9) Recognition, understanding, and respect for the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. S Participation
10) Recognition for the need for, and the skills to pursue, lifelong learning, inquiry, and self-improvement. S HW,Participation
11) Ability to formulate critical hypotheses based on psychological theory and literature, and design studies to test those hypotheses. N
12) Ability to acquire knowledge independently, and to plan one’s own learning. S Exam,HW
13) Demonstration of advanced competence in the clarity and composition of written work and presentations. H Exam,HW
Prepared by and Date SENADA ZATAGIC , January 2023
Course Coordinator SENADA ZATAGIC
Semester Spring,Fall
Name of Instructor Öğr. Gör. SENADA ZATAGIC

Course Contents

Week Subject
1) Introduction – presentation of the course content Conceptualizing Transitional Justice – What is Transitional Justice?
2) Why Transitional Justice? - Peacebuilding, Reconciliation, Democratization and Rule of Law
3) Transitional Justice Mechanisms and Goals
4) Post-World War II Tribunals – Nuremberg and Tokyo Trials
5) Lustration and Post-Communism Transition in Eastern Europe
6) International Criminal Tribunals and Hybrid Criminal Tribunals
7) Midterm exam
8) Amnesties and Reparations
9) Truth-telling and Truth Commissions
10) Development and Transitional Justice
11) Traditional and Alternative Approaches to Transitional Justice
12) Current Issues in Transitional Justice
13) The Future of Transitional Justice
14) Final Examination Period
15) Final Examination Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsAll course materials will be provided by the lecturer. The students don't need to buy and books etc. For the research on the internet the students should be equipped with a laptop or tablet each lesson. Recommended books: Teitel, R. G. (2000). Transitional Justice, Oxford University Press Lawther, C., Moffett, L., Jacobs, D. (2017). Research Handbook on Transitional Justice, Edward Elgar Publishing Subotić, J. (2009). Hijacked Justice – Dealing with Past in Balkans, Cornell University Press
Teaching MethodsFlipped classroom Lectures Presentations Assignments
Homework and ProjectsThe students will prepare the homeworks on assigned topics.
Laboratory Work
Computer UseFor the research on the internet and preparing the assignments the students should be equipped with a laptop or tablet each lesson.
Other Activities
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Homework Assignments 1 % 20
Presentation 1 % 20
Paper Submission 1 % 60
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration zatagics@mef.edu.tr

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 1 2 2 70
Presentations / Seminar 1 6 6
Project 1 6 6
Midterm(s) 1 8 8
Final Examination 1 16 16
Total Workload 106
Total Workload/25 4.2
ECTS 4