This course studies genocide in the twentieth century and focuses on the challenges faced by the international community after the ratification of the United Nations' Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Students will begin by exploring the scholarly and legal difficulties of definition. They will analyse the major cases of genocide in the two world wars, Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Dafur as well as other questions of genocide within other contexts. In particular, the course will focus on several issues: difficulties of perception and recognition; the role of various international agencies and major powers; international relations and strategic limitations that determine the timing and nature of intervention; and the problems of punishment.