Sociology 4395: Worksheet--"Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda"
1. What was the background to the genocide in Rwanda?
2. What were the precipitating events (what touched off the mass killings)?
3. What was the role of radio?
4. What were the factors limiting the effectiveness of the United Nations peacekeeping force?
5. How did the Red Cross manage to save some 65,000 potential victims?
6. What was the role played by:
a. Karl Wilkens
b.Philippe Gaillard.
c. Alex Gromo
d. General Romeo Dallaire
Sociology 4395: Groups--"Ghosts of Rwanda"
1. Why did the United States do so little to stop the genocide in Rwanda? Can you imagine a scenario in which the U.S. might have played a role in stopping this genocide?
2. In the genocides we've considered thus far in the courses, there are always some quite specific and somewhat unique factors limiting the willingness/ability of the United States to intervene effectively. Do you see any common factors that cut across all these situations that might explain why a commercial democracy like hours is a poor bet for moving effectively against genocides?
3. Do you think the United States should involve its military in opposition to genocide, wherever it may happen? What might be the unintended consequences of such a policy? If we aren't going to do this, what do you make of all those statements by our leaders, including the current President Bush, that never again must such a thing be allowed to happen (usually this is said in the context of the Holocaust)?
4. What about an international response? What could make the United Nations more effective in these situations? What about the Criminal Criminal Court, which has dealing with genocide as part of its mandate? Why do you suppose the United States has refused to become a part of that court, just as we resisted for so long becoming a signatory to the international genocide convention?
5. Who do you think were the heroes of this horrible episode in human history, and what do you suppose gave them the courage to oppose the genocide?