April 7

Test Rules and Preparation

• Test Timing: The test will start at noon on April 11 (Friday).
• No Communication: Students are prohibited from communicating with each other during the exam, including through platforms like Discord.
• Notes Requirement: Only notes collected before noon on April 11 are permissible. Missing notes must be acquired from fellow students prior to the exam.
• No Clarifications: The instructor will not assist with questions or confusions during the exam period.

Exam Format

• Cumulative Test: The test covers all parts of the course in a cumulative format.
• Format of Questions:
  • One essay question from different parts of the course.
  • Questions may be comparative, requiring specific cases mentioned throughout the course.
  • Students may need to address conceptual questions that involve discussing various case studies and theoretical leanings.

Content and Preparation Strategies

• Argument Development: The focus of the essay should be on the quality and logic of the argument rather than mere recitation of facts.
• Use of Sources: It is acceptable to refer to specific chapters or optional videos in casual citations without the need for formal references.
• Preparation Strategy: Aim to develop a coherent argument that synthesizes literature and case studies rather than a simple summary of lectures or notes.

Historical Context and Knowledges

• 22nd June 1959 - Good Friday Strikes: A significant period marking the beginning of tensions that would lead to unrest and ultimate civil conflict.
• Colonial Repercussions: The discussions surrounding elite based education access and its implications for economic entrepreneurship among the Rwandan populace.
• Tensions and Rebellion: The correlation between expectations of power transformation post-colonial rule and underlying frustrations leading to violence.

Rwandan Civil Context

• Colonial Power Dynamics: The transition leading up to independence in 1962 saw systemic shifts in power favoring the Hutu majority post-colonial governance.
• Political Party Formation: Hutu politicians and the creation of political parties aimed at reaffirming their control over the post-independent colonial structure began surfacing.
• Decolonization Movement: Global changes leading Africans, particularly in the context of Rwanda, to demand their rights and govern themselves.
• Growing Tensions: The aftermath of independence was marked by significant tensions and violence, reflecting broader patterns of struggle between Hutus and Tutsis.
• Winds of Change Campaign: An awareness and movement for Hutus to reclaim political relevance after years of Tutsi dominance sparked widespread violence and mass migration.

Patterns of Political Violence

• Public Order and Control: An understanding that violence is strategically deployed often as a means of sustaining power within the new Rwandan state system.
• Refugee Crisis: Consequences of political upheaval led to substantial outflows of Tutsis seeking refuge in neighboring regions as a result of systematic violence against their identity group.
• Democracy's Dark Side: An exploration of how Rwandan democracy was executed through a lens of exclusion and even reverting to notions of race-based quotas and policies leading to returning resentment.

Ideological Constructs

• Hutu Leadership Ideology: A focus on the ideological underpinning of the newly fortified Hutu identity as a reclaiming of ancestral roots following centuries of perceived oppression.
• Political Ideology and Racism: Historical context of how the Hutu ruling party established a narrative of internal versus external (Tutsi) adversaries, shaping policies and societal structures methodologically.
• The Role of External Influences: The impact of foreign interests and advocacy for democratization in influencing the internal dynamics of Rwandan politics.

Civil War and Human Rights Violations

• Tutsi Diaspora Dynamics: An understanding of how exiled Tutsis began organizing politically during Uganda's civil war to reclaim rights in their homeland.
• Civil Strife Reemergence: Launching a reevaluation of political alignments and national identity during civil disruptions, leading to renewed rebellion by Tutsi forces.
• Transition to Violence: The transition from the civil war leading directly to the 1994 genocide, marks a tragic and inhumane consequence of political and ethnic polarization.

Conclusion and Future Considerations

• Lessons From the Past: Emphasizes that understanding the intricate dynamics of Rwanda’s past can inform future studies in peace, reconciliation, and governance in post-conflict states.
• Need for an Inclusive National Identity: Encouraging a collective understanding of identity where all ethnicities can coexist, aiming toward a more politically equitable structure beyond rigid ethnic identifications.