Payback time: historical injustices and reparations
What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.
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Reparations are a form of compensation for historical injustice. Among the more well-known reparation programmes are those for victims of the Nazi Holocaust and for Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. The call for reparations for historical injustices are growing ever louder on the ground that these injustices have filtered down through generations and have a direct and devastating impact on the present: enriching the descendants of the oppressors while continuing the trauma of the descendants of the oppressed. It is argued that without accounting for and materially addressing the accumulated impact of past harms, societies are destined to perpetuate them.
The course will start by discussing the meaning and purpose of reparations, look at the major reparation schemes and briefly review the international law regarding reparations. We will then investigate some of the main questions around the reparations debate: what are the arguments for and against reparations? Are reparations an adequate or viable solution to addressing past and ongoing harms? If so, what form should reparations take? To whom is the responsibility owed and who will bear the cost? How should the reparation schemes be designed? And who should be included in the reparations debate?
What will we cover?
- What are reparations? - Overview of the reparation schemes globally - Theories and arguments for and against reparations - Principles relating to state responsibility and reparation in international law - How reparation schemes should be structured?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Rework the reparations debate in a more nuanced and thoughtful manner - Understand how questions of race and national belonging have informed contemporary debates on reparations - Explore the connections between current realities of oppression and marginalisation and historical injustices - Discuss the way contemporary movements can -- or ought to -- address economic and social inequities between the Global North and South.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is introductory and everyone is welcome.
Even though prior knowledge of the subject of politics would be beneficial, there are no prior requirements or skills to the course. Having an interest to the subject matter and current affairs is important though.
A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be a combination of lectures, a wide range of PowerPoint slides and discussion and debates. A number of articles will be available for discussion purposes.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.
Tariq Hassan is an associate professor and has taught at several universities in London, the US, Pakistan and Ukraine. He has a background in economics and political science with degrees from London School of Economics and the University of California in Los Angeles alongside a long career as a consultant across several sectors. At City Lit, Tariq teaches courses that link politics, economics and history, exploring big questions with deep histories with a focus rooted in the Global South.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/payback-time-historical-injustices-and-reparations458632Payback time: historical injustices and reparationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/vm/African, African Diaspora and Black Studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage/Courses/vm/Issues Facing Our World228511771368611781907170012285165311771178What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.003062854Payback time: historical injustices and reparations7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/advanced-history-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekend2026-12-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allDec 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHPC1817979Payback time: historical injustices and reparations635179Tariq Hassanpayback-time-historical-injustices-and-reparations/hpc181-2627What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.0000-Available|2026-12-05 00:00:00Reparations are a form of compensation for historical injustice. Among the more well-known reparation programmes are those for victims of the Nazi Holocaust and for Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. The call for reparations for historical injustices are growing ever louder on the ground that these injustices have filtered down through generations and have a direct and devastating impact on the present: enriching the descendants of the oppressors while continuing the trauma of the descendants of the oppressed. It is argued that without accounting for and materially addressing the accumulated impact of past harms, societies are destined to perpetuate them.<br><br>The course will start by discussing the meaning and purpose of reparations, look at the major reparation schemes and briefly review the international law regarding reparations. We will then investigate some of the main questions around the reparations debate: what are the arguments for and against reparations? Are reparations an adequate or viable solution to addressing past and ongoing harms? If so, what form should reparations take? To whom is the responsibility owed and who will bear the cost? How should the reparation schemes be designed? And who should be included in the reparations debate?What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.- What are reparations?<br>- Overview of the reparation schemes globally<br>- Theories and arguments for and against reparations<br>- Principles relating to state responsibility and reparation in international law<br>- How reparation schemes should be structured?- Rework the reparations debate in a more nuanced and thoughtful manner<br>- Understand how questions of race and national belonging have informed contemporary debates on reparations<br>- Explore the connections between current realities of oppression and marginalisation and historical injustices<br>- Discuss the way contemporary movements can -- or ought to -- address economic and social inequities between the Global North and South.This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. <br><br>Even though prior knowledge of the subject of politics would be beneficial, there are no prior requirements or skills to the course. Having an interest to the subject matter and current affairs is important though.<br><br>A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.There will be a combination of lectures, a wide range of PowerPoint slides and discussion and debates. A number of articles will be available for discussion purposes.No additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View our otherPolitics, Economics and Current Affairs Courses in London & Online</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritagevirtual637951HPC181NONESat05/12/26 - 12/12/2610:30 - 13:1510:3013:152 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksWeekendKSKeeley StreetTariq HassanBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-12-05T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeDec 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Payback time: historical injustices and reparationspayback-time-historical-injustices-and-reparations/hpc181-2627What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.0000-Available|2026-12-05 00:00:00Reparations are a form of compensation for historical injustice. Among the more well-known reparation programmes are those for victims of the Nazi Holocaust and for Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. The call for reparations for historical injustices are growing ever louder on the ground that these injustices have filtered down through generations and have a direct and devastating impact on the present: enriching the descendants of the oppressors while continuing the trauma of the descendants of the oppressed. It is argued that without accounting for and materially addressing the accumulated impact of past harms, societies are destined to perpetuate them.<br><br>The course will start by discussing the meaning and purpose of reparations, look at the major reparation schemes and briefly review the international law regarding reparations. We will then investigate some of the main questions around the reparations debate: what are the arguments for and against reparations? Are reparations an adequate or viable solution to addressing past and ongoing harms? If so, what form should reparations take? To whom is the responsibility owed and who will bear the cost? How should the reparation schemes be designed? And who should be included in the reparations debate?What does a society owe to the descendants of people colonised, brutalised or otherwise exploited? The issue of financial compensation - reparations - to make amends for past horrors and their continuing harm remains complex and contentious.- What are reparations?<br>- Overview of the reparation schemes globally<br>- Theories and arguments for and against reparations<br>- Principles relating to state responsibility and reparation in international law<br>- How reparation schemes should be structured?- Rework the reparations debate in a more nuanced and thoughtful manner<br>- Understand how questions of race and national belonging have informed contemporary debates on reparations<br>- Explore the connections between current realities of oppression and marginalisation and historical injustices<br>- Discuss the way contemporary movements can -- or ought to -- address economic and social inequities between the Global North and South.This course is introductory and everyone is welcome. <br><br>Even though prior knowledge of the subject of politics would be beneficial, there are no prior requirements or skills to the course. Having an interest to the subject matter and current affairs is important though.<br><br>A good grasp of English, an open mind, and a willingness to listen to different views are all that is required.There will be a combination of lectures, a wide range of PowerPoint slides and discussion and debates. A number of articles will be available for discussion purposes.No additional costs, but you may wish to bring pen and paper for notetaking.<p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/politics-and-world-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">View our otherPolitics, Economics and Current Affairs Courses in London &amp; Online</a></p><p><a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/refer-a-friend" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Give a friend £20 off their first course</strong></a><br>And you will also get £20 off your next course over £99.</p>HistoryHistories, memories & heritageconfigurable
19071178Histories, memories & heritagehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/further-historical-studies1/2/285/1177/1178/19071/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Histories, memories & heritage
