History of the Holocaust History of the Holocaust

The course explores the history of the Holocaust, the murder of Europe’s Jewry during World War II. We will discuss this event within the context of Jewish history in the 20th century. Further aspects will be discussions of the role of antisemitism, Jewish responses to the Holocaust, and how the world reacted to Hitler’s assault against the Jews. Other prominent subjects of the course are aspects of persecution, resistance, migration, of diaspora communities, of cultural transfer and global interactions. We will include new literature and debates about agency, perpetrators, victims and bystanders.

The students are required to read the primary source material as well as the literature in the core reading section before coming to class. The literature in the additional reading section is included in the study pack and can be read additionally, if possible. The further reading suggestions, which are available through ISIS, can be used for further reading, presentations, essays as well as projects.

Each student is required to write critical response papers, to lead a discussion about the primary source OR to give a 20 min presentation. The essay can be about the reading (i.e. analysis) or about a topic related to one session. The presentation should be about the primary source of one session and should supply additional information about the author, the context and significance of the source. The class will end with a take-home exam based on the assigned reading.