This course aims to provide an understanding of the Holocaust by exploring its precursors, Nazi ideology, anti-Jewish policies, the Final Solution, and its legacy. Students will learn about anti-Semitism, eugenics, Volksgemeinschaft, terminology related to the Final Solution, and the portrayal of ordinary Germans involved. The teaching method includes lectures, readings, and discussions. This course is intended for learners interested in history, World War II, human rights, and genocide studies.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 Precursors?
- 1 Precursors?
- 1.1 The Holocaust: a unique event?
- 1.2 Anti-Semitism
- 1.3 Eugenics
- 2 Nazi ideology and anti-Jewish policies
- 2 Nazi ideology and anti-Jewish policies
- 2.1 Anti-Semitism and Hitler
- 2.2 Early anti-Jewish policies in the Nazi government
- 2.3 The significance of Volksgemeinschaft in Nazi ideology
- 3 War and the Final Solution
- 3 War and the Final Solution
- 3.1 Terminology used during the ‘Final Solution’
- 3.2 Plans for ‘resettlement’ of the Jews
- 3.3 Factors leading to the ‘Final Solution’
- 3.4 The mass production of death
- 4 Ordinary men? Ordinary Germans?
- 4 Ordinary men? Ordinary Germans?
- 4.1 The killers – portrayal and reality
- 4.2 Who to blame
- 4.3 The response of some of Germany's allies to Nazi anti-Semitism and the Final Solution
- 5 Legacy
- 5 Legacy
- 5.1 Relativising the Holocaust?
- 5.2 The aftermath of the Holocaust
- Conclusion
- References
- Acknowledgements
