HIST 367 - The Holocaust

This reading- and writing-intensive course will explore one of the most tragic and transformative events of the 20th century: The Holocaust. Over the course of the semester, we will ask: What made the Holocaust possible? In what ways did Nazi genocide in the 1940s build on previous centuries of religious and racial prejudice? What factors shaped the way that people experienced the Holocaust? Why did so many people collaborate and how can we understand resistance and survival as complex and multi-faceted experiences? How can employing a global or comparative historical approach expand our understanding of the Holocaust? And finally, in what ways did the Holocaust bring about a revolution in human rights? Whenever possible, we will explore these questions through the first-hand perspectives. In addition to our shared course material, students will engage in their own independent research and writing projects. Throughout the semester we will work together to foster a supportive intellectual community. Meets the global and/or comparative requirement for the history major and can count towards the “Law and Social Justice,” “Race and Indigeneity,” or “Global/Comparative” fields. Prerequisite(s): One previous History course. Alternate years. (4 Credits)