Course Syllabus

Week 1

Read Chapter 1 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

See the videos in the Week 1 module.

This website is a useful resource:http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/history.html

Participation

1. Please post an introduction in the introductions thread by Thursday at 11:59 p.m.. As part of your introduction, please share what you hope to gain from the class. Also, as part of your intro, please tell us what preconceptions you have about the Holocaust. What do you think has helped to form those preconceptions?
2. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
3. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 1 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. As part of your response, comment on major historical developments detailed in the chapter that led to the rise of Hitler (meets EO 1). By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.

Responses should summarize the chapter, highlight any areas of confusion, raise questions, and even challenge ideas presented in the chapter.

Week 2

Read Chapter 2 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 2 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 2 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. As part of your response, comment on what you see as the most important developments detailed in the chapter that helped enable the Holocaust (meets EO 1). By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Please read this article in theNew York Times:https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/opinion/nazis-holocaust-disabled.html?_r=0(Links to an external site.)(Links to an external site.) What are your reactions to it? Please post your reactions in the New York Times article reading responses thread by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Have replied to a classmate’s post by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. (meets EOs 4 and 5)

Week 3

Read Chapters 3 and 4 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 3 module.

articipation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 3 and 4 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. As part of your response, articulate the key ideas of National Socialism, Mussolini and Fascism as explained in Dwork and philosophical ideas that you have seen this far that contribute to the rise of Nazism (meets EOs 2 and 3). By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Visithttps://holocaustsurvivors.org/av-aids/photo-gallery/(Links to an external site.)Select at least four photos to view.
   In the photo discussion thread, Tell us about the photos. What do they have to offer us after all these years? Post your response by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Have replied to one classmate’s posting by Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 6.

Week 4

Read Chapter 5 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

SeeThe Pianist(on Netflix, or can be rented on Amazon Prime for $3.99:https://www.amazon.com/Pianist-Adrien-Brody/dp/B0026IQYEU(Links to an external site.))

View/read all resources in the Week 4 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 5 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EOs 1 and 2. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. See and be prepared to discuss The Pianist. In the film discussion thread, contribute a well developed assessment of what you think the film contributes to Holocaust studies and how it achieves its purposes. Please also discuss what you think, after seeing the film, was/were the most important factors in Szpilman's survival. Roughly 250 words. Meets EO 6 Post your response by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Have replied to one classmate’s posting by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 5

Read Chapter 6 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 5 module.

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 6 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 4. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Research at least one other genocide since the Holocaust. Explain it briefly to us; in what ways is it similar to and different from the Holocaust? Cite at least two credible college-level sources (full MLA citations; a URL is not sufficient).Meets EO 7. Additionally, comment on the most important points you learned from the World Without Genocide site and the two videos. Post your work by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Reply to at least one classmate by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 6

If you haven’t started readingWhat We Knew,start now; we are discussing it in Week 8.

Read Chapter 7 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

SeeDefiance(On Netflix, or available from Amazon for $3.99:https://www.amazon.com/Defiance-Daniel-Craig/dp/B0095D3ZO6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=defiance&qid=1629993647&s=instant-video&sr=1-2(Links to an external site.))

View/read all resources in the Week 6 module.

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 7 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 4. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes. Meets EO 4.
3. See and be prepared to discussDefiance. In the film discussion thread, contribute a well developed assessment of what you think the film contributes to Holocaust studies and how it achieves its purposes. Also consider the following questions: Do you think the Bielskis were justified in how they treated collaborators? What do you think about the statement that the Bielskis were “sometimes as vicious as the Nazis”? In the context of the Holocaust, what ethical questions arise? Roughly 250 words. Meets EO 6. Post by Saturday at 11:59 p.m.; reply to a classmate by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 7

Finish readingWhat WeKnew (we are discussing it next week).

Read Chapters 8 and 9 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 7 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Chs 8 and 9 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EOs 4 and 5. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. SeeDer Ewige JudeandTriumph of the Will(links in the module).Warning:Der Ewige Judeis a hatefilm.Startby reading the handout "Der Ewige Jude" (please read this BEFORE seeing the film).http://www.holocaustresearchproject.org/holoprelude/derewigejude.html
   (Links to an external site.)(Links to an external site.)

Also, please read this paper that focuses in particular on the psychological components, especially on two scenes that are disturbing: Jewish people equated to rats coming out of a sewer and the "kosher slaughter" scene:

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/44639/10810_2004_Article_227864.pdf;jsessionid=C0CF78657221737FC1547368369F0FE9?sequence=1(Links to an external site.)(Links to an external site.)

Der Ewige Judeis an infamous Nazi propaganda film. Why was this film created; what was its purpose at the time? What does it tell us about the world view of its creators? Select one scene and explain how it is propaganda and how it is designed to foster hatred. Today it is considered a cult film amongst neo-Nazis. Explain why it is still dangerous as a tool of hatred. Additionally, share insights you gained about film as propaganda from watchingTriumph of the Will.Meets EOs 5 and 6.

Roughly 250 words. Post by Saturday at 11:59 p.m.; reply to a classmate by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 8

Have readWhat We Knew

View/read all resources in the Week 8 module.

BY NOW YOU SHOULD BE STARTING YOUR LEARNING PROJECT

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response toWhat We Knewby Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EOs 4 and 5. As part of your response, consider the following questions: What do we learn from the book about how people can be maneuvered into condoning and even collaborating with evil? If we perceive acts of evil and feign ignorance, are we collaborators? Do the perpetrators described seem like psychopaths, bureaucrats, or just "normal" people of their time? What understandings can we gain about the culture of Germany at the time and Nazi thinking from the book? By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. How can we connectOne Day in Auschwitzand the Franz Suchomel interview with the ideas inWhat We Knew?What do we learn about human experiences in the Holocaust from these two videos? Meets EO 6. Due Saturday by 11:59 pm; reply to at least one classmate’s post by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 9

Read Chapter 10 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 9 module.

Reading and viewing

Read Chapter 10 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 9 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 10 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EOs 4 and 5. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Visit one of the following audio galleries:

Fortunoff video testimonies, Yale:https://editions.fortunoff.library.yale.edu/(Links to an external site.)

British Library survivor testimonies:https://www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/voices/testimonies/survivors.html(Links to an external site.)

Voices of the Holocaust, Illinois Institute of technology:https://voices.library.iit.edu/solr-search/content?search_api_fulltext=(Links to an external site.)

Select at least four interviews (more are fine) and listen to them.

Discuss: what do you learn from these interviews (identify the ones you listened to) and the video of Alice Sommer, and how does listening to the survivor’s voices affect your understanding? Meets EOs 4, 5, and 6. Post your comments by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Reply to at least one classmate’s comments by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 10

Read Chapter 11 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 10 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 11 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. As part of your response, take a position: were Nazi atrocities possible for the world to predict, or not? Support your position with facts/evidence from the book and other resources we have used. Meets EO 4 and 5. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Research discussion: Go to the Hartness Library online. Once there, go to the Academic Search Premier (EBSCO) database. Choose one of the following articles:

• Monroe, Kristen Renwick. "Cracking The Code Of Genocide: The Moral Psychology Of Rescuers, Bystanders, And Nazis During The Holocaust."
• Navarick, Douglas J. "Historical Psychology And The Milgram Paradigm: Tests Of An Experimentally Derived Model Of Defiance Using Accounts Of Massacres By Nazi Reserve Police Battalion 101."
• Stargardt, Nicholas. "The Troubled Patriot: German Innerlichkeit In World War II

What do you learn from your article about social and psychological factors of Nazism? Explain. Connect any point from the video. Meets EO 2. Post your work by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Reply to at least one classmate by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 11

Be readingMaus: It is coming up in week 13

As well, be well into your learning project; it is coming up in week 14.

Read Chapter 12 in Dwork's bookHolocaust: A History.

View/read all resources in the Week 11 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 12 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 4. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Government discussion: Many citizens trust legislators (government officials). Many also believe laws are essential to follow. Think about the progression of laws and government statements and actions in Germany that led toward the Holocaust. What kinds of laws have been passed and what kinds of statements have been made by governmental officials here in the U.S. that did or could promote hatred and violence toward particular ethnic or religious groups? Given the evidence, do you think the US is immune from genocide? Why or why not? Resources in the module will help, but feel free to seek out additional college-credible resources. Support your ideas with evidence and of course cite your evidence. Post by Saturday at 11:59 p.m.; reply to a classmate’s post by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

NEXT WEEK IS THANKSGIVING BREAK

Week 12

Thanksgiving week, no readings

Participation

1. By the end of the week, contribute to the page set up in the module. Add your name and a description of the learning project you have chosen. What is your focus/topic? How far along are you?

Week 13

Finish Maus: It is coming up next week.

As well, be well into your learning project; it is coming up in week 15.

Read Chapter 13 in Dwork's book Holocaust: A History.

Rent and see the film Six Million and One, $3.99 on Amazon:https://jfi.org/watch-online/jfi-on-demand/six-million-and-one(Links to an external site.)

View/read all resources in the Week 12 module.

Participation

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Ch 13 in Dwork by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 4. By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Film discussion: What do we learn from Six Million and One and The Nazi Officer’s Wife about the effects of the Holocaust on descendants of the survivors as well as on survivors? Meets EOs 4 and 6. Support your ideas with evidence. Post by Saturday at 11:59 p.m.; reply to a classmate’s post by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Week 14

Maus

View/read all resources in the Week 14 module.

As well, finish your learning project; it is due next week.

1. In the "Your discussion questions" thread, please raise a discussion question by Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Please reply to the discussion questions of at least two peers by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
2. In the reading response thread, write a response to Maus by Friday at 11:59 p.m. Meets EO 6. In your response, explain how the comic style helps to tell the story of the Holocaust. Does it trivialize the Holocaust? Why or why not? By Sunday at 11:59 p.m., have replied to the reading response of at least one classmate. Feel free to ask questions, to agree, to disagree, or to probe ideas in your reply to your classmate. Use paragraphs; use in text citations to cite quotes.
3. Historikerstreit discussion: Read “Throwing Off Germany’s Imposed History” in the module. What do you think about Dr. Nolte’s views? Find, summarize (and cite) at least one other article on Historikerstreit and connect it to this one. Meets EO 8 . What might Nolte see as a U.S. historical "legend" given his views? Meets EO7. Due by Saturday at 11:59 p.m. Please respond to at least one classmate by Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Learning project and wrapping up

No New readings