MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Holocaust Studies

Course: HUM245

First Term: 2015 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Introduction to essential information about the Holocaust. Provides theological, social and political background to establish contexts of anti-Semitism, especially in 19th and 20th centuries, with particular attention to National Socialist ideologies. Ghetto and camp life, including resistance, are explored. Emphasis is on texts of the Holocaust, including historical documents, participant testimonies, fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry, much of which involves theological and moral debate. Includes analysis of supplementary visual material and some performing arts.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Trace and identify various types of background material for purportedly justifying anti-Semitism, with an emphasis on National Socialist ideologies. (I, V) 2. Define the Final Solution. (II, III) 3. Examine concepts of religion and culture in the context of the Holocaust. (I, II, III, IV) 4. Interpret a variety of primary sources - official, literary, graphic and artistic - regarding the experience of the Holocaust. (II, III) 5. Identify examples of recurrent themes, such as anti-Semitism, concepts of alienation, the. destruction of the self, and theological and moral dilemmas, in Holocaust literature and art. (III, IV) 6. Identify examples of resistance in Holocaust literature and art. (III, IV) 7. Analyze the creation and role of Holocaust literature, poetry, performing and visual arts by artists not directly involved in the Holocaust. (IV) 8. Identify typical arguments used by Holocaust deniers. (II, V) 9. Investigate and identify various resources where material for Holocaust study may be found, including libraries, online archives, museums and historical sites. (I-V)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Historical background of anti-Semitism A. Ancient and Medieval 1. Religious 2. Cultural B. 19th and Early 20th Centuries 1. Economic 2. Political 3. Scientific II. National Socialist Ideologies A. Use of historical prejudices B. Doctrine of Racial Purity III. Contemporary Holocaust material A. Official documents, and graphic material B. Journals and diaries C. Creative Non-Fiction D. Fiction E. Poetry F. Performing Arts G. Visual arts IV. Post Holocaust works A. Creative Non-Fiction B. Fiction C. Poetry D. Performing arts E. Visual arts V. The Holocaust and Beyond A. Rationales for study, including Holocaust Denial B. Dangers of generalizations

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: May 26, 2015

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.