Overview

Eleven weekly 2h-sessions will consist of a combination of short introductory lectures, student presentations and seminar discussions, integrating guided reading, prepared reading and study assignments. The module is strongly student-centred and requires weekly reading of historiographical and theoretical texts. The module may include, but will not be limited to the following contents: text analysis of key documents such as Hitler’s speech of January 30, 1939 and the ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’, historical analysis of the development of antisemitism from 1879 to 1933, the November Pogrom of 1938, the role of gender for antisemitism and the Holocaust, as well as a series of theory-driven interpretations of antisemitism and the Holocaust (including Friedlander, Burrin, Arendt, Postone, Adorno and Horkheimer. Other sessions will address the debate on the representability of the Holocaust and the debate on ‘new’ antisemitism.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -C- to C+ (50-59%)To pass the module, students must demonstrate a theoretically informed understanding of the relationship of antisemitism to the Holocaust, some ability to reflect on the larger historical context and the contemporary relevance of both, to relate this to substantive research, and basic competence in applying the methods used in theoretical explanation of historical phenomena using source materials. Students must demonstrate basic awareness of relevant concepts and be able to express themselves in scholarly form. -good -B- to B+ (60-69%)Good students will be able to demonstrate a clear, theoretically informed understanding of the relationship of antisemitism to the Holocaust, good ability to reflect on the larger historical context and the contemporary relevance of both, to relate this to substantive research, and sound competence in applying the methods used in theoretical explanation of historical phenomena using a variety of source materials. Students must demonstrate good awareness of relevant concepts, be able to undertake independent library-based research on a particular problem or question and express themselves in scholarly form. -excellent -A- to A* (70% +)Excellent students will be able to demonstrate a mature, theoretically informed understanding of the relationship of antisemitism to the Holocaust, excellent ability to reflect on the larger historical context and the contemporary relevance of both, to relate this critically to substantive research, and a high level of competence in applying the methods used in theoretical explanation of historical phenomena using a variety of source materials. Students must demonstrate excellent awareness of relevant concepts, be able to undertake independent library-based research on a particular problem or question and construct complex written arguments in scholarly form.

Learning Outcomes

• analyse and interpret a historical event in different social and historical settings using a variety of source materials;

• construct complex written arguments in scholarly form

• locate analysis and conceptual awareness within an overall understanding of historical and societal context;

• reflect critically on the relationship of antisemitism to the Holocaust, reflect on the larger historical context and the contemporary relevance of both.

• undertake independent library-based research on a particular problem or question;