We will discuss the background and origins of the Holocaust, including the legacy of anti-semitism in Christian Europe, the impact of World War I, Hitler's ideology, and the racial ideas of the Nazi state. We will then investigate the decision for and implementation of the Final Solution, with emphasis on the perpetrators, victims, and bystanders, as well as how the initially limited Nazi killings expanded into the Holocaust as we know it. Finally, we will examine the meaning of the Holocaust and explore its uniqueness.

Books:

• Yehuda Bauer, A History of the Holocaust. Donald Niewyk, The Holocaust.
• Christopher Browning, Ordinary Men. Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz.
• Richard Marius, A Short Guide to Writing About History. (Recommended)

Rather than write a general research paper I would like each student to pick a limited, highly focused topic and use, as much as possible, primary source materials (documents, diaries, memoirs, letters, trial transcripts, contemporary newspaper/magazine articles, etc.) to write a detailed analysis of your particular topic.

The library has fairly good resources of collected documents and other primary material, as well as relevant secondary sources, and the Internet is a very good source for documents and other primary sources. Just by way of illustration, topics could include, but are not limited to:

• -- Conditions of Jews in Germany (or other countries) in the 1930's.
• -- Anti-Jewish legislation in Germany (or other countries) in the 1930's.
• -- The decision-making process leading to the Final Solution.
• -- Living conditions in the Polish ghettos.
• -- Activities of the Einsatzgruppen.
• -- The German Army and the Holocaust.
• -- German industry and Jewish forced labor.
• -- Conditions in the concentration/extermination camps.
• -- Activities of the Judenr„te (Jewish Councils).
• -- Jewish resistance/partisan activities.
• -- The Final Solution in other European nations/attitudes in occupied Europe.
• -- The attitude/activities of the U.S./Great Britain toward refugees, to news of the Holocaust, to rescue proposals, or to proposals to bomb Auschwitz.
• -- Response of the Christian Churches to the Holocaust.
• -- War Crimes trials.
  For Undergraduates, the research paper should be roughly 6-8 pages in length (typed, double-spaced), while for Graduate Students it should be approximately 12-16 pages (typed, double-spaced). Please include a Bibliography and Footnotes/Endnotes.
  
  

  It is imperative that you get started on your research project as quickly as possible, so if you have any questions as to topics or the type of paper you wish to write, please don't hesitate to see me. The essence of good writing consists of two elements: 1) Have something to say; 2) Say it clearly. And remember, clarity of expression follows clarity of thought. Your research assignment will be graded on content, organization, and style. The final draft of your paper is due no later than: Friday, April 17.
  
  Analyses:
  

  Each student will be responsible for a 1 page analysis for five (5) of the 6 sections of the Niewykbook. In each of these analyses, tell me which of the interpretations you find most persuasive and why. Analyses should be turned in as we discuss that particular subject.
  
  Book Review:
  

  Each student will be responsible for a 4-5 page written review of Browning (due: 2/13) and a 4-5 page written review of Levi (due: 4/3). A "Guide to Writing Book Reviews" will be provided.
  
  

  Attendance is expected in upper division classes, but not required. You are, however, expected to keep current in the reading and are responsible for all information discussed in class. If there is any student in this class who has need for test-taking or note-taking accommodation please feel free to discuss this with me.
  
  Grades: Your grade will be based on the following:
  Research project 30%Reviews of Browning & Levi 30%Examinations (2) 30%Analyses of Niewyk 10%
  

  Topic and Reading

  
  Date

  1/12-   I. Background and Origins of the Final Solution
  2/6     A. Anti-Semitism in Germany/Europe.
          B. Germany after World War I: The Disorder of the Weimar Republic.
          C.  The Jews in Hitler's Ideology.
          D. The Racial State: Nazi Germany.
  
                      Bauer: ch. 1-4.
  
  2/9-   II. Implementation of the Final Solution: The Initial Phase
  3/9     A. The Evolution of Nazi policy: intentionalists v. functionalists. 
          B. Poland: Formation of the Ghettos.
          C. Life in the Ghettos.    
          D.  The Judenrat (Jewish Council): Collaboration or Resistance?
          E. The SS & Einsatzgruppen -- instruments of race war.
  
                      Bauer: ch. 5-8. 
                      Niewyk: ch. 1. 
                      Browning: all.-- Book review of Browning due 2/13.
  
  3/11 Mid-Term Examination
  
  III. Implementation of the Final Solution: The Death Camps
           A. Creation of the Death Camps.
           B. The Role of German officials/bureaucracies.
  
                      Bauer: ch. 9-10. 
                      Niewyk: ch. 4.
  
  3/16-3/20  Spring Break Holiday
  
  3/23- III. The Holocaust Experience
  4/8   A. Life in the Camps
        B. The Problem of Resistance
  
                      Bauer: ch. 11.
                      Niewyk: ch. 2-3.
                      Levi: All. -- Book review of Levi due 4/3.
  
  4/10 Good Friday Holiday
  
  4/13- IV. Bystanders 
  4/24  A. Attitudes in Germany & Occupied Europe.
        B. U.S. and British Responses.
        C. Rescue Through Delay and Negotiation.
  
                      Bauer: ch. 12-13.
                      Niewyk: ch. 5-6.
  
  4/27- V. The Holocaust in Perspective
  5/1   A. The "Meaning" of the Holocaust.
        B. Was the Holocaust Unique?
        C. Causes and Consequences of the Final Solution.
  
                      Bauer: ch. 14.
  
  5/6            Final Examination
  

  
  Last updated: The Ides of October, 1998