The Final Solution to the Jewish Question from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Nazi Germany and the Jews

In this week, we will learn about the rise of the Nazi regime to power, about its policies and ideological visions. We will discuss steps taken against the Jews in Nazi Germany prior to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. We will also learn about the ghettoization.

The Development of the "Final Solution"

In this week, we will learn about how Nazi Germany began to implement the mass murder of Jews in the summer and autumn of 1941 and about the establishment of the first extermination camps in Nazi-occupied Poland. In this week, five renowned historians will present their view on how the “Final Solution” came about.

The Mechanism of Murder

In this week, we will analyze different Nazi state agencies and mechanisms engaged in the “Final Solution”. We will also deal with some fundamental topics, such as the role of Adolf Hitler in the "Final Solution", the Nazi power apparatus, and the German railway system.

The "Final Solution" in Local Context

In this week, we will discuss the implementation of the “Final Solution” in different regions of Europe and in different occupation and Nazi-allied zones, examining how different historical contexts influenced the stages of the murder of the Jews.

The "Final Solution" - Chosen Topics

In this week, we will analyze some additional topics, such as the image of the perpetrators, the place of forced labor and the nature of Jewish resistance to Nazi oppression. We will also ask the question of what the world, the Germans, and the Jews themselves knew about the Nazi plan for their extermination.

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Offers comprehensive study of Nazi Germany's plan to annihilate Jews during WWII

Provides analysis by prominent researchers in the field

Examines the development and implementation of the Final Solution in various contexts

Covers historical events, theories, and controversies surrounding the Holocaust

Suitable for advanced learners with a background in Holocaust studies

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Final Solution to the Jewish Question with these activities:

Revisit basic European history

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Solidify your knowledge of European history to appreciate the context of Nazi Germany and its policies

Browse courses on European History

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Review key events in European history, focusing on the 19th and 20th centuries
Identify the major powers and their alliances in Europe during the interwar period

Read 'The Holocaust: A History' by Laurence Rees

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Gain comprehensive insights into the origins, implementation, and consequences of the Holocaust

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Read the introduction and opening chapters to establish the historical context
Summarize the key stages of the 'Final Solution' as presented in the book

Explore the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website

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Supplement your learning with interactive resources and witness testimonies

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Visit the 'Holocaust Encyclopedia' section for in-depth articles
Watch video testimonies of Holocaust survivors and liberators

Four other activities

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Create a timeline of events leading to the Holocaust

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Synthesize your knowledge and visualize the progression of events that culminated in the Holocaust

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Research key events and milestones in the Nazi regime
Construct a timeline using a visual aid like a chart or infographic

Participate in a discussion forum on the ethical implications of the Holocaust

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Engage in critical thinking and develop an understanding of the moral dilemmas surrounding the Holocaust

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Join or create a discussion forum on an online platform
Share your perspectives and engage in respectful dialogue with fellow participants

Connect with researchers or historians specializing in Holocaust studies

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Gain access to expert insights, guidance, and potential research opportunities

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Identify potential mentors through professional organizations or academic institutions
Reach out via email or attend conferences and workshops to introduce yourself

Write a reflective essay on the lessons learned from the Holocaust

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Internalize the profound lessons of the Holocaust and contemplate their relevance to contemporary society

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Brainstorm key insights and lessons from the course materials and supplementary resources
Craft a well-structured essay that explores the implications of the Holocaust for present and future generations

Career center

Learners who complete The Final Solution to the Jewish Question will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum Educator

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust, so you can effectively teach about this atrocity to a wide range of museum patrons. Museum educators are typically responsible for organizing, leading, and giving tours, and this course can help you give historically accurate and engaging tours about the Holocaust.

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Curator

This course will provide you with the background that you need on the Holocaust that you need to curate exhibits about it or to help to advise others in your organization about the appropriate way to present information, such as artifacts, about the Holocaust. Curators may also develop museum exhibits, and this course can help you make informed decisions about what to include.

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Archivist

This course will give you a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust. This can help you to organize and maintain historical archival documents related to the Holocaust, such as records of Nazi organizations or personal accounts of survivors. Archivists typically have a master's degree in library science or a related field, and this course may be useful to supplement prior coursework.

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Historian

This course will provide you with an in-depth look at the history of the Holocaust. This will help you to conduct research and write about this event. Historians may need a master's degree or phd, depending on the subfield in which they work.

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Journalist

This course will give you a detailed overview of the history of the Holocaust. This can help you to report accurately about this event. You may also work with survivors of the Holocaust or descendants of survivors, and this course will give you a context for these interactions.

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Teacher

This course will provide you with a detailed overview of the history of the Holocaust. This knowledge can help you to teach about this event so that the next generation can learn about the dangers of hatred and discrimination. Teachers may need to have a bachelor's degree or a teaching certificate, depending on the state in which they teach.

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Social Worker

This course will help you build a foundation in the history and impact of the Holocaust. This can help you to support clients who are survivors of the Holocaust or who are experiencing trauma related to the Holocaust. Social workers typically need a master's degree in social work.

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Psychologist

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Sociologist

This course will provide you with the background that you need to conduct research related to the Holocaust. This can include effects of witnessing genocide on generations of survivors, and the ways in which societies grapple with past atrocities. Sociologists need a master's degree or phd.

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Political Scientist

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust. This will help you to better understand the political aspects of the event, and provide context for your research in political science.

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Theologian

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust. This will help you to better understand the religious aspects of the event, and provide context for your research in theology.

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Anthropologist

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust. This can help you to conduct research into various aspects of the Holocaust, and explore topics such as the evolving definition of genocide.

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Lawyer

This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust. This can help inform your work, and ensure that you approach cases with cultural sensitivity if you work with Holocaust survivors or their descendants.

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Writer

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust. This knowledge can help you to ensure that the work that you produce is historically accurate if you choose to write about the Holocaust.

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Filmmaker

This course provides a detailed overview of the Holocaust. This knowledge can help you to ensure that the work that you produce is historically accurate if you choose to make documentaries about the Holocaust.

See salaries and explore the career path for Filmmaker