Chosen Issues in Holocaust History from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Nazi Germany: 1933-1939

In this chapter, the first of the course, we will learn together with Professor Guy Meron about Nazi Germany between 1933-1939. The chapter begins with an overview of the state of European Jewry during the interwar years. It will explore the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi regime to power, as well as the implementation of anti-Jewish policies until the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

The Outbreak of World War II and Anti-Jewish Policies, 1939-1941

Under the direction of Professor Dan Michman, this chapter will focus on Nazi Germany's anti-Jewish policies, from the outbreak of the war until 1941. We will identify different regime patterns in countries under German occupation and their anti-Jewish policies. We will also learn about the so-called "Jewish Council" (Judenrat), the establishment of ghettos and the lives of Jews within and outside of them during the Holocaust.

The Formulation and Implementation of the "Final Solution", 1941-1945

Together with Dr David Silberklang, in this chapter, we will discuss the formulation and implementation of the "Final Solution". Dr Silberklang will explain different historiographical approaches to the development of the "Final Solution", will discuss Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union and the beginning of the mass murders. We will also explore the establishment of the death camps, as well as the life of prisoners in the various camps.

The Image of "the Jew" in Nazi Antisemitism - Visuals and Typology

In this chapter, Dr Robert Rosett will describe the development of antisemitism throughout the ages and the evolution of the image of the Jewish figure within it. We will explore modern, political and racial antisemitism in the 19th century, as well as Nazi ideology.

Key Stages in the History of World War II and The Deportations

Two main subjects are raised in Dr Joel Zisenwine lectures found in this chapter: The key stages in the history of world war II and the deportation of Jews to camps during the Holocaust.

The World After the Holocaust: Trauma, Memory and Culture

The issues discussed in this chapter are taken from Yad Vashem's learning center "Reflections After the Holocaust" , situated in the museum complex. The speakers include historian Prof. Omar Bartov, author David Grossman and Father Emile Shoufani and Holocaust survivor and journalist Roman Frister. The chapter consists of three sub-chapters, each containing one video lecture. Alongside them, you will find testimonies, original documents, discussion prompts, and primary and secondary sources.

Good to know

Know what's good

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Explores history of the Holocaust in detail, providing a comprehensive understanding of the events and processes involved

Taught by leading scholars in Holocaust studies, including Dr. Olga Ungar and Yuval Ovadia, bringing a wealth of expertise to the course

Provides a multi-modal learning experience with videos, readings, and interactive materials, catering to diverse learning styles

Examines the Holocaust from various perspectives, including Nazi ideology, Jewish life during the occupation, and the impact on subsequent generations

In-depth exploration of the Holocaust's implications for contemporary society, including issues of trauma, memory, and culture

Requires prior knowledge of the Holocaust and familiarity with historical methodologies and terminology

Reviews summary

Thought provoking holocaust history overview

Learners say this thought provoking course offers a wide range of expert opinions and primary source material on various issues related to Holocaust history. The inclusion of interviews with witnesses adds a heartbreaking and personal dimension to the course. While the lack of assessments or a certificate may be seen as a drawback, many students highly recommend this course for its engaging and informative content.

Course presents diverse perspectives and challenging questions.

"THANK YOU to all instructors, Coursera, and all involved in making this valuable course available. Rick"

"Excellent content delivered brilliantly. Facsinating, sometimes challenging questions are discussed ont his course."

"I learnt a lot from this curse. Thank you."

Course includes interviews with witnesses and other primary source material.

"Great opportunity to learn. Thank you so much!"

"The structure is easy to follow the opinions sources and lecturers are wide ranging and of superb quality."

"Especially interviews with witnesses were very heartbreaking."

Instructors are knowledgeable and well prepared.

"An outstanding course compiled by experts who are committed to teaching and sharing their extensive knowledge."

"The exposition of the proffesors were well prepared and with sustancial information and the other material."

"Each instructor in this course are great."

Course does not offer a certificate or graded assessments.

"I completed this course many months ago and cannot get it graded."

"This course doesn't support certificate or grades and because of it you can not complete this course like another one."

"A lot of interesting material there is in this course. Especially interviews with witnesses were very heartbreaking. Each instructor in this course are great. Highly recommend learning history of the Holocaust with them. But also I would like advice for creators of this course to add tests and quizzes. Such tasks help to remember and understand more and then check your knowledge and your progress."

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 Chosen Issues in Holocaust History with these activities:

Read Night by Elie Wiesel

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This book will provide you with a first-hand account of the Holocaust from a survivor's perspective. This will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the human experience during this dark period.

View One for Each Night: The Greatest Chanukah... on Amazon

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Read the book slowly and carefully
Take notes on the key events and themes
Consider the book's relevance to the course topics

Review Syllabus of the Course

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Familiarize yourself with the course's content and organization. This will help you to build a foundation for the material that will be covered in the course.

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Read the syllabus carefully
Identify the key topics that will be covered
Make a note of any unfamiliar terms or concepts

Explore the Yad Vashem website

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This website provides a wealth of information on the Holocaust, including survivor testimonies, historical documents, and educational resources. Exploring this website will help you to deepen your understanding of the Holocaust.

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Visit the Yad Vashem website
Explore the different sections of the website
Watch the survivor testimonies

Four other activities

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Participate in an online discussion forum

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Discussing the Holocaust with other students can help you to develop a better understanding of the topic and to hear different perspectives.

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Find an online discussion forum dedicated to the Holocaust
Read the discussions and participate in the conversations
Be respectful of other people's opinions

Create a digital notebook on the Holocaust

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This activity will help you to organize and review the materials that you have learned about the Holocaust.

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Collect all of the materials that you have gathered on the Holocaust, such as notes, articles, and videos
Create a digital notebook using a tool such as Google Docs or Evernote
Organize the materials into different sections, such as history, survivors, and impact

Write a short essay on the impact of the Holocaust on Jewish identity

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This activity will help you develop a deeper understanding of the complex and lasting effects of the Holocaust on Jewish identity.

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Research the history of Jewish identity before, during, and after the Holocaust
Identify the key factors that influenced Jewish identity during this period
Analyze the impact of these factors on Jewish identity in the present day

Design a lesson plan on the Holocaust for a high school history class

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This activity will help you to develop a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and how to teach it to students.

Browse courses on Holocaust Education

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Research the history of the Holocaust
Identify the key concepts and themes that you want to teach
Develop a lesson plan that is engaging and informative

Career center

Learners who complete Chosen Issues in Holocaust History will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Holocaust Historian

The Holocaust Historian researches, interprets, and writes about the Holocaust. In order to complete these tasks, a Holocaust Historian must have a strong grasp of the historical context, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This course provides Holocaust Historians with a rich trove of primary and secondary sources. The thoughtful discussion of these topics provides a helpful foundation for understanding the complex and varied aspects of the Holocaust.

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Museum curator

Museum Curators research, interpret, and display objects and artifacts in order to create exhibits that are informative and engaging. Holocaust Museum Curators must have a deep understanding of the Holocaust in order to do their job effectively. This course provides Museum Curators with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Museum Curators to create exhibits that are both accurate and thought-provoking.

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Secondary School Teacher

Secondary School Teachers in history or social studies will have the opportunity to teach about the Holocaust. A deep understanding of the events and ideas of the Holocaust is important for understanding many important historical and contemporary ideas and events. This course can help prepare Secondary School Teachers to teach about the Holocaust in a way that is accurate, engaging, and meaningful for their students.

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Archivist

Archivists collect, preserve, and make accessible historical documents. Holocaust Archivists must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to do their job effectively. This course provides Holocaust Archivists with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Holocaust Archivists to collect, preserve, and make accessible the documents that are essential to understanding the Holocaust.

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Journalist

Journalists report on current events and social issues. Many journalists cover topics related to the Holocaust, such as the rise of antisemitism, the ongoing impact of the Holocaust on survivors and their families, and the lessons that can be learned from the Holocaust. This course provides Journalists with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Journalists to report on Holocaust-related topics with accuracy and sensitivity.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers may work for organizations that provide services to Holocaust survivors or that promote Holocaust education. Nonprofit Managers must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to effectively lead their organizations. This course provides Nonprofit Managers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Nonprofit Managers to lead their organizations in a way that is both effective and respectful of the experiences of Holocaust survivors.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts may work on issues related to the Holocaust, such as developing policies to combat antisemitism or to provide support for Holocaust survivors. Policy Analysts must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to develop effective policies. This course provides Policy Analysts with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Policy Analysts to develop policies that are informed by the lessons of the Holocaust.

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Researcher

Researchers may study the Holocaust as part of their work. Researchers must have a thorough understanding of the research that has already been done on the Holocaust in order to identify gaps in knowledge and develop new research questions. This course provides Researchers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Researchers to build on the existing body of knowledge about the Holocaust and contribute new insights.

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Consultant

Consultants may work with organizations that are developing Holocaust-related programs or initiatives. Consultants must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to provide effective advice. This course provides Consultants with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Consultants to provide advice that is informed by the lessons of the Holocaust.

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Filmmaker

Filmmakers may create films about the Holocaust in a variety of genres, such as documentary, fiction, and experimental. Filmmakers must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to create films that are accurate and respectful. This course provides Filmmakers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Filmmakers to create films about the Holocaust that are both powerful and meaningful.

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Writer

Writers may write about the Holocaust in a variety of genres, such as fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Writers must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to write about it in a way that is accurate and respectful. This course provides Writers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Writers to write about the Holocaust in a way that is both powerful and meaningful.

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Educator

Educators may teach about the Holocaust in a variety of settings, such as schools, museums, and community centers. Educators must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to teach about it in a way that is accurate and respectful. This course provides Educators with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Educators to teach about the Holocaust in a way that is both informative and engaging.

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Lawyer

Lawyers may work on cases related to the Holocaust, such as cases involving restitution for Holocaust survivors or cases involving the prosecution of Holocaust perpetrators. Lawyers must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to effectively represent their clients. This course provides Lawyers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Lawyers to work on Holocaust-related cases with knowledge and sensitivity.

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Social Worker

Social Workers may work with Holocaust survivors or with people who have been affected by the Holocaust. Social Workers must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to provide effective support. This course provides Social Workers with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Social Workers to provide support that is informed by the experiences of Holocaust survivors.

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Psychologist

Psychologists may work with Holocaust survivors or with people who have been affected by the Holocaust. Psychologists must have a strong understanding of the Holocaust in order to provide effective support. This course provides Psychologists with a comprehensive overview of the Holocaust, including the events that took place, the policies that were implemented, and the impact on the victims. This foundation allows Psychologists to provide support that is informed by the experiences of Holocaust survivors.

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