HIST2005 Hitler, the Holocaust and the Historians

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationMode
Not available in 2020UWA (Perth)Face to face
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 2 option in the History major sequence
  • The area of knowledge for this unit is Society and Culture
  • Category B broadening unit for students
  • Level 2 elective
Content
This unit focuses on the historiography of National Socialism. It explores two major discussions among historians: (1) How did National Socialism come into existence? Was it the result of a specific German deviation from the natural course of history or the very essence of modernity? (2) How did the horror of the industrialised killing of the Jewish population emerge as one of the central results of Nazi rule over Europe? Was it planned all along by Hitler and his henchmen, or was it the outcome of a cumulative process of radicalisation? Why did so many participate in this genocide and why was there so little resistance against it?
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) describe and assess the basic historiographical issues characteristic of the discipline of History through the example of the historiography of National Socialism and the Holocaust; (2) identify and evaluate the historiographical problems posed by the historical interpretation of National Socialism and the Holocaust; (3) demonstrate a detailed understanding of the history of modern Germany (1815–1945) as well as of Germany and Europe under National Socialism (1933–1945); (4) locate appropriate sources for research essays; and (5) present arguments in both written and oral assessments using the conventions of the historical discipline.
Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) workshop participation and presentation; and (3) essay. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.
Unit Coordinator(s)
Dr Giuseppe Finaldi
Unit rules
Prerequisites:
a Level 1 History unit
or
EURO1101 Europe Now: Cultures and Identities
or
GEND1901 Gender in Australia
Incompatibility:
HIST1122 History, the Holocaust and the Historians; HIST2237 German History from Bismarck to Hitler
Contact hours
lectures: 14 hours; workshops: 12 hours
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
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  • Books and other material wherever listed may be subject to change. Book lists relating to 'Preliminary reading', 'Recommended reading' and 'Textbooks' are, in most cases, available via the Booktopia Textbook Finder, which has the functionality to search by course code, course, ISBN and title, and may also be posted or available at the appropriate school's administrative offices. Where texts are listed in the unit description above, an asterisk (*) indicates that the book is available in paperback.