The Holocaust & Genocide

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

The twentieth century has been labelled the “Age of Genocide”. This subject will provide a detailed examination of the Holocaust, the archetype of modern genocide, and seek to place it within the broader comparative history of genocide and mass violence with case studies from Africa and the Asia Pacific region. The subject will also investigate the genesis and contested nature of the concept of genocide and examine key historiographical debates related to studies of the Holocaust, genocide and mass violence.

Students who complete this subject will:

• demonstrate a general knowledge of the key figures and significant events in selected examples of colonial and modern genocides with particular emphasis on the Holocaust;
• gain an understanding of the global historical context of twentieth-century genocides;
• demonstrate familiarity with the major historiographical debates concerning genocide and the Holocaust and develop insight into the practice of comparative history;
• learn to analyse primary and secondary sources in constructing historical arguments;
• demonstrate research skills using printed and electronic sources in preparation of a substantial research essay;
• develop skills of critical thinking through group discussion of subject readings and preparation of written assessment.

A short essay 1500 words 35% (due at mid-semester) and a research essay 2500 words 65% (due at end of semester).

Hurdle requirement: students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day; after five working days, no late assessment will be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Subject readings will be available online

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.