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Unit outline_

JCTC3002: The Holocaust: History and Aftermath

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides an in-depth study of the Holocaust. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of Nazi ideology, in particular racial antisemitism, and the gradual implementation of this policy towards the Jews and other victim groups from 1933 to 1945. Other themes focus on the responses of the victims and the role of the by-standers, as well as post-war politics of memory and other issues, including Holocaust denial and war crimes prosecution.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture or 12 credit points at 2000 level in European Studies or 12 credit points at 2000 level in History
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Avril Alba, avril.alba@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Edwina Light, edwina.light@sydney.edu.au
Konrad Kwiet, konrad.kwiet@sydney.edu.au
Lynne Swarts, lynne.swarts@sydney.edu.au
Michael Robertson, michael.robertson@sydney.edu.au
Suzanne Rutland, suzanne.rutland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Avril Alba, avril.alba@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Michael Abrahams-Sprod, michael.abrahams-sprod@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation (online)
Ongoing
10% - Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Discussion board posts
Discussion board post
15% Multiple weeks 2x250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Research proposal/annotated bibliography
Research proposal/annotated bibliography
25% Week 06
Due date: 16 Sep 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 04 Nov 2022
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
Research essay
50% Week 12
Due date: 28 Oct 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 23 Nov 2022
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work demonstrates an excellent analytical framework discussed in depth and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a wide range of primary and secondary sources to excellent effect; provides a thoughtful and original discussion of well-chosen examples/case studies; makes skilled use of writing style appropriate to the task; shows a high level of creativity and critical thinking.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work demonstrates a sound analytical framework discussed to some depth and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a wide range of primary and secondary sources to good effect; provides a coherent and in-depth discussion of well-chosen examples/case studies; makes skilled use of writing style appropriate to the task; shows originality and depth of reflection.

Credit

65 - 74

Work demonstrates a sound analytical framework and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a good range of primary and secondary sources to good effect; discusses well-chosen examples/case studies in some detail; employs a clear and mostly correct writing style appropriate to the task; shows original and critical thinking.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrates at least a minimal analytical framework and engagement with the topic; a clear and coherent discussion in a writing style appropriate to the task; uses a limited but well-chosen range of primary and secondary sources and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of them; uses appropriate examples.

Fail

0 - 49

Work has no analytical framework and demonstrates insufficient engagement with the topic and primary and secondary sources; responses do not reflect the subject, are unclear or confused, and do not reveal an adequate understanding of the topic or sources.

 .

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What was the Holocaust? An Introduction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 02 ‘A People Apart?’ European Jewry prior to the Holocaust AND 1933-1939: The Years of Persecution: Antisemitism and Racism in the Nazi State Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 03 1939-1941: Invasion and Incarceration Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 04 1939-1941: The Ghetto Experience and the Jewish Family Guest Lecturer Dr Sharon Kangisser Cohen Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 1941-45: The Years of Extermination Operation Barbarossa and the radicalisation of the Final Solution AND Mass shootings: From “Ordinary Men” to Genocidal Killers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Non-Jewish victims of Nazi Persecution: The Euthanasia Program. (Aktion T4) and the pathway to Eichmann's Endlösung Guest Lecturers: A/Prof Michael Robertson and Dr Edwina Light Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Resistance and the Righteous Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 The Camp System and the Final Solution AND Life in the Camps: A Prisoner’s Perspective Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Debates and Dilemmas in Holocaust Historiography: The Holocaust and Genocide Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Holocaust Representation: Imaging the Holocaust Guest lecturer: Dr Lynne Swarts Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 11 War Crimes Trials AND Holocaust Denial in Australia: Guest lecturer: Professor Konrad Kwiet Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 12 The Ruins of Memory: Working with Testimony Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Week 13 On the Edge of the Diaspora: Australia and the Holocaust Guest Lecturer: Professor Suzanne Rutland AND The Holocaust Today: Contemporary Responses Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: students are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board which will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

Lecture Recording: Lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please refer to the Canvas site e-reserve for all readings

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of Jewish religion and practice as well as the Jewish historical experience over the longue durée.
  • LO2. Demonstrate specialised, in-depth knowledge of one or more aspects of Jewish civilisation, thought and culture (e.g. Holocaust history, modern Jewish thought, Israel studies).
  • LO3. Apply sophisticated theoretical tools to the study of Jewish civilisation, thought and culture including history (including intellectual history and transnational history), and/or religious studies.
  • LO4. Demonstrate thorough familiarity with and capacity to critically analyse, scholarly and non-scholarly resources available to scholars of Jewish civilisation, thought and culture.
  • LO5. Apply insights gained within Jewish civilisation, thought and culture to critically analyse current scholarship and engage confidently in critical debate in the broad disciplinary area.
  • LO6. Demonstrate sound competency in research-informed academic writing and referencing, as well as competency in other written genres such as reports and literature reviews.
  • LO7. Demonstrate interpersonal and communication skills, professional ethics and cultural competence.
  • LO8. Effectively apply skills and knowledge from the study of Jewish Civilisation, Thought and Culture to issues encountered in an interdisciplinary context.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on feedback from 2020, the unit has been restructured and more learning resources will be incorporated throughout the semester.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.