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Unit of study_

JCTC6100: Sites of Trauma, Landscapes of Genocide

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

Holocaust and genocide museums and memorials continue to grow in number and appeal. This unit tracks their evolution as a genre, the theoretical and political debates that have accompanied their development and their increasingly influential public and political roles. We examine both purpose-built institutions and those developed at former sites of mass murder, reflecting on how these sites of trauma both shape our understanding of past events and contribute to contemporary debates concerned with genocide prevention and other related issues.

Unit details and rules

Unit code JCTC6100
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Avril Alba, avril.alba@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Avril Alba, avril.alba@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Participation
Participation
10% - Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critical assessment
Critical assessment of your choice of Holocaust/genocide site
25% -
Due date: 26 Aug 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 07 Oct 2022
1500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Learning journal
Reflective journal demonstrating your ongoing learning process in this unit
15% Ongoing 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
Research essay
50% Week 10
Due date: 30 Sep 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 04 Nov 2022
3,500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

See Canvas site for a full description of assessment tasks

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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 Sites of Trauma, Landscapes of Genocide: An Introduction Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Landscapes of the Holocaust Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Australian Holocaust Memory: Case Study The Sydney Jewish Museum Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Remembering Genocide Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Remembering for the Future: Contemporary Challenges Lecture and tutorial (5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library LEganto system, available on Canvas.

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. Investigate and explain the historical and contemporary significance of Holocaust/genocide museum/memorial sites.
  • LO2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of current scholarly debates in the broad area of Holocaust/genocide memory and representation and in particular those relating to the former sites of mass murder as well as purpose-built memorial sites.
  • LO3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the relationship between group and/or national experiences of trauma and the development of museums/memorials through historical, theoretical, philosophical, and museological research.
  • LO4. Analyze the ethical debates surrounding the representation of genocide and mass violence and in particular their ramifications for the development of Holocaust and genocide museums/memorials.
  • LO5. Evaluate the above listed theoretical concerns in relation to a variety of practical examples.

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.

Presentations have been shortened and placed online in response to feedback. More diversity of sites will be considered.

Additional costs

Minimal per person cost for the SJM visit.

Site visit guidelines

We will visit the Sydney Jewish Museum during our unit. There will be a minimal per person cost for this visit.

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.