From Slavery to Holocaust: Violence in the History of the Modern World

Course Content:

This module will introduce students to the controversies and debates over various forms
of extreme violence that have been committed against groups of people in the modern
world and their longer-term consequences.

Beginning in 1492 with the development of a modern racism and antisemitism, it looks at
a number of cases in both the New and the Old World.

Cases to be examined will be selected from: the destruction of indigenous peoples in the
Americas and the subsequent development of American Slavery; and the destruction of
indigenous peoples in Australia and Africa in the pursuit of overseas empire and colony.

These will be compared to the global attempt in the middle of the 20th century by an
?advanced? modern state in Europe to annihilate a whole group ? the Jews in the
Holocaust, which will take up the second half of this module.

The module as a whole will encourage the critical analysis and assessment of the various
interpretations that have been put forward and facilitate the development of students?
research skills, ability to work together and communicate their ideas.

Autumn Semester:
? Introduction to the module
? 1492: The Birth of the Modern World
? The Legacy of Christopher Columbus
? Slavery in Africa and Its Impact
? The Slave Trade
? Slavery and the American Revolution
? Rebellions and Resistance
? Southern Society and Economy
? Civil War and Reconstruction
? Race Relations in the Progressive Era
? Civil Rights (1955-1964)

Spring semester: The Holocaust
? The roots of the Holocaust
? Racism and antisemitism
? The Nazi state and the Jews 1933-39 ? ?social death? at the hands of a modern state
? World war and the ?Final Solution?
? From mass shootings and ghettoisation to the extermination camps
? ?Liberation?? Antisemitism after the Holocaust
? The problem of intent
? The extent of participation
? The question of responsibility - perpetrators and bystanders
? Resistance and rescue

Teaching: Lectures and seminars

Assessment:
STUDY OPTION 1:
? 1,500-word essay (40%)
? 2,500-word essay (60%)
STUDY OPTION 2: Portfolio
STUDY OPTION 3: Portfolio

Study Option 1 = Whole Year
Study Option 2 = Autumn
Study Option 3 = Spring/summer