Fall Semester 2005
Dr. Goldstein
Pafford 206
I. INTRODUCTION
Learning outcomes and major topics you will become familiar with by
the end of this course: This
course is about an historical event which is described on a memorial at the
Buchenwald,
Although techniques of mass destruction will be discussed in this course, they will not be the course’s major focus. The course will emphasize the meaning of genocide as an attempt to obliterate an entire civilization, specifically that of the Jews. In the case of Central and Eastern European Jewry, where the Holocaust was largely successful, we will consider precisely what that civilization was before 1939, in order to comprehend the magnitude of its destruction. And we will deal extensively with the roots of the Holocaust: anti-Semitism before 1939. After covering details of the destruction of European Jewry, we will deal with the post-World War Two impact of the Holocaust.
The course will deal with the rise of Hitler and the nature of National Socialism; the implementation of the ghetto, concentration camp and extermination camp system; and the varied experiences of government officials, diplomats, camp inmates, survivors, resistors, perpetrators, bystanders, and rescuers. You will be reading from a variety of texts. There will be two required books which all students will read; one outside book to be selected from a list of books on the Holocaust that will be distributed in class; and a variety of handouts which will be distributed in class and which all students will read.
Differences between History 4420 and 5420: Graduate students taking History 5420 are receiving higher credit, that is to say graduate rather than undergraduate credit, for taking this course than are undergraduates. Therefore graduate students taking History 5420 will have a much harder and longer midterm exam, a much harder and longer final exam, and a much harder and longer term paper than undergraduate students taking History 4420. Those are the very significant differences between History 4420 and 5420.
II. COURSE ADMINISTRATION
Office hours: Beginning Monday, August 29, office hours will be held in TLC Room 3207 immediately after each class, Tuesdays from 8:05 PM to 10:05 PM; Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:05 to 9:35 PM; and by appointment. Students who have questions or concerns about their performance in class or on tests or who would like simply to confer should take it upon themselves to see the professor. If you have any problems or questions please do not hesitate to come by TLC Room 3208 or telephone at 678-839-4898 or 6508 and leave a message.
Methods of Instruction: The course will be taught through lecture, discussion, and possibly outside speakers and an occasional film. I encourage you to ask questions and raise issues. We have flexibility in our schedule and can take time to discuss issues you may raise.
Grading Policies:
There will be one mid-term examination during the course of the term and
a final examination at the end of the course.
These examinations will cover lecture material plus assigned
readings. The exact scope and form of
the exams will be announced at the appropriate time.
Each student must do a book review, details to be provided. Grades will be determined as follows:
Midterm 25 percent
Book Review 25 percent
Final Exam [Tuesday, Dec. 13,
Reading quizzes and other miscellaneous assignments 25 percent
Consistent with college regulations,
graduating seniors will not be obligated to take the final exam in this
course. If you wish to omit your final
exam please let the professor know at least one week before it is scheduled to
be given. In that case your course grade
will be the prorated average of all other grades in this course calculated
as: midterm 33%, term paper 33%, and
quiz average 33%.
III. TEXTS AND REQUIRED MATERIALS
There are two required texts for this course:
Yehuda Bauer, A History of the Holocaust. PAPERBACK. Revised 2001 edition only.
Elie Wiesel. Night.
There also will be a number of xeroxed handouts distributed during the course for which you will be responsible.
IV. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular class meetings: Attendance will be taken. Since we have only seventeen class meetings, it is most important that everyone attend each class session. Anything above two absences in this class will be considered grounds for dismissal. Leaving class early constitutes an absence, and two latenesses are the equivalent of one absence. It should be made very clear that (a) students are responsible for all material presented in class; (b) examinations will be based substantially on this materials; and (c) a positive attitude shown by an absence of cuts and lateness can work to raise a student’s letter grade in borderline grading situations.
Examinations: Attendance at all announced examinations is required. Except under very exceptional circumstances, make-up examinations will not be allowed unless the student is excused before the regular exam time for legitimate reasons.
V. CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE AND OTHER COURTESIES: Out of courtesy to those students trying hard to concentrate, please refrain from smoking, drinking, eating, nail polishing, and chewing gum during class. Please do not bring children to class. PLEASE DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES, AUDIBLE PAGERS, OR ALARM WATCHES TO CLASS. It is not sufficient to say “Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to turn off.” The student in front of you, behind you, or next to you may be on probation and must do well in this course. It is therefore essential that we have a positive learning environment in the classroom.
VI. ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE. A detailed assignment schedule and list of
books that can be chosen for the required book report will be distributed on
the first day of class. The date of the
final exam, as stipulated in the fall semester bulletin, will be Tuesday, Dec.
13, from