Sociology 415 - Topics in Sociology: The Sociology of Genocide and the
Holocaust.
Ben S. Austin - Office - PH 361
Phone - 898-2690
E-MAIL - baustin@frank.mtsu.edu
Webpage- http://www.mtsu.edu/~baustin/holo.html
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WEEK 1
LECTURE 1-1 - ORIENTATION TO THE COURSE
Required Texts: Milton Meltzer, Lest We Forget: The Jews and the
Holocaust, New York: Dell, 1977.
Martin Gilbert, Atlas of the Holocaust. New York:
William R. Morrow, 1993.
Additional Reading: Extensive readings from Internet sources and materials
on reserve in Todd Library (Indicated on Syllabus under
Schedule of Topics.
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PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE
The Nazi Holocaust against European Jews is easily the most
extensively documented and interpreted events in world history. There are
literally thousands of extant books, articles and films pertaining to this
subject. And the collection of primary documents waiting to be examined by
scholars is more extensive that those already examined. Consequently, this
course will barely scratch the surface of the immense body of data and
interpretation available. What is intended here is an introduction to
these materials and a brief historical outline of the events which they
chronicle.
The most conservative estimates place the human death toll of the
Holocaust at about 11 million: 6 million Jews and 5 million non-Jews).
These figures, of course represent only a fraction of total losses
resulting from World War II (approximately 50 million). What makes the
figures for the Holocaust so different from the others is their genocidal
character -- the rational, intentional effort to exterminate because of the
racial, ethnic or religious identity of the victims. Very simply, 6
million Jews were murdered because they were Jews. It is doubtful that any
real sense can be made of these realities; their very nature and magnitude
defy comprehension. Nonetheless, there is a moral obligation upon us as
contemporary representatives of humankind to make an attempt, however
feeble, at understanding the historical, social and psychological forces
which coalesced between 1932 and 1945 to turn the unimaginable into
devastating reality. The Holocaust stands as the one event in world
history which we cannot afford to forget. Milton Meltzer, in your textbook
observes, "That it happened once, unbelievable as it seems, means that it
could happen again. Hitler made it a possibility for anyone. Neither the
Jews nor any other group on earth can feel safe from that crime in the
future."
Some of the materials covered in this course are shocking and
disturbing. The utterly inhuman character of these events have the
potential of de-humanizing those who delve deeply into them. During the
course of study, should any of you feel the need for personal discussion of
feelings engendered by the readings and discussion, please do not hesitate
to bring it to the my attention.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To provide a historical overview of the Holocaust and the social,
political and economic conditions that created a climate in which
it could occur.
2. The familiarize students with the basic literature of the
Holocaust, methods of historical analysis and the processes by
which murder is rationalized.
3. To apply sociological principles and concepts (such as the
concepts of prejudice, discrimination, structural racism, social
movements and collective behavior) to a specific set of
historical events.
4. To confront, as social scientists, the ethical issues and
imperatives forced upon us by the Holocaust.
5. To examine the implications of the Holocaust for contemporary
cases of "ethnic cleansing" such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Rwanda,
Chiapas, etc.
6. To confront the issue of historical revisionism versus denial.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Attendance is, of course, required (see MTSU Student Handbook).
Since this course is based on materials which can only be
encountered through classroom presentation and discussion,
attendance for all class meetings is imperative. Also, since
this course meets only once per week, missing one class is
equivalent to missing an entire week of material. It will be
difficult to recover from an absence.
2. Examinations. There will be two examinations in this course -- a
mid-term and a final. Exams will be be almost exclusively in the
essay format. Some attention to term and concept definition will
be necessary. Students will be expected to read all the assigned
material and take careful notes on lecture presentations.
Examinations will focus on understanding rather than
memorization. Each examination will count one-fourth of your
final grade.
3. Internet accounts. All students in this course will be required
to have an internet account. If you do not have one,
instructions for opening one will be provided. Internet
literacy is the student's responsibility and must be gained
outside of class; however, individual instruction will be
provided if sought. This course will require each student to
access World-Wide Web materials. A home computer with internet
access would be ideal; however, there are adequate computer lab
facilities on campus with Internet access that this should not
pose a major problem for anyone. On a personal note, there is
absolutely no excuse for computer and Internet illiteracy among
contemporary university students!
4. Term Paper. Each student will be required to write a term paper
for this course. A list of topics will be provided; however,
students should not feel constrained by that list. Any topic,
however, must be approved by the instructor. The term paper will
count as one-fourth of your final grade. Specific requirements
for the paper are:
a. 12-15 pages (double spaced in normal type)- spell-checked!!
b. Minimum of 7 references.
c. ASA style (a style sheet will be provided).
d. An outline must be submitted for approval by mid-term (Feb.
19)
e. Finished paper is due on April 16
5. Class participation. Due to the nature of this course and the
issues it confronts, class participation is essential. Meaningful
class participation requires that assigned readings be completed
before coming to class!
6. Outside Readings - There are three pieces of outside reading.
The written reports will count one-fourth of your grade. Note
entries for Jan. 13, Mar. 24 and April 28.
7. Assigned Readings from Text Materials - It is important in any
course to keep up with the assigned reading, complete it before
each class, take careful notes on your reading, etc. However,
due to the seminar-like nature of this course, coming to class
prepared is critical. It will accomplish three things:
1. Enhance understanding
2. Enhance class participation -- particularly in the nature
of questions asked!
3. It will greatly increase the amount of material covered and
help assure that all the topics on the syllabus get the
required attention.
SOCIOLOGY OF GENOCIDE AND THE HOLOCAUST
DATE TOPIC READINGS*
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Jan 13 (1-1)Orientation to the course
(1-2)Introduction to Holocaust Studies
Chronology of the Holocaust (Austin)
Read Glossary of Holocaust Terms (Austin)
Holocaust: Memory and Theory Kurzweil***
Atlas, 10-11
20 MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY - No Classes
27 (2-1)Genocide - A survey of relevant sociological
concepts.
(2-2)Genocide - A conceptual Model for Analysis
Convention on Genocide (Austin)
Feb 3 (3-1)A brief history of the Jewish people
(3-2)European Jewish culture circa 1932 Atlas, 1-17
10 (4-1)Classical Antisemitism Meltzer, 1
(4-2)Christian Antisemitism
17 (5-1)Modern Antisemitism: Meltzer, 2
(5-2)Antisemitism and racial theory (Austin)
24 (6-1)World War I and its aftermath
(6-2)The rise of fascist ideology & politics Meltzer, 3
Atlas, 15-35
Mar 3 (7-1)Adolph Hitler and Nazi Fascism Meltzer, 4
(7-2)Lebensraum and Racial Purity Atlas, 18-25
The Nuremberg Laws (Austin)
***Outlines for Term Papers due tonight***
10 In-class portion of Exam 1
(8-1)Kristallnacht and the first steps Meltzer, 6,
toward the "Final Solution" (Austin)
Atlas 26-27
(8-2)The Emergent role of the SS
Mar 17 (9-1)The Concentration Camp System Meltzer, 7-10
(9-2)Sept.1, 1940 - The Invasion of Poland (Austin)
The Einsatzgruppen Atlas, 37ff
(Austin)
24 (10-1)World War II and the Holocaust (Austin)
(10-2)Deportation to the East Atlas 33-56
Choose 1 (Written report due Apr.14):
Elie Wiesel, Night
Otto Friedrich, The Kingdom of Auschwitz
Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning (1-148)
Primo Levi, Survival in Auschwitz
31 (11-1)The Wannsee Conference and Protocol (Austin)
(11-2)The Final Solution Meltzer, 10-11
Apr 07 (12-1)From Einsatzgruppen to Death Camps (Austin)
(12-2)The Rationalization of Murder Atlas, 95ff
(Nizkor)
14 (13-1)Genocide: Gypsies, Homosexuals,
Politicals (Austin)
Estimated Losses (Austin)
(13-2)Death Marches and Liberation Atlas,211-234
21 (14-1)Reactions to the Holocaust: Meltzer 14-17
Perpetrators, rescuers and Bystanders
(14-2)Righteous Among the Gentiles (Yad Vashem)
The Japanese Shindler -Chiune Sugihara (Austin)
***Term Papers Due tonight***
28 (15-1)The Holocaust and the Post-War World
The Nuremberg War Crimes Trials (Austin plus links)
and Subsequent Trials (Gutman)**
(15-2)Holocaust Denial and Deniers
May 5 Final Exam, 6:00 in the classroom (All material since
first Exam)
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*Reading assignments in parentheses refers to Internet sources -- (all of
which are accessible through my Holocaust Page).
**The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust (In the Reference section of Todd
Library) - Written Report due on Apr. 28.
***Article -- On Reserve in the Library (Written review is due on Jan 27)
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