Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Historical and Contemporary Debates on the Holocaust
School	Phil, Theology and Religion
Department	Theology and Religion
Module Code	09 37066
Module Lead	Isabel Wollaston
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites	LI Auschwitz in History and Memory - (09 28668)
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	The module introduces students to a range of historical and contemporary debates on the Holocaust. The focus is methodological, focusing on how this historical period is conceptualized, interpreted and studied, both as events were unfolding and subsequently. Examples of the debates and controversies studied will vary from year to year, but could include the emergence of different national approaches to the history and commemoration of the Holocaust; the adequacy and possible overlap between categories such as ‘victim’, ‘bystander’ and ‘perpetrator’; complicity, ‘privilege, the ‘grey zone’ and ‘choiceless choices’; approaches to survivor testimony; the nature of resistance during the Holocaust; Holocaust education; representing the Holocaust on film.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Analyse historical and/or contemporary debates on the Holocaust, identifying key points of controversy and how such debates can evolve over time; Compare and evaluate the main perspectives within the controversy or debate being discussed; Work in-depth with a variety of texts, both primary and secondary, potentially (depending on the choice of topic) within a range of genres; Work with a significant degree of learner independence to explain, analyse and evaluate the material under scrutiny.
Assessment	37066-03 : 2500 word Review of Key Text : Coursework (50%) 37066-04 : 3000 word Essay : Coursework (50%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 2500 critical reflection on a key text (50%) and a 3000-word essay (50%) Reassessment: Students would retake the failed component if this resulted in failing the module overall.
Other
Reading List