Description

The aim of the course is to offer an introduction to the study of the Holocaust, the destruction of the European Jews, its causes and mechanisms. It will offer a basis upon which to seek answers to difficult questions, such as why this tragedy occurred. But, by surveying the circumstances and mechanisms leading to genocide, and especially to the Holocaust, students are also oriented in post-war interpretations and debates. A second aim is to introduce the effects of the Holocaust; in what ways has the Holocaust affected post-war political and cultural discourses, why did interest in this tragedy take so long to develop, and how did it come to occupy such a paradigmatic position in the contemporary West? Related to these questions is the third aim, which is to place the Holocaust in the context of other genocides, committed before and after.

Lectures, readings and seminars provide an overview of the Holocaust through empirical and chronological, theoretical and political as well as other perspectives. These are related to each other in order to provide a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of the Holocaust.

Further information

The course is given in our humanities and theology centre, LUX. This offers an exciting campus environment with a vibrant student life. Lund University has one of Sweden’s oldest and largest research library, and the library at LUX is one of 30 libraries within this network.

The course is given as a part-time course once a year, during the spring semester (day-time). The course is a free-standing course for beginners. It can be included in a first or second-cycle degree.