A minor in Holocaust studies can be pursued in conjunction with any major. The study of the Holocaust offers more than an opportunity to acquire knowledge about a singular historical event. It provides students with an opportunity to examine a range of broader issues, such as antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, militarism, homophobia, and the formation and functioning of stereotypes. It provides important insight into behaviors such as obedience to authority, conformity, altruism, and civil courage. A consideration of the bureaucratic methods employed by the Nazi regime to systematically identify, isolate, and eliminate large populations addresses questions about the potential for the abuse of power by governments.

The responses of Jews, Jewish institutions, and others subjected to Nazi policies have implications for our understanding of how individuals and groups respond to persecution. Finally, the ways in which the Holocaust is remembered and memorialized in different national and cultural contexts serves as a useful case study of how collective memories of important historical events emerge and evolve over time.

Study Abroad Experience Leads to Deep Perspectives on the Holocaust

Sherbrook poses by a tree

Alex Sherbrook ’17 was disappointed about missing her spring commencement at UVM, but she still wouldn’t trade it for her final semester of college in Augsburg, Germany. In German universities, the semester begins in April and ends in late summer, so she had to wait until September to finally collect her UVM diploma.

“My classes were all in German and there wasn’t as a big of an emphasis on homework as there is in our system, so It was a really big adjustment. But I’m really glad I did it.”

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David Scrase Student Research Grants

These grants honor the contributions of David Scrase, professor emeritus of German, during his long service as the founding director of the Center for Holocaust Studies at UVM. Grants are available to UVM students -- both graduate and undergraduate--who are pursuing serious research projects related to the mission of the Center for Holocaust Studies. Priority will be given to students working on major research projects, such as an MA thesis, an undergraduate senior thesis, or a research-intensive independent study. Read more information on this opportunity on our graduate study page.

Requirements for the Minor

Prerequisites:

  • HST 1715, "Modern Europe"
  • Two semesters of German (another European foreign language may be substituted with the approval of the director).

Course Requirements:

  • 18 hours of relevant coursework, which must include HST 2670/"Modern Germany" and HST 2790/"The Holocaust"
  • 9 hours must be at the 2000 level or above.
  • No more than three hours may come from classes also used to fulfill a major.

Approved Courses:

The minor in Holocaust Studies is interdisciplinary, and the following courses may be applied. "Special Topics" courses in a variety of disciplines may also count toward the minor in Holocaust Studies. These courses are listed on the Schedule of Courses on a semester-to-semester basis.

  • FTS 2460/"The Holocaust in Film"
  • GERM 3643/"Guilt and Shame in German Literature"
  • HS 1990/Special Topics in Holocaust Studies
  • HS 2990/Special Topics in Holocaust Studies
  • HS 3991/Internship
  • HS 2993/Independent Study
  • HS 3995/Undergraduate Research
  • HS 4990/Special Topics in Holocaust Studies
  • HS 4994/Teaching Assistantship
  • HST 2240/"World War II"
  • HST 2750/"History of Poland"
  • HST 2792/"Jews in Modern Europe"
  • HST 4790/"Topics in Holocaust History"
  • SOC 2220/"Sociology of the Holocaust"
  • WLIT 1155/"Italians and the Holocaust"
  • WLIT 1150/”Topics in Holocaust Literature in Translation”

Worldly Perspective

The UVM Miller Center for Holocaust Studies sponsors many public lectures, colloquia, and other events on the UVM campus. Students minoring in HS are encouraged to attend these events, where they can hear and meet prominent experts from around the world.