Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Certificate

Program Code: HLCST_UCT

Program Description

The goal of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies certificate program is to provide students a wide-ranging and interdisciplinary foundation in the study of the Holocaust and related fields of genocide, anti-Semitism and prejudice, and historical trauma. The curriculum covers history, cultural studies, philosophy, literary and film criticism, ethics, and political science approaches. Candidates are required to take 12 credits from an approved list of courses.

What is Holocaust and Genocide Studies?

The purpose of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Certificate is to understand and interpret mass eliminationist violence in human history. This area of study employs varying disciplines- such as literature, film, history, philosophy and ethics, and political science- to educate students on genocide, antisemitism and prejudice, and historical trauma.

You Might Like This Program If...

  • You want to study the causes and effects of different cases of genocide throughout history.
  • You are interested in complementing your degree in History, Jewish Studies, or other similar fields with a specialization in a significant area of study.

Program Requirements

To earn an undergraduate certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, a minimum of 12 credits is required.

Prescribed Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
History of the Holocaust 1933-1945 Keystone/General Education Course
JST/CMLIT/ENGL 128
JST/HIST 143
JST/HIST 205
Antisemitisms
Holocaust
Women and the Holocaust
Genocide and Tyranny
Ethics After the Holocaust

Certificate Learning Objectives

  • Application of Knowledge: Students who complete the certificate will be able to apply knowledge about the Holocaust and other genocides to a critical evaluation of material used by and/or created and disseminated by deniers of the Holocaust and other genocides.
  • Assess Prevention of Future Genocides: Students who complete the certificate will be able to assess the importance of democracy, civil rights and the protection of ethnic, racial, religious and other minorities against discrimination as safeguards against discrimination and violent persecution of specific groups.
  • Content Knowledge: Students who complete the certificate will be able to distinguish between the Holocaust and other genocides.
  • Description of Causes Behind Genocides: Students who complete the certificate will be able to describe why the Holocaust and other genocides were the result of conscious decision making.
  • Explain Function of Ideology: Students who complete the certificate will be able to explain the importance of ideology and indoctrination as motivating factors for perpetrators.
  • Explanation of Relevance: Students who complete the certificate will be able to explain the relevance of Holocaust and Genocide studies to those with little or no knowledge about it.
  • Understanding of Holocaust as Watershed Event: Students who complete the certificate will be able to demonstrate an understanding of why the Holocaust and other genocides constitute watershed events in recent history.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8939
jstd@psu.edu

https://jewishstudies.la.psu.edu