Architectural rendering of the front facade of the Wallach Building
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Minor / Certificate in Holocaust Studies

Minor/Certificate Holocaust Studies Flyer View the Flyer Ìý|ÌýÌý Scholarship Application

Offered by ³Ô¹Ï꿉۪s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and LettersÌý The Joint Certificate/Minor in Holocaust Studies is a partnership between The Program in Jewish Studies, the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights (PJHR), and The Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education (CHHRE).Ìý

Program OverviewÌý

The Certificate in Holocaust Studies for non-matriculated students, and the Minor in Holocaust Studies for matriculated students provides students with an in-depth understanding of the historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of the Holocaust. Through interdisciplinary coursework, students explore the origins and implementation of the Nazi genocide, its representation in literature, film, and art, and its lasting impact on memory, law, and human rights.Ìý The program prepares students to critically examine issues of antisemitism, racism, genocide, and historical trauma while developing strong research, analytical, and ethical reflection skills.Ìý This certificate/minor is an excellent complement for students pursuing careers or graduate education in:Ìý

  • Education
  • History
  • Jewish Studies
  • Museum and archival work
  • Social justice and human rights



Program RequirementsÌý

Total Credits: 12Ìý
6 credits from Category 1: Holocaust-Specific CoursesÌý
6 credits from Category 2: Contextual/Related Courses or an additional 6 credits from Category 1Ìý Independent Study / Practicum: Students may take up to 3 credits in either JST 4905 (Directed Independent Study) or JST 4940 (Practicum), but not both.Ìý If offered as 1-credit courses, students may repeat with program director approval (up to 3 credits total).Ìý

Category 1: Holocaust-Specific Courses (6 credits required)Ìý

EUH 4465 – Hitler and Nazi GermanyÌý
FIL 4838 – Holocaust on Screen*Ìý
JST 3402 – History of Antisemitism*Ìý
JST 4701 – The HolocaustÌý
WOH 4244 – World War II Ìý

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Category 2: Contextual / Related Courses (6 credits)Ìý

AMH 3530 – History of American Immigration and EthnicityÌý
AMH 4231 – The U.S. in the Era of World War I and World War IIÌý
AML 4663 – Jewish-American LiteratureÌý
ANT 4006 – Human and Cultural RightsÌý
COM 4707 – Peace, Conflict, and Oral NarrativeÌý
EUH 3206 – 20th-Century Europe since World War IIÌý
EUH 3343 – 20th Century Europe to World War IIÌý
FIL 4037 – Film since the 1940sÌý
FIL 4886 – Jews in American Film and TelevisionÌý
HIS 3204 – History of Human RightsÌý
INR 4075 – The Politics of Human RightsÌý
JST 4425 – History of Zionism and the State of Israel, 1880–1990Ìý
LIT 4605 – Literature of War
PAX 3001 – Introduction to Peace StudiesÌý
SPC 4540 – PropagandaÌý
WOH 4405 – Gandhi and HitlerÌý
WST 4113 – Gender and Human RightsÌý
WST 4113 – Gender and Human RightsÌý
JST 4905 – Directed Independent StudyÌý
JST 4940 – PracticumÌý


Notes:
Courses marked with * are new proposals and are expected to be available by Fall 2026.
Currently, FIL 4838 – Holocaust on Screen is offered as FIL 4930 (Special Topics).Ìý



COURSES AVAILABLE - SPRING 2026

Jewish-American Literature (AML 4663) 3 credits
Prof. Andrew Furman, In-Person
Boca, College of Education Bldg., Room 333
Tuesday, Thursday, 2 PM - 3:20 PM Ìý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌý
An introduction to Jewish-American literature and culture through the work of several major and emergent 20th-century Jewish-American writers.Ìý

20th-Century Europe to World War II (EUH 3343) 3 credits
Prof. Douglas McGetchin, In-PersonÌý Ìý
Boca/Arts & Letters Bldg., Room 242
Monday, 2 PM - 4:50 PMÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
An investigation of the problems facing Europeans from the turn of the century to World War II. Emphasis will be placed on the conflict of ideologies.Ìý

Jews in American Film and Television (FIL 4886) 3 credits
Prof. Matthew Elfenbein, In-Person
Boca/Culture and Society Bldg., Room 107
Tuesday, 6 PM - 9:50 PMÌý
Note: this course is listed as FIL 4930-001 or JST 4930-001 for the Spring 2026 semester An introduction to the cultural history of Jewish representation on the American screen. The mediaÌý presented are dealing with various themes of immigration, assimilation, antisemitism, trauma, and theÌý ways that they overcome adversity.Ìý

Directed Independent Study (JST 4905) 1-4 credits
Various Instructors, Hybrid per Instructor,
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Directed independent study on approved topics in Holocaust and Judaic studies.Ìý

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