University of Wolverhampton
School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences

Module Code: RL3000
Module Title: Sho'ah: Perspectives on the Holocaust
Semester 1
2000-2001

Pre-requisites: RL2201
Co-requisites: None
Credit value: 15 credits
Level: 3
Timetable slots: Tuesday 10am -1pm
Location: Dudley Campus DS204
Module Leader: Dr Deirdre Burke, S block 2nd Floor DS201 Tel: 01902 323522
e-mail : in5454@wlv.ac.uk (fax 01902 323379)
Availability of staff: Please see notice board and my office door.
Office hours (usually) Tues/ Thurs/ Fri 9.00 - 9.30 & Thursday 2-3
Phone in: Wednesday 8.30 - 9.30

Module Aims and Description
This module explores the Holocaust from a variety of perspectives which
impinge upon theological understanding: historical, creative and from
survivor testimony. This multi-disciplinary approach utilises the many
different ways of exploring the Holocaust to ask key questions about God
and suffering, and to assess the way different disciplines can respond.
There will be a visit to Beth Shalom Holocaust Centre and an opportunity to
meet a Holocaust survivor.

Module Outcomes

Subject Outcomes
i. to critically analyse the relationship between history and theology
ii. to identify and explore the ways in which the Holocaust challenges
Jewish theology
iii. to explore and analyse the impact of the Holocaust on contemporary
society

Key Skills
5. Improving Own Learning

Weekly Programme and Reading

Week 1 - Introduction to the Module
Reading: Rubenstein, R & Roth, J K Approaches to Auschwitz
Wiesel, E Night

Week 2 - The History and Nature of Antisemitism
Reading: Rubenstein, R Approaches to Auschwitz
Wistrich, R Anti Semitism

Week 3 - Individual and communal perspectives
Reading: The Jewish community of Bekescsaba
The Diary of Anne Frank

Week 4 - Visit to Beth Shalom

Week 5 - Historiographical debates
Reading: Hilberg, R The Destruction of the European Jews
Landau, R Studying the Holocaust

Week 6 -The Challenge to Theology
Reading: Eliach, Y Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust
Solomon, N Jewish Responses to the Holocaust

Week 7 - Religious Thinking during the Holocaust
Reading: Schindler, P Hasidic Responses to the Holocaust in the Light of
Hasidic Thought

Week 8 - Jewish Theological Responses
Reading: Eliach, Y Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust
Solomon, N Jewish Responses to the Holocaust

Week 9 - Christian Responses to the Holocaust
Reading: Littell, F L The Crucifixion of the Jews
Rubenstein & Roth Approaches to Auschwitz

Week 10 - The novelists perspective
Reading: Levi, P If This be a man.
Wiesel, E Night

Week 11 - Reading Week

Week 12 - Holocaust Denial and Ethical Issues

Presentations Exam Week 1.
Indicative Reading

Short Loan List
Bauer, Y (1981) The Holocaust as Historical Experience London: Holmes & Meier
Brenner, RR (1980) The Faith and Doubt of Holocaust Survivors London:
CollierMacmillan
Cohn-Sherbok, D (1989) Holocaust Theology London: Lampe Press
Cohn-Sherbok, D (1997) The Crucified Jew London:, HarperCollins Religious
Cohn-Sherbok, D (1999) Understanding the Holocaust London: Cassell
Eliach, Y (1988) Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust New York: Vintage
Fackenheim, E (1994) To mend the World Bloomington: Indiana U.P.
Gilbert, M (1993) Dent Atlas of the Holocaust London: J.M.Dent
Hart, K (1981) Return to Auschwitz London: Sidgwick &Jackson
Hilberg, R (1985) The Holocaust London: Holmes &Meier
Katz, S (1983) Post-Holocaust Dialogues London: New York University Press
Landau, R (1998) Studying the Holocaust London: Routledge
Lanzmann, C (1983) Sho'ah New York: Pantheon Books
Marrus, MR (1987) The Holocaust in History Hanover: Brandeis Univ Press
Oppenheimer, P (199*) From Belsen to Buckingham Palace Newark: Beth Shalom
Rosenbaum, IJ (1976) The Holocaust and Halakhah New York: Ktav Publishing
House
Rubenstein, R (1992) After Auschwitz London; John Hopkins Univ. Press
Wiesel, E (1981) Night London: Penguin
Wistrich, R (1991) Anti-Semitism New York: Schocken Books
Young, JE (1993) The Texture of Memory London: Yale University Press

Teaching and Learning Methods
Lecture input supplemented with seminar discussion around weekly
recommended readings. Seminars and lectures will also make use of video
material to illustrate and provide a stimulus for discussion.
Visit to Beth Shalom Holocaust memorial Centre

Assessment Methods, Weightings and Deadlines:
Component 1 Research Tasks Weighting Hand in Deadline
Element 1 Journal 30% 19th December 2000
Element 2 Presentation 20% 9th January 2001

Component 2 Essay (2,500 words) 50% 12th December 2000

Extensions
In some circumstances an extension may be granted. Please ensure that you
obtain the appropriate Extension Form (AAO33) from a Campus Registry
Student Access Point and then follow the procedure for obtaining signatures
determined by your School.
Assessment Tasks

Component 1
Element 1 - Journal
Maintain a Journal to record:
i. Your visit to Beth Shalom Assess how far the Centre meets its aims, your
own personal assessment of the contribution the visit made to your
understanding of the Holocaust
ii. Internet search for presentation Provide a systematic record of the
search engines/ key words used to gather material for your presentation.
Indicate critical points which guided your search.
iii. Review of one major debate on H-Net Holocaust discussion network
Register on the discussion network and select one debate. Provide a review
which considers how the question relates to academic scholarship on the
Holocaust, consider the nature of participants (and see if you can identify
particular groups as having particular concerns). Assess how far this
exercise has contributed to your understanding of the Holocaust.

You will also be assessed on the Key Skill of Improving your own Learning
Not yet ready Pass Good
Self-motivation Lacks self-motivation Is self motivated and able to act
independently Good motivation
Confidence Unsure of own abilities Willing to ask for help and develops
confidence Confident in approach
Autonomy Shows some initiative but finds it difficult to make decisions
Acts autonomously and use own initiative Very resourceful and able to
respond to situations
Problem solving Limited use of problem solving skills Good use of problem
solving skills Good analysis of problem and development of solution
Able to multi-task Tends to focus on one task Able to meet complex
requirements Engages well with complex sources and requirements
Self-assessment Self-assessment may be inaccurate or superficial Good
reflection and monitoring of progress Good analysis of progress and aims to
improve

Element 2 - Presentation
Select a topic - arising from lectures and/ or negotiated with your tutor
to explore the 'impact of the Holocaust upon contemporary society'
In a ten minute time slot present:
· a clear statement of intent and make use of supporting materials
· results of your library search and an internet search
· a bibliography of all sources used
· a survey of relevant opinion on the topic
· a conclusion which assesses the 'impact of the Holocaust upon
contemporary society'

Component 2
Assignment 3 - Essay
How far can the Holocaust be presented as the 'apostasy of the baptised'?

Assessment Criteria
In assessing your essay your tutor will pay particular attention to the
following criteria (please also consult your Religious Studies Subject
Guide for guidance on assessment)

a) the extent to which the work presents a clear, concise and
contextualised discussion of the topic, with well-developed, balanced and
logical arguments

b) the depth of research in the selected topic, with the use of an
appropriate range of sources

c) the degree to which arguments are supported with appropriate evidence
(which is clearly referenced)

Referencing:
Please follow the guidance on the Harvard system of referencing in The
Study of Religion booklet for all Religious Studies assignments.

Submission
All work should be submitted to the Dudley Student Access Point and a
receipt obtained. These dates are final.

Return
The normal expectation is that such returns will be within a three working
week period of the submission date. Any coursework not collected by a
student will be filed by Admin. Staff in the Reception Area. It may then be
collected by you on production of your I.D. card. It will not be given to
another student in your absence.

Retrieval:
Students gaining an E grade for the module will have the opportunity to
resit/resubmit the relevant failed elements(s) at the first appropriate
occasion. If successful, a grade of D5 will be recorded for the resubmitted
piece of work. Those students with validated extenuating circumstances who
have failed to complete part or all of the assessment will be offered the
chance to complete the outstanding work without penalty at the first
appropriate occasion. In both instances students will be notified of the
precise retrieval/first sit requirements. Any queries should be addressed
to the Dudley Student Access Point.

Retrieval of Component 1
Presentation: students will be required to submit the text of a reworked
presentation (word max 1,000)
Journal: students will be required to rework and resubmit the original
failed elements.
Key Skill retrieval: Please consult guidance on developing autonomy in the
recommended texts and resubmit your self-assessment, which must include
references to your reading from these texts and show how your are
integrating the advice into your study.
http://wolf.wlv.ac.uk - Learning for Success
Coleman, A & Coleman, H (1998) Key Skills: Making a Difference (Milton
Keynes: Open University

Retrieval of Component 2
Essay - Students will be required to rework and resubmit the same essay,
unless otherwise directed.

Registration:
Students need to ensure they are properly registered on this module.

Consequences of cheating/plagiarism.
Please see Subject Guide

Dr Deirdre Burke
August 2000
Valid 2000/2001