Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The Holocaust and Genocide Studies program is strongly grounded in PLU’s educational commitment to helping its students develop as global citizens, future leaders, and whole, richly informed persons. As the University’s statement on General Education notes, PLU offers an education not only in values, but in valuing, and asserts strongly that “life gains meaning when dedicated to a good larger than oneself.” Close study of the Holocaust and other examples of mass violence challenges us to push far beyond our comfort zones. Students who choose to earn a minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies will join a scholarly community that believes that the Holocaust and other genocides must be studied, its victims must be remembered, human rights and dignity must be honored through our daily beliefs and actions, and yet the search for “lessons” drawn from the Holocaust and genocide is a never-ending process.

Minor

20 semester hours (a minimum of 12 semester hours of upper division) to include:

• HGST 200 (4)
• HIST 360 (4)
• Elective courses (12 semester hours, a minimum of 8 hours upper division)
• No more than 12 semester hours may be used from an individual department or IHON program.
• No more than 8 semester hours may be used to satisfy the HGST minor and any other minors or majors.
• A minimum of 12 semester hours must be earned in residence at PLU.

It is highly recommended that students complete HGST 200 before enrolling in HIST 360. Elective course hours may be earned in two ways.

1. Approved courses and elective options (listed below) may be selected and completed without consulting the HGST program director.
2. Other elective courses and options (described below) can only be counted toward the minor after consultation with the HGST program director and submission to the Office of the Registrar for inclusion in the student’s degree plan.

HGST Approved Elective Courses

• ARTD 383: Studies in Art History: Art and Memory
• ENGL 345: Special Topics in Literature & Difference: Jews and Jewishness in American Literature
• ENGL 387: Topics in Rhetoric, Writing, and Culture: Rhetoric of Trauma
• GERM 423: Topics in German Literature and Culture: German Exiles
• GERM 423/424: Topics in German Literature and Culture: Holocaust Literature and Film
• HGST 287: Special Topics in Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• HGST 387: Special Topics in Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• HGST 491: Independent Studies in Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• HGST 495: Internship in Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• HIST 329: Europe and the World Wars: 1914-1945
• HIST 334: Modern Germany, 1848-1945
• HIST 362: Christians in Nazi Germany
• HIST 369: History of Modern Palestine and Israel
• HIST 388: Special Topics in European History: Holocaust Memories in Berlin, Prague, and Poland
• IHON 328: Social Justice: Personal Inquiry and Global Investigations: Truth & Memory, Transition & Hope
• RELI 230: Religion and Culture: Judaism in America
• RELI 237: Judaism

Other Electives that Require Consultation and Approval

• Special topic courses that pertain to HGST will be identified each semester/term as “approved” for elective credit in the program. Consult with the director of the HGST program for a list of such courses.
• Courses from any discipline for which at least 60% of the assignments center on themes or content that pertains to the study of the Holocaust, genocide, and/or examples of mass violence and oppression may be approved for elective credit. Consent of the instructor is required. Students should consult the director of the Holocaust and Genocide Studies program about this option before the course begins (when possible). To complete the process, students must also submit a syllabus, assignments, and other relevant materials to the HGST coordinating committee after completing the course.
• Selected semester-long study away programs may be used to meet up to 8 semester hours; consult the director of the HGST program for more information.
• Eight semester hours of German language study, at any level beginning with GERM 101 or its equivalent, can be used to earn 4 semester hours of elective credit toward the HGST minor.