Social Studies Curriculum

History/Social Sciences Electives

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Adopted January 1999

The Holocaust and Human Behavior

Course Description:

This course allows students to explore in-depth one of the most fascinating yet tragic events of the twentieth century: The Holocaust. Students will examine the root causes which led to the rise of the Nazi party and the reaction of Germans--and the world--to Hitler and his plans of genocide. This course is best suited for individuals willing to reflect upon their own views of human behavior and consider the lessons of history.

Questions which will be addressed in the Holocaust and Human Behavior include:

• What happens when prejudice and hatred are left unchecked?
• Can a democratic country produce a dictator?
• What did the Nazis believe, and did anyone oppose them?
• How did the Nazis make Germans obey orders?
• Have there been any other genocides like the Holocaust?
• Can individuals make a difference in the outcome of historic events?

The course title and description have been approved by the Anchorage School Board.  This course outline is meant to serve as an example of one possibility for organizing this class.  It does not represent the only way the course may be organized.  Each course outline has been written by a different teacher so there will be differences in the approach used from one course to another.

Course Goals:

Through this course students will:

• Students will appreciate that historical understanding excludes simple solutions to complex problems.
• Students will appreciate the diversity of beliefs and people who contribute to our world.
• Students will understand that historical events are more than the decisions made by leaders and warriors; every day decisions by average individuals play an important role in history.
• Students will appreciate democratic characteristics and safeguards against tyranny.
• Students will comprehend that different cultures and governments grapple with conflict in diverse ways.
• Students will consider how choices they make regarding loyalty, trust and responsibility within a group influence their lives.

Course Objectives:

The student will:

• Compare and contrast the basic elements of a totalitarian dictatorship and democratic government.
• Trace the fundamental causes of the Holocaust, including the history of anti-Semitism, German reaction to World War I and the Treaty of Versailles, and the social and economic climate of Germany prior to the rise of Nazism.
• Explain how a dictator was able to rise to power through democratic means.
• Discuss the role of propaganda and intimidation used by the Nazis to demand conformity and obedience from many Germans.
• Identify the major events which led to an escalation of violence in Germany.
• Explain the failure of the policy of appeasement taken by world leaders in dealing with Hitler
• Evaluate the consequences of individual’s and nation’s decisions to be perpetrators, bystanders, resisters and rescuers during times of upheaval and violence.
• Analyze Nazi philosophy and how it set the stage for the Holocaust.
• Discuss the moral issues of victors rendering justice to crimes against humanity.
• Respectfully communicate with classmates on controversial topics.
• Define and cite other examples of genocide.

Course Outline:

1. Individual and Society
   1. How society shapes personal identity
   2. How the individual affects society
2. Nationalism, Racism and Anti-Semitism
   1. Historical roots of hatred & anti-Semitism
   2. Formation of a national identity
3. Post World War I Germany
   1. Treaty of Versailles
   2. Social, political and economic unrest of the 1920s and 1930s
4. Nazis Rise to Power
   1. Examination of Weimar Republic’s political structure: fascist vs. democratic states
   2. Nazi philosophy and policy
5. The Holocaust
   1. Escalation of violence culminating in death camps and genocide of minority groups
   2. Action/inaction of various individuals and nations
6. Judgment
   1. Nuremberg Trials and ability of victors to render justice in large scale tragedies

Next: Sample Course Outlines - Humanities of Western Civilization »