Unit information: Society & Culture in Nazi-Occupied Europe (Level C Special Topic) in 2011/12

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Unit name Society & Culture in Nazi-Occupied Europe (Level C Special Topic)
Unit code HIST10016
Credit points 20
Level of study C/4
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Cervantes
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

None
Co-requisites

HIST13003
School/department Department of History (Historical Studies)
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

Special Topic units place students in direct contact with the research interests of academic tutors and allow them to explore issues surrounding the current state of research in the field. They introduce students to working with primary sources and place those sources in context.

This course re-thinks the ‘dark’ years when Hitler ruled most of Europe. Indeed the 1939-45 period cannot be reduced to an aberration, but must be understood as an inherent part of the construction of European culture and society. Using a variety of written and visual sources, it also aims to better understand the interrelationships between society and culture across Europe’s mid-century crisis. Initially, we will examine how governments used art and culture to impose a new social and/or racial order; we will then explore the socio-cultural changes which emerged from below. Whether it was clandestine dancing in Occupied France, or music-playing in the Polish ghettos, these were manifestations of the strong local identities which continued to exist despite the difficulties of war and occupation. Ultimately, material shortages, persecution and unprecedented opportunities paved the way to new forms of cultural expressions which continued after 1945.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students should have:

  • identified, analysed, and deepened their understanding of the significance of key themes in the socio-cultural history of Occupied Europe between 1939 and 1945.
  • understood the historiographical debates that surround the topic
  • learned how to work with primary sources
  • developed their skills in contributing to and learning from discussion in a small-group environment

Teaching Information

Weekly 2-hour seminar

Access to tutorial consultation with unit tutor in office hours

Assessment Information

2-hour unseen written examination (summative, 100%)

The examination will assess students' understanding of the unit’s key themes, the related historiography as developed during their reading and participation in / learning from small group seminars, and relevant primary sources. Further assessment of their handling of the relevant primary sources will be provided by the co-requisite Special Topic Project (HIST 13003)

Reading and References

Robert Gildea, Olivier Wieviorka & Annette Warring Surviving Hitler and Mussolini: daily life in occupied Europe (2006)

Shirli Gilbert, Music in the Holocaust: confronting life in the Nazi ghettos and camps (2005)

Claudia Koonz, Mothers in the Fatherland (1986)

Viktor Klemperer, The diaries of Victor Klemperer, 1933-1945: I shall bear witness to the bitter end (2000)

Irène Némirovsky, Suite Française (2007)

Le Corbeau (1943), Dir. Henri Clouzot

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