CAS has a new minor in Holocaust and Genocide studies
A chance to learn from the past to prevent mistakes in the future
This past September, Boston University’s College of Art and Sciences launched a new minor in Holocaust and Genocide studies. The program includes the study of the 20th and 21st centuries’ atrocities and crimes against humanity.
Learning from the past to prevent the future
Ranging from the Armenian Genocide to Rwanda and Sudan’s lethal ethnic problems, topics provide students with an in-depth knowledge of the proceedings of these mass-murders. The goal of the minor is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the societal patterns and reasons that lead to genocides.
Moreover, educating students about the past will not only serve the duty of memory but will also bring a better understanding of the future. Instead of reiterating boring History classes with textbooks examples, the classes put in perspective these past crimes against humanity with current conflicts and intolerance of today. With a preventive manner, these courses create an emphasis on the importance of vigilance and the concept of passive complicity.
Between Law, Political Science, and Political Philosophy
Students are now able to appreciate and ponder the works of Holocaust Survivor Primo Levi; Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel; and philosopher Hannah Arendt.
Registered terriers benefit from a solid background in law with human rights classes, and a focus on the 1948 United Nations charter. The offered curriculum also presents a great opportunity to prompt discussion on Rwanda and Sudan’s often forgotten conflicts, whose consequences prevail today.
The minor is offered through the Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies.
A relevant minor?
Some students argue that adequately tackling these dense and complicated topics would be a tough job in only six classes.
“It is an umbrella term,” said Katerina Muravyova, COM’19. “Are six classes enough to cover 20th and 21st centuries’ genocides?”
Some think that such topics should rather be approached in the context of history or human rights classes as study cases.
“You need to see the bigger picture. said François Grenet, CAS’18. “It’s good to specialize, but it’s not what I would do.”
These atrocities are part of a “big cycle in history,” he added.
However, Terriers still think this minor is useful especially in times of political turmoil to teach about tolerance. It would allow for the discussion of current societal problems and reflection on issues that matter to them.
“Because racial divide is still a predominant concept in our society right now, it’s important to be educated about the repercussions and what small steps are taken before genocides happened,” said Muravyova. “Maybe more students have shown interest in this kind of topic, especially with the political atmosphere in America. A lot of people, for example, have compared Trump to Hitler… And so, I think a lot of people are wondering if this is the direction our country is taking going in right now, and how it relates to the direction Germany was going in before the Holocaust, and what would be the potential outcome of the decisions that our government is making in regards to race.”
Learning about the root of evil
Students of any major will always benefit from courses that tackle our global history and legacy. These massacres are crucial to study and learn from, as they shaped the way our world is today. They will show students where intolerance and hatred can lead.