This course challenges students to explore one of the most profound questions of our time: how and why do societies descend into genocide? Through an interdisciplinary study of history, survivor testimonies, literature, and both documentary and narrative film, students will confront humanity’s darkest chapters, with a central focus on the Holocaust (Shoah) and other instances of mass violence throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will also examine acts of resistance, resilience, and responses by individuals and communities. Engaging with the work of leading scholars and eyewitness voices, students will explore the social, political, and cultural forces that make such atrocities possible. By the end of the course, students will emerge with deeper historical understanding, moral insight, and a sense of civic responsibility. Successful completion may earn 3 college credits for UConn’s HRTS 2200: Introduction to Genocide Studies. Pending Board of Education Approval & UConn ECE Accreditation