This special subject deals with the history of the Third Reich and focuses in particular on its social history. The module will provide an introduction to some of the theoretical problems involved in the study of this period of German history and to the development and current state of historical research in this field. Aspects covered include the origins and the rise of Nazism, the seizure of power in 1933/34, and the Nazi state, but special attention will be given to German society under Nazi rule. The role and position of women, the family, youth, workers, soldiers, intellectuals, party members, 'non-Aryans', along with the regime's policy towards the arts and music, will be examined through the study of original documents in English translation. The aim of the module is to set these aspects of social history within the wider framework of patterns of collaboration and resistance, policing and control, propaganda and justice, economic and foreign policy, discrimination and persecution of 'social outsiders', and the extermination of the Jews under the Nazi regime.
The module is based on the use of original documents and is designed to train students in the interpretation of primary sources and the critical assessment of their reliability and usefulness as historical sources.
The module is based on the use of original documents and is designed to train students in the interpretation of primary sources and the critical assessment of their reliability and usefulness as historical sources.
- Module Supervisor: Nadine Rossol