Holocaust and Genocide Studies Minor (HGST)
The Holocaust and Genocide Studies program offers courses from six different disciplines, two colleges and combines historical understanding with a cross-disciplinary exploration of both the Holocaust and genocide. It prepares students to be successful and engaged members of society and will enable them to learn the tools needed to work in and across disciplines to identify and creatively solve key societal problems, both local and global.
Sandra Alfers
Director of the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity.
“Western is the first public university in the state with a minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies,” says Sandra Alfers, Director of the Ray Wolpow Institute for the Study of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity. “It is another major accomplishment for us. Western is clearly starting to address state needs, particularly in light of the recently amended Washington State Senate Bill 5612, which strengthens Holocaust Education in Washington schools, including the teaching of genocide and crimes against humanity.”
Program Information
Visit Western's Catalog page on Holocaust and Genocide Studies Minor for current course requirements and electives.
We encourage our students to regularly check Western's Covid Recovery Status website for updates regarding remote learning during COVID-19.
How to Declare a Minor
There are no prerequisites for declaring the HGST Minor.
Fill out the Minor Declaration e-form and send it to akinrib@wwu.edu.
Summer 2023
FAIR 334S/INTL 338: Holocaust Film
June 20-July 28, 2023
Monday, Wednesday & Fridays
10 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. (Face-to-face)
Prerequisites not enforced summer quarter, open to all
This course focuses on cinematic treatments of the Holocaust and the role of films in shaping public awareness of the Holocaust.
Target Audience: All
Fairhaven Students: Course meets Fairhaven College's upper-division core credits.
All: Meets requirements for the Film Studies Minor, the HGST minor, Human Rights Minor, and the INTL Minor
Class Format: Face-to-face; independent film viewing using class hours
Grading: S/NS & Narrative Assessments (FAIR), Rank Grading (INTL)
For more information contact akinrib@wwu.edu or 360.650.2893
Films Included:
- Night and Fog (1955)
- The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
- The Pawnbroker (1965)
- Sophie's Choice (1982)
- Shoah (1985)
- Schindler's List (1993)
- Life is Beautiful (1997)
- The Grey Zone (2001)
- The Pianist (2003)
Fall Course Schedule 2023
| Instructor | Subject/Course | CRN | Title | Days | Class Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babafemi Akinrinade | FAIR 334C | 42359 | International Human Rights | MW | 3-5:10 p.m. |
| Chris Friday | HIST 275 | 42387 | The Indian in American History | MWF | 10-11:20 a.m. |
| Chris Friday | HIST 392 | 43925 | Tribal Sov & WA Hist | MWF | 2:30-3:50 p.m. |
| Roger R. Thompson | HIST 408 | 43105 | World War II: The European War | TR | 12-1:50 p.m. |
Winter Course Schedule 2024
| Instructor | Subject/Course | CRN | Course Title | Days | Class Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Young | ANTH 456 | 13840 | War and Human Rights | TR | 3.00-4:50 pm |
| Babafemi Akinrinade |
|
|
Human Trafficking & Smuggling | MW | 11:00 am-1:20 pm |
| Babafemi Akinrinade |
|
|
The Holocaust | MW | 3:00 -5:20 pm |
| Susan Costanzo | HIST 364 | 13702 | Russian WW2 Films | TR | 12:00-1:50 pm |
| Dan Chard | HIST 390 | 13707 | US & International Terrorism | MWF | 1:00-2:20 pm |
Spring Course Schedule 2024
| Instructor | Subject/Course | CRN | Title | Days | Class Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Chard | HIST 390 | 23484 | US & International Terrorism | MW | 1-2:20 pm |
| Rachel Ann Anderson Paul | PLSC 385/HGST 302 | 22411 | Genocide and Global Politics/Topics in Genocide Studies | TR | 2-3:50 pm |
Advising Appointments
Until further notice, all advising appointments will be held via Zoom or Teams. To schedule a virtual advising appointment see below:
| Advisors | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Prof. Babafemi Akinrinade | |
| Prof. Sandra Alfers | Email for Appointment |
Advising
Advisors are available to assist you with questions about the content of the minor and course planning/sequencing.
Graduation Procedure for Minor Evaluations
Please contact Prof. Akinrinade for a minor evaluation two quarters prior to graduation. Provide your name and W# with your request and within 2-3 weeks, you will be contacted with your complete evaluation.
