Minor / Certificate in Holocaust Studies
Offered by Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters The Joint Certificate/Minor in Holocaust Studies is a partnership between The Program in Jewish Studies, the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights (PJHR), and The Gutterman Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights Education (CHHRE).
Program Overview
The Certificate in Holocaust Studies for non-matriculated students, and the Minor in Holocaust Studies for matriculated students provides students with an in-depth understanding of the historical, cultural, and ethical dimensions of the Holocaust. Through interdisciplinary coursework, students explore the origins and implementation of the Nazi genocide, its representation in literature, film, and art, and its lasting impact on memory, law, and human rights. The program prepares students to critically examine issues of antisemitism, racism, genocide, and historical trauma while developing strong research, analytical, and ethical reflection skills. This certificate/minor is an excellent complement for students pursuing careers or graduate education in:
- Education
- History
- Jewish Studies
- Museum and archival work
- Social justice and human rights
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 12
6 credits from Category 1: Holocaust-Specific Courses
6 credits from Category 2: Contextual/Related Courses or an additional 6 credits from Category 1 Independent Study / Practicum: Students may take up to 3 credits in either JST 4905 (Directed Independent Study) or JST 4940 (Practicum), but not both. If offered as 1-credit courses, students may repeat with program director approval (up to 3 credits total).
Category 1: Holocaust-Specific Courses (6 credits required)
| EUH 4465 – Hitler and Nazi Germany |
| FIL 4838 – Holocaust on Screen* |
| JST 3402 – History of Antisemitism* |
| JST 4701 – The Holocaust |
| WOH 4244 – World War II |
Category 2: Contextual / Related Courses (6 credits)
| AMH 3530 – History of American Immigration and Ethnicity |
| AMH 4231 – The U.S. in the Era of World War I and World War II |
| AML 4663 – Jewish-American Literature |
| ANT 4006 – Human and Cultural Rights |
| COM 4707 – Peace, Conflict, and Oral Narrative |
| EUH 3206 – 20th-Century Europe since World War II |
| EUH 3343 – 20th Century Europe to World War II |
| FIL 4037 – Film since the 1940s |
| FIL 4886 – Jews in American Film and Television |
| HIS 3204 – History of Human Rights |
| INR 4075 – The Politics of Human Rights |
| JST 4425 – History of Zionism and the State of Israel, 1880–1990 |
| LIT 4605 – Literature of War |
| PAX 3001 – Introduction to Peace Studies |
| SPC 4540 – Propaganda |
| WOH 4405 – Gandhi and Hitler |
| WST 4113 – Gender and Human Rights |
| WST 4113 – Gender and Human Rights |
| JST 4905 – Directed Independent Study |
| JST 4940 – Practicum |
Notes:
Courses marked with * are new proposals and are expected to be available by Fall 2026.
Currently, FIL 4838 – Holocaust on Screen is offered as FIL 4930 (Special Topics).
COURSES AVAILABLE - SPRING 2026
Jewish-American Literature (AML 4663) 3 credits
Prof. Andrew Furman, In-Person
Boca, College of Education Bldg., Room 333
Tuesday, Thursday, 2 PM - 3:20 PM
An introduction to Jewish-American literature and culture through the work of several major and emergent 20th-century Jewish-American writers.
20th-Century Europe to World War II (EUH 3343) 3 credits
Prof. Douglas McGetchin, In-Person
Boca/Arts & Letters Bldg., Room 242
Monday, 2 PM - 4:50 PM
An investigation of the problems facing Europeans from the turn of the century to World War II. Emphasis will be placed on the conflict of ideologies.
Jews in American Film and Television (FIL 4886) 3 credits
Prof. Matthew Elfenbein, In-Person
Boca/Culture and Society Bldg., Room 107
Tuesday, 6 PM - 9:50 PM
Note: this course is listed as FIL 4930-001 or JST 4930-001 for the Spring 2026 semester An introduction to the cultural history of Jewish representation on the American screen. The media presented are dealing with various themes of immigration, assimilation, antisemitism, trauma, and the ways that they overcome adversity.
Directed Independent Study (JST 4905) 1-4 credits
Various Instructors, Hybrid per Instructor,
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor
Directed independent study on approved topics in Holocaust and Judaic studies.