Module Information

Module Identifier
HY29420
Module Title
The Nazi Dictatorship: Regime and Society in Germany 1933-1945
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Open Examination  2500 Words  50%
Semester Assessment Written Essay  2500 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Written Essay  2500 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Open Examination  Open exam 2500 Words  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of how and why the Nazi regime was radicalized, and its impact on German society, with reference to key concepts including totalitiarianism, racism and the Volksgemeinschaft.

Demonstrate familiarity with historical knowledge in the field of German history between 1933 and 1945.

Read, analyse and reflect critically on secondary and primary texts.

Brief description

This module considers the characteristics of the Nazi regime and explores the impact of Nazism on Germany’s state and society, as well as the Second World War and the Holocaust. It explores questions relating to power and leadership, the role of the Nazi party and its ideology and the nature of terror and compliance in the regime. Before the Nazi seizure of power, the German state had appeared weak, and society had been deeply divided along lines of social class, political culture, religion and region. The Nazis promised to create a Volksgemeinschaft: a harmonious community of the people. How they set about their self-appointed task, and whether they succeeded, are at the heart of this module.

Content

The module addresses a number of themes related to the Nazi Dictatorship underpinned with an understanding of its impact on German society. The module consists of 18 one hour lectures and 6 one-hour seminars that will address a range of events and themes. The areas covered (in one or more lectures) include the Nazi Seizure of power, structures of the Nazi state and party, Hitler and the Gauleiters, Nazi ideology and racism, the Volksgemeinschaft, the police state, propaganda, terror and compliance, foreign policy, the war and the Holocaust. Seminars will explore selected events and themes through group activities and the analysis of primary material.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Adaptability and resilience Students will learn to adapt to studying a range of themes and ideas through the central topic of the Nazi Dictatorship.
Co-ordinating with others Students will be expected to play an active part in group activities (e.g. group activities in seminars) and to learn to evaluate their own contribution to such activities
Creative Problem Solving Identify problems and factors which might influence potential solutions; develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving; evaluate advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions.
Critical and analytical thinking Students will develop their research skills by reading a range of texts and evaluating their usefulness in preparation for the coursework.
Digital capability Students will be encouraged to use e-learning resources and locate suitable material on the web and to apply it appropriately to their own work. Students will also be expected to word-process their work and make use of Blackboard.
Professional communication Written communication skills will be developed through the coursework and written examination; skills in oral presentation will be developed in seminars but are not formally assessed.
Real world sense Students will develop a range of transferable skills, including time management and communication skills, which may help them identify their personal strengths as they consider potential career paths.
Reflection Students will be advised on how to improve research and communication skills through the individual tutorial providing feedback on submitted coursework.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5