SWPS University in Warsaw and the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust at the Auschwitz Museum are starting enrolment for the postgraduate course “Roots of totalitarianism in the 20th century: Auschwitz – Holocaust – Genocide”.

The studies are addressed primarily to teachers of history, Polish language, social studies, religion or ethics, but also guides, educators, employees of museums and memorial sites, who use the knowledge of the history of World War II, the Holocaust and genocides in their professional work. The studies will be conducted in Polish and in English.

“It might seem that within these studies we are only talking about history. But this is not true. Their real purpose is to relate to the present day and show the mechanisms of evil. Here and now. It is acutely affecting us all. These studies also provide unique instruments for dealing with all these threats”, said Dr Adam Szpaderski, SWPS University, the course’s content manager.

Andrzej Kacorzyk, deputy director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum believes that “Auschwitz can be taught anywhere. The Holocaust can be taught everywhere. Genocide can be taught everywhere. However, education at this Place has a unique perspective”.

The aim of the studies is to provide knowledge about the mechanisms of totalitarianism in the 20th century, including mainly Nazism and the Holocaust, taking into account the role of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz.

The two-semester study programme comprises 200 hours and is divided into 4 thematic modules: politics and ideology, the Holocaust – the study of different cultures of memory, the Holocaust with particular emphasis on the role of Auschwitz and other genocides of the 20th century, and education at memorial sites.

The studies will have a hybrid form, i.e. some sessions will be carried out online and other classes will be held at the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum if the pandemic situation allows it.

Adrian Andrzejewski