Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program

From the Holocaust to the genocide in Rwanda, history has seen many devastating acts of inhumanity and cruelty. To analyze these events and learn from them in order to build a better future, the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program offers both the university and broader South Florida communities numerous opportunities to study the Holocaust and other cases of genocide and mass violence.

Through organizing lectures, co-sponsoring film screenings and increasing course offerings in these topics, this program strives to raise awareness about the darkest of moments in history. As Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel has said, it is by keeping the memory of these atrocities alive that we honor those whose lives were lost during such terrible acts of cruelty and genocide.

By approaching the Holocaust and cases of genocide through a multidisciplinary perspective, the program allows students and community members alike to understand the interconnections between history, art, society, culture and how these can impact society in beneficial – or detrimental ways.

Undergraduate Certificate

The 15-credit certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies allows students of any major, community members and secondary school teachers to deepen their education on the Holocaust and other cases of mass violence. Click here for more information on the certificate.

Courses

Florida International University offers various courses that qualify towards the Certificate in Holocaust and Genocide Studies. For the list of Spring 2022 term courses, click here.

Faculty

The program is composed of faculty and staff who raise awareness on the Holocaust, its contemporary significance, and the broader phenomenon of genocide in modern times. Click here for a complete list of Holocaust and Genocide Studies faculty at Florida International University.

Programming and Partnerships

Annual Holocaust and Genocide Awareness Week – programming dedicated to honoring the memory of victims of genocide across the world and reflecting on the importance of standing up for justice and honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during dark moments in history.

Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU - through its partnership with the Jewish-Museum of Florida-FIU, the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Program allows students and community members to interact and engage with art exhibits, film screenings, concerts and workshops while exploring history.

The Wolfsonian–FIU - Through its collaboration with The Wolfsonian–FIU, the program provides access to numerous historical artifacts that allow students to analyze the messages and cultural atmosphere that led to and propagated the Holocaust.

Fishman Scholar - The program annually hosts the Fishman Holocaust Studies Scholar-in-Residence, which is supported by Dr. Lawrence M. Fishman and his wife Suzanne R. Fishman’s $100,000 gift to expand Holocaust education and outreach.

Teaching the Holocaust - In partnership with the College of Arts, Sciences and Education and Miami Dade College, the program organizes trainings for education students preparing to enter the workforce, where they explore teaching methods and receive the best practices and resources to help equip them to lead conversations and discuss course material on the Holocaust.

Resources - The University of Southern California’s Shoah Foundation Institute’s Visual History Archive and Yale University’s Fortunoff Visual Archive for Holocaust Testimonies are both accessible to all registered users of FIU’s Steven and Dorothea Green Library.

To access Programming and Partnerships, click here.

For more information, please contact Dr. Oren Stier at (305) 348-6729 or Oren.Stier@fiu.edu