Citizenship and Holocaust Studies

Designed for educators and professionals involved in Holocaust education, this course develops the knowledge, confidence and critical understanding needed to teach the Holocaust in ways that are historically accurate, ethically informed and relevant to contemporary citizenship education. Participants will explore effective pedagogical approaches while considering the wider social, cultural, religious and political contexts that shape Holocaust education.

The course examines the Holocaust within its historical context, including the persecution of Jewish people, Roma and other targeted groups, while exploring themes such as antisemitism, citizenship, human rights and cross-curricular learning. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to apply research-informed approaches to teaching, encourage critical reflection and support meaningful learning about the Holocaust in educational settings.

To view the module descriptor (EDUC11131), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors.

 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for professionals who teach, support or develop learning about the Holocaust, citizenship and human rights within educational and cultural settings.

It is particularly relevant for:

• Primary and secondary school teachers delivering Holocaust education or citizenship education
• Teachers of History, Religious Education, Social Studies and related curriculum areas
• School leaders and curriculum leads responsible for developing inclusive and evidence-informed learning
• Educators working in museums, heritage organisations or other educational settings that support Holocaust education
• Professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of Holocaust education, effective teaching approaches and strategies for addressing antisemitism through education

 

Why take this course?

Holocaust education plays a vital role in helping learners understand the consequences of prejudice, discrimination and hatred while promoting critical thinking, democratic values and responsible citizenship. Educators need the confidence, knowledge and pedagogical skills to teach this challenging subject with historical accuracy, sensitivity and relevance to contemporary society.

This course helps you develop that capability by exploring the historical, religious, philosophical and socio-political dimensions of the Holocaust alongside current research and effective teaching approaches. You will examine how Holocaust education can be integrated across the curriculum, consider strategies for addressing antisemitism through education, and strengthen your ability to facilitate informed, reflective and meaningful learning experiences for children and young people.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the key concepts, debates and principles that underpin Holocaust education and their relevance to contemporary educational practice
• Critically evaluate research and evidence relating to the Holocaust and effective Holocaust education
• Analyse current issues in Holocaust education and recognise how they contribute to citizenship education and the promotion of democratic values
• Apply research-informed pedagogical approaches to teaching the Holocaust across primary and secondary education, including cross-curricular contexts
• Reflect critically on your own professional practice and communicate well-reasoned, evidence-based perspectives on Holocaust education and its role in addressing antisemitism

 

How you will learn

This course is delivered online, providing the flexibility to study alongside your professional commitments. Learning takes place through the University's virtual learning environment and combines online tutorials, lecturer-led core content, practical tasks, asynchronous discussions and independent study. Throughout the course, you will engage with current research, government policy and curriculum guidance while reflecting on your own professional practice and sharing insights with fellow participants.

The course comprises approximately 200 hours of learning, including 40 hours of lectures and core content delivery, 70 hours of asynchronous class activity, and around 90 hours of independent study. Course materials and learning resources are provided through the VLE to support flexible, self-directed learning.

This flexible online delivery model enables you to develop advanced professional knowledge while balancing postgraduate study with the demands of your workplace.

 

Course content

• Understanding the Holocaust in context

Explore the historical, religious, philosophical and socio-political contexts of the Holocaust, examining the persecution of Jewish people, Roma and other targeted groups and the wider impact of genocidal policies.

• Holocaust education and contemporary practice

Examine the key concepts, debates and current research that shape Holocaust education, considering its relationship with citizenship education, government policy and contemporary educational practice.

• Teaching challenging and sensitive histories

Develop research-informed pedagogical approaches for teaching the Holocaust in primary and secondary education, enabling learners to engage thoughtfully with complex historical and ethical issues.

• Addressing antisemitism through education

Explore how Holocaust education can help challenge antisemitism, promote inclusion and encourage informed discussion about prejudice, discrimination and human rights.

• Interdisciplinary learning

Consider how Holocaust education can be delivered through interdisciplinary approaches, creating meaningful connections with Citizenship Education, History, Religious Education and Social Studies.

• Reflecting on professional practice

Use current research, collaborative discussion and critical reflection to evaluate your own teaching practice and strengthen your confidence in delivering meaningful Holocaust education.

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply research, critical analysis and professional reflection to a contemporary issue in Holocaust education.

You will complete a written assignment (100%) in which you critically examine a defined aspect of the Holocaust or Holocaust Education, drawing on relevant literature and your own professional experience. You will evaluate the implications of your chosen topic for teaching and learning within Citizenship Education, demonstrating your ability to connect research with educational practice and communicate evidence-informed conclusions.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Apply current research and evidence to your own teaching and professional practice
• Reflect critically on approaches to Holocaust education and their role within citizenship education
• Engage in professional discussion with peers, sharing experience and evaluating different pedagogical approaches
• Consider ethical issues, curriculum policy and practical strategies that support meaningful Holocaust education in educational settings

You will leave with:

• Greater confidence in teaching the Holocaust with historical accuracy, sensitivity and educational purpose
• Enhanced capability to apply research-informed approaches across a range of educational contexts
• Practical skills to facilitate informed discussion around citizenship, human rights, prejudice and discrimination
• A stronger ability to exercise professional judgement when planning, delivering and evaluating Holocaust education

 

Entry requirements

This course is designed for professionals involved in education who want to deepen their understanding of Holocaust education and strengthen their teaching practice.

As this is an SCQF Level 11 course, participants should be prepared to study at postgraduate level. The course is particularly relevant for teachers, school leaders and educators working in formal and informal learning environments.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 11.

These credits may contribute towards further postgraduate study at UWS, where appropriate and in accordance with University regulations.

 

Fees and Funding

The module fee is £600.  If you are already enrolled as a student on any other UWS module, a payment plan to spread the cost will be available.

The following applicants can apply for a grant from Vision Schools Scotland to cover the module fee:

• teachers and support staff who work in a Vision School
• teachers and support staff who work in a school that has applied to be a Vision School
• teachers and support staff who work in a school that is applying to be a Vision School in 2025
• educators from museums or organisations in Scotland who work in Holocaust education

Please contact jane.caffrey@uws.ac.uk for further details.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

Holocaust education continues to play an important role in supporting citizenship, human rights education and the development of critical thinking within schools and wider educational settings. Educators increasingly require the knowledge and confidence to teach this complex subject with historical accuracy, sensitivity and an evidence-informed approach, while addressing contemporary issues such as antisemitism and discrimination.

This course reflects current educational practice by integrating contemporary research, cross-curricular pedagogy and critical reflection. Participants will strengthen their ability to deliver meaningful Holocaust education, contribute to inclusive learning environments and support learners in understanding the enduring relevance of the Holocaust to society today.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.