Learning how to read primary source documents then write about them can be boring, right?  History is boring to learn too?  
Well not with this class!  Immerse yourself in the experience of the Germans and European Jews of the early and mid-20th century by reading and writing about their experiences as evidenced by documents from that era. 

This 16 week class will begin with the end of World War I and explore how the 20 inter war years were a break in one global conflict rather than two separate conflicts. We will then move on to the political climate in Europe, Nazi propaganda in the late 1920's including German laws/decrees, the path to another global conflict, empire building, intentional extermination of humans, and the introduction of nuclear warfare. Student will learn using newspaper stories, photographs, diaries, poetry, autobiographical texts, letters, journals and compilations of primary video until the war ended in 1945, and conclude with texts and reflections by survivors of the Holocaust.  
Learners will be provided some text to read in advance of class, and other text will be read during class.  Lessons are taught using a variety of resources including slides, lecture, videos, audio recordings, mini-writing assignments, assessments of reading comprehension, and reinforcement of the writing process.  
In addition the reading texts from the 20th century and survivor accounts from the mid to late 20th century, learners will practice their writing skills and utilize the writing process.  Writing assignments will include keeping a diary, writing a sample news article, letter writing, responses to texts, poetry, and a research paper as a culminating assignment.  Students will be provided topic suggestions, or may choose their own topic with teacher approval.  

Prior knowledge of the content is not required but recommended.  Some content may be mature and graphic (please see parental guidance for more details).  Basic writing skills and the ability to complete the assignments described above is imperative. 


Discussion and interaction are required elements of this class and students are STRONGLY urged to use their cameras and microphones in order to receive the full benefits of this class. 

**********PLEASE READ*************
Outschool has recently changed its policy regarding class cancellations. We know how disappointing canceled classes can be for learners, so we too are amending our policy.  In the past we have waited for late enrollees, of which we have had MANY!  Unfortunately we can no longer do that. 

If enrollment falls below 3 learners 48 hours before this class is scheduled to begin, it will be rescheduled for a later date. Full refunds will be provided for learners who cannot attend the newly scheduled class time. All other refunds will be provided as per the Outschool Limited Refund policy (see below).  If for any reason the class does not meet your expectation, you have the confidence of knowing that Outschool has a Happiness Guarantee and will provide a refund upon request via their Customer Support. 

Transfer requests within 24 hours of a scheduled class will NOT be approved.  At that point it is too late to reschedule the class, and it is unfair to other families who may have enrolled thinking there were multiple learners enrolled. Instead students will be encouraged to watch the video of the class.
 
Thank you for understanding, and for your loyalty.

Week 1:    End of an War and Era - Enter the Roaring 20s
Week 2:    Rise of Fascism in Italy - Disgruntled Winners
Week 3:    German Economic Collapse - Weimar Republic and The Rise of the National Socialist German Workers Party
Week 4:    National Pride  - the Nazi Way
Week 5:    League of Nations, Appeasement, and European Mismanagement of a Tyrant
Week 6:    Oppression in Small Increments, 1936 Olympics
Week 7:    European Jews 1918-1933
Week 8:    Midterm Assignment Presentations
Week 9:    Far and Away, Families Shattered by War  - How to write a research paper.
Week 10:  War in Europe (overview)
Week 11:   War in Europe and Entrance of the Soviet Union and United States - Outlining a research paper, rough drafts. 
Week 12:  Ghettos, Camps, and Resistance 
Week 13:  Hitler's Secret - The Final Solution 
Week 14:  End of the War in Europe - Editing and Revising a research paper
Week 15:  Liberation of Auschwitz, DP Camps, Poetry of victims and survivors
Week 16:  Student presentation of their research to the class and submission of research papers.