A new interdisciplinary Holocaust Studies program will begin in fall 2003. The program will provide critical lessons not only in history of the Holocaust, but an investigation of universal human behavior and an examination of what it means to be a responsible citizen.

Supported by resources from Albright’s Holocaust Resource Center, the program will focus on the discussion of the issues of prejudice, racism and stereotyping in any society. It will help students to develop an awareness of the value of tolerance and provide a historical and ethical context for exploring the dangers of remaining silent, apathetic, and indifferent in the face of others’ oppression.

Coursework is centered around an existing history course on the Holocaust taught by Guillaume de Syon, associate professor of history. Four other courses will be required including Political Psychology of Mass Hate, Contemporary Moral Problems, Religious Responses to the Holocaust and The Holocaust in Literature and Film.

“The program...gives students an opportunity to learn about one of the most significant and horrific events of the 20th century.”

John Incledon, Ph.D.

John Incledon, who will teach the course on the Holocaust in literature and film, said, "The program, which provides yet another option in the array of interdisciplinary courses at Albright, gives students an opportunity to learn about one of the most significant and horrific events of the 20th century."

Albright’s Holocaust Resource Center, established in 1993 by the Jewish Federation of Reading and Albright College, consists of over 2,000 volumes and more than 150 videos dealing with all aspects of the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II and the Holocaust, as well as over three dozen taped interviews with survivors and liberators.

Recently, Walter Hayum '50 donated more than 100 volumes from his personal collection to the Center. Hayum said, "In different forms, some of the same sorts of things can happen in different countries at different times if we're not careful. I wanted to make sure those books went to someone who'd make use of them."