This seminar explores the history and especially the historiography of the Holocaust. Among the themes we will consider are the roles of religion in the Holocaust, colonial contexts, gender and sexuality, and cultures of memorialization. How has scholarship on these and other matters changed over the course of 80 years? Readings include works written during and close to the events and recent contributions to the field. Combinations and juxtapositions of works are intended to highlight innovations and persistent questions and help you revisit familiar material in new ways. We will read primary sources and secondary literature related to the Holocaust as well as consider how similar issues play out in other cases of genocide and mass atrocity and the scholarship about them. Oral presentations and the long paper (an historiographical analysis, although in consultation with the professor, students may write a paper based on original research) will give students an opportunity to explore areas of particular interest to them.