A new course aims at providing knowledge on the mechanisms of totalitarianism, racism, persecution and war in the XX century.

“Experts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim are joining forces with the SWPS University to offer an exceptional study, an extraordinary journey, and a unique expedition to the core – to the roots of totalitarianism in the XX century.”
Andrzej Kacorzyk, the Museum deputy director

SWPS University and the International Centre for Education about Auschwitz and the Holocaust at the Museum are recruiting for the postgraduate studies “The Roots of the 20th Century Totalitarianism: Auschwitz – Holocaust – Genocides”. The study will be conducted in Polish and English. The course is primarily addressed to teachers, guides, educators and museum staff whose work is related to the World War II and the Holocaust.

Barbed wires and the fence in Auschwitz II Birkenau camp.

“Extensive education needs time; such studies will give our students the right time to comprehend this history better and become a crucial element in counteracting the mechanisms that lead to genocide.”
Adelina Hetnar-Michaldo, International Education Centre

Course description

The classes will be conducted in the form of workshops, seminars and lectures, some online, and other on the Museum grounds. The two-semester study program comprises 200 hours and is divided into four thematic blocks:

Politics and ideology
Education at memorial sites
Different cultures of remembrance
The role of the 20th century genocides

Visitors with headsets on a tour by the Auschwitz Memorial main gate.

“It might seem that we are only discussing history under the program. But that is not the case. The real purpose is to relate to the present day and show the mechanisms of evil. Here and now.”
Adam Szpaderski, PhD, Prof. at SWPS, content manager

Source: auschwitz.org

Postgraduate studies at Auschwitz

Wincenty Gawron’s portraits donated by his daughter