ABSTRACT
The Holocaust exemplifies a body of knowledge that 'constantly throws light on, widens and deepens view of countless other things' and, as such, an awareness of its significance can be seen as a defining characteristic of an educated person. Learning about the Holocaust shows the importance of taking into account a host of socio-historical factors as well as psychological ones if we are fully to understand the darker side of human behavior. The most compelling reason for studying the Holocaust is to help secure the future against further violations of human rights whether based on ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability. While the Holocaust may be useful in helping students learn about various facets of racism, it is an ideal medium for enabling them to understand and combat anti-Semitism. In relation to political literacy more broadly defined, a study of the Holocaust and the socio-political developments that gave rise to it.
