MDL208   Analysing Evil: National Socialism as Ideology and Brand   (20 credits)

Description

National Socialism was not just an evil ideology - it was an evil ideology that had to be sold to the German people. The course seeks to answer two key questions: what are the central elements of this belief system, and how were they promoted, advertised, and enforced? We will look at (i) the social, political, and economic contexts from which the Nazis sought to benefit; (ii) Hitler's personality and politico-rhetorical strategies; (iii) the branding of National Socialism; (iv) ordinary life under National Socialism; (v) the institutional structures, such the SS and Himmler's Ahnenerbe, that underpinned this ultimately genocidal ideology.

Reading List