Open-access textbook on the Holocaust co-edited by Hazleton sociology professor

'The Holocaust: Remembrance, Respect, and Resilience' released by University Libraries, Teaching and Learning with Technology

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — An open educational resource (OER) textbook, “The Holocaust: Remembrance, Respect, and Resilience,” is now available for previewing by educators and learners. This preview edition is co-edited by Michael Polgar, professor of sociology, Penn State Hazleton, and Suki John, professor of classical and contemporary dance, Texas Christian University.

The text's audience includes people involved with secondary and college/university education. It is an ongoing and growing collaboration among dozens of multidisciplinary international contributors working in university and secondary education, cultural heritage organizations, and other sectors.

The text is being jointly produced by Penn State University Libraries and Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology, through the Open and Affordable Educational Resources (OAER) Working group and thanks to the Rebus Textbook Success Program.

“Among the many advantages of OER textbooks is that educators and other readers can easily pick and choose which chapters to assign, read and discuss,” said Polgar. “As authors, we can add to it and provide updates without the limitations associated with traditional printing. Readers are welcome to use any of these chapters … and are also free (within the bounds of Creative Commons licensing) to print (on-demand) most of these materials.”

“We have worked together to share free educational materials that we can use to learn and teach about the Holocaust and genocide,” Polgar said. “This work was produced by a large collaboration among authors, editors, administrators, production specialists and reviewers from around the world, without any special financial compensation for being involved in this work. Working together on this project has been extraordinarily educational and rewarding for all involved.”

The interdisciplinary text includes chapters that focus on the arts and is growing to include education on genocides beyond the Holocaust. Published portions of “The Holocaust: Remembrance, Respect, and Resilience” (Preview Edition) can now be viewed at the website. For more information, contact Polgar at [email protected].

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