This course examines Germany’s legal responses to the Holocaust and their enduring impact on international and domestic law. It focuses on three key areas: the trials of Nazi perpetrators, the reparations framework for Holocaust victims, and the development of memory laws that criminalize Holocaust denial and distortion. Through these lenses, the course explores how Germany has navigated the complex processes of accountability, restitution, and remembrance.

Students will analyze landmark trials such as Nuremberg and Auschwitz, Germany’s reparations policies, and its legislative approach to combating Holocaust denial. The course will also address the broader implications of these measures, including their influence on global justice initiatives and Germany’s role as a leader in shaping international law and human rights. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how these legal measures have shaped Germany’s historical reckoning and continue to inform its political and legal identity.