The module of this essay is regarding to modernity and different theoriest’s critique on modernity.
There is a vast literature on the Holocaust. Zygmunt Bauman’s argument is a specifically sociological (rather than historical or psychological) one and you will need to read his book thoroughly and carefully. and yes, Debates as to the uniqueness (or otherwise) of the Holocaust and the willingness (or otherwise) of its perpetrators are relevant.
But, be careful. Your focus should be on the relationship between the Holocaust and modernity. Do not get side-tracked into, for example, the ins-and-outs of the Goldhagen debate!
These are readings to refer to:
– Bauman, r(1989): Modernity and the Holocaust Polity Press, Cambridge. Ch 4 pp. 83-116.
Further Reading:
– Bauman, Zygmunt (1989): Modernity and the Holocaust Polity Press, Cambridge.
– Arendt, Hannah (1994): Eichmann in Jerusalem: A report on the Banality of Evil Penguin, Harmondsworth.
– Smith, Dennis (1999): Zygmunt Bauman: Prophet of Postmodernity Polity Press, Cambridge esp Part 2 chs 8 and 9.
– Fine , Robert and Turner, Charles (2000): Social Theory after the Holocaust Liverpool UP, Liverpool. Esp ch 1 pp. 7-18
– Bergen, Bernard (1998): The Banality of Evil: Hannah Arendt and the ‘Final Solution’ Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Lanham
– Gigliotti, Simone and Lang, Berel eds (2005): The Holocaust: A Reader Blackwell’s Oxford esp. ch 25 by Mark Levene
– Berenbaum, Michael and Peck, Abraham eds (1998): The Holocaust and History UP of Indiana, Bloomington IN esp Part 4 ch 15 by Hans Mommsen and Part 5 ‘Ordinary Men’
– Rosenbaum ed (1998) Is the Holocaust Unique? Westview Press, Boulder CO.
– Goldhagen, Daniel (1996): Hitler’s Willing Executioners Abacsus, London
– Shandley, Robert (1998): Unwilling Germans? The Goldhagen Debate. UP of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN