WHAT IF Nazi Germany won? Alternate histories of the Second World War in academic studies, prose fiction and film 3301-LB2036-2ST
Course for MA level students.
The aim of this course is the study of the phenomenon of alternate histories of the Second World War which have become one of the most vivid examples of a re-assessment of the functions of history during the so-called "Entertainment Revolution." The topics for discussion will include the defining characteristics of alternate history as genre, the impact of postmodernism, the issue of historical "truth" in academic re-writings of the war, a comparison of novel and film in their capacity to generate a credible alternate reality, the differences in national approaches to the re-imagining of the Second World (e.g. British, American and German examples of alternate histories), the attitudes to the Third Reich in the context of a cultural "normalization" of the subject of Nazi Germany. We will also attempt to define the document in relation to history, in the context of the purposes of speculation in historical analyses of the past.
The thematic scope of the classes: (1) introduction to the gnere of alternate histoires, (2) comparing alterane and counterfactual histoires, (3)the “normalization” of the Third Reich in popular culture, (4, 5) film analysis
It Happened Here , dir. Kevin Brownlow,, (6) film analysis Channel Islands Occupied , (7) film analysis Hitler’s Britain, (8) Len Deighton SS-GB and SS-GB mini-series, (9) Robert Harris Fatherland and Fatherland, dir. Christoper Menaul, (10) Murray Davies Collaborator and Inglorious Basterds dir. Quentin Tarantino, (11) Daniel Quinn After Dachau, (12) Stephen Fry Making History, (13) Philip K. Dick The Man in the High Castle and The Man in the High Castle, 5, Frank Spotnitz, (14) Marcin Ciszewski www.1939.com.pl, (15 )Katherine Burdekin Swastika Night
Course coordinators
Mode
Learning outcomes
Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
K_W01 advanced terminology, theory and research methods corresponding to the state of the art in the disciplines of literary studies , in accordance with their chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_W04 concepts and principles concerning the protection of intellectual property and copyright
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 apply the advanced terminology, theories and research methods of literary studies to solve complex and original research problems in accordance with his/her chosen specialization (and educational path)
K_U04 apply the concepts and principles of intellectual property protection and copyright law
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K01 critically appraise their knowledge and content obtained from various sources
K_K02 recognize the importance of knowledge in solving cognitive and practical problems; consult experts when required
*** Applies to students who began their studies in the year 2022/2023 ***
Knowledge
Students will have in-depth familiarity with:
K_W01 Identify and characterize on an advanced level the place and status of literary studies within the humanities
K_W02 Describe on an advanced level the current trends in literary studies research within English studies
K_W04 Characterize on an advanced level the principles of research design in literary studies with special focus on the application of methods and tools in formulating research problems
K_W05 Identify the notions and principles pertinent to intellectual property and copyright
Abilities
Students will be able to:
K_U01 Apply advanced terminology and notions pertinent to the discipline (lliterary studies)
K_U02 Apply advanced research methodology within literary studies and English studies, respecting ethical norms and copyright law
K_U03 Apply knowledge obtained during the course of studies to account for and solve a problem, thereby completing a research task related to the discipline literary studies
K_U04 Analyze literary l phenomena and draw generalizations on their basis in the context of societal, historical and economic factors on an advanced level
K_U05 Discern alternative methodological paradigms within a discipline
K_U06 Find information in various sources and critically assess its usefulness for research related to the topic of the MA project
Social competences
Students will be ready to:
K_K02 Apply knowledge and skills obtained during the course of studies to undertake lifelong learning, as well as personal and professional development
K_K03 Take responsibility for performing one’s professional duties, with due respect for the work of others, obey and develop the ethical norms in professional and academic settings related to the disciplines included on the curriculum of English studies
K_K04 Assess critically one’s own knowledge and skills related to the studies
K_K06 Value cultural heritage and cultural diversity as well as individual opinions
Assessment criteria
Written test (verification of outcomes: W, U, ).
number of absences allowed - 3
No AI
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the classroom is governed by the rules set forth in Resolution No. 16 of the Teaching Council for the programs English Studies, English Studies – Linguistics, and English Studies – Literature and Culture of 9 December 2025
https://ia.uw.edu.pl/fileadmin/ilustracje/dokumenty/2026/RD_IA_2025_UCHWALA_nr16_narzedzia_AI_nowelizacja_ZAL2_EN.pdf
Bibliography
Primary texts:
Robert Harris Fatherland
Len Deighton SS-GB
Philip K. Dick The Man in the High Castle
Daniel Quinn, After Dachau
Stephen Fry Making History
Murray Davies Collaborator
Marcin Ciszewski, www.1939.com.pl
Katherine Burdekin Swastika Night
Film:
It Happened Here, dir. Kevin Brownlow
Channel Islands Occupied (documentary film about an actual occupation)
Hitler’s Britain (documentary about an occupation that never took place)
Fatherland , dir. Christoper Menaul
Inglorious Basterds dir. Quentin Tarantino
SS-GB , dir. Philipp Kadelbach
The Man in the High Castle, ,dir. Frank Spotnitz
Jojo Rabbit, dir. Taika Waititi
Secondary sources:
Niall Ferguson, “Introduction” to Virtual History: Alternatives and Counterfactuals: “Towards Chaohistory”
Richard J. Evans „Wishful Thinking” (Altered Pasts)
Karen Hellekson The Alternate History: Refiguring Historical Time
Gavriel D. Rosenfeld „Introduction” to The World Hitler Never Made: Alternate History and the Memory of Nazism
Gavriel D. Rosenfeld Hi Hitler! How the Nazi Past is Being Normalized in Contemporary Culture
Gavriel D. Rosenfeld The Fourth Reich: The Specter of Nazism from World War II to the Present
Susan Sontag “Fascinating Fascism” (Under the Sign of Saturn)