In December, third year students studying on the School of Social Sciences’ Issues in State Crime module took part in a Century of War and Holocaust tour at the Imperial War Museum to further their understanding on conflict and the impact of war.
The Westminster students took part in two private tours led by expert guides at London’s Imperial War Museum. Having covered war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing and other serious international crimes during the Issues in State Crime module, students gained a deeper understanding of the many ways these events impacted everyday people and shaped the course of the twentieth century.
The Century of War tour gave students the chance to see an array of objects that told stories of past wars from the First World War up to the present day, including a Harrier jet, Spitfire plane and a V2 rocket. A key focus was the changing nature of war, driven by technological developments.
The Holocaust Gallery tour furthered students’ understanding of the drivers of genocide and showed the importance of remembering past atrocities. Through over 2,000 photos, letters, books, personal objects and artwork, the gallery tells stories from those killed in the Holocaust.
About the visit Dr Lea Sitkin, Assistant Head of the School of Social Sciences, said: “This was a deeply thought-provoking experience, with everything from missiles to reconstructed bomb shelters to bombed out vehicles on show at the museum. By bringing out students out of the classroom, we are able to give them a much deeper and visceral understanding of the politics of war, genocide and conflict, and their impact on human populations.”
Find out more about the School of Social Sciences at the University of Westminster.
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