Violence committed against individuals because of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation remains a serious problem in the United States of America. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported school and college settings as the third most frequent location for hate crimes in 2006 (FBI, 2008). The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the use of college Holocaust and Genocide Studies courses as a tool for assisting college students in recognizing prejudices in and around themselves. The results of this research showed that only a small, but significant number of students became more aware of prejudice within themselves. However, the research data did show that a significant number of students became motivated to combat prejudice and felt empowered to make a difference in society after taking a 15-week Holocaust and Genocide Studies course. There is sufficient data to suggest further study is warranted to determine if enrolling in college level semester courses about the Holocaust and Genocides can assist students from colleges or universities more geographically and culturally diverse in recognizing prejudiced behavior within and around themselves. There is also sufficient data to suggest further study on the use of courses on the Holocaust and Genocides to create a motivated and empowered student body to combat prejudiced behaviors and attitudes in society. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]