German 399—The Holocaust in German Literature and Film

GEC course - 5 Credit Hours

The call number can be found on the University Registrar's Web site.

Taught entirely in English; no prerequisites.

What is the Holocaust? How could it happen? What have been the main strategies for representing the Holocaust through literature and film in German culture? How have literary and filmic representations of the Holocaust shaped its meaning for us? In this course, we will address these large and difficult questions. We will begin by surveying recent theories of eliminationist antisemitism, while looking closely at the place of European Jews in the antisemitic imagination. From there we will proceed to critical readings of German primary sources, which will include letters, diaries, short stories, novels, propaganda of various kinds and films.

If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact your instructor to arrange an appointment as soon as possible. At the appointment, we can discuss the course format, anticipate your needs and explore potential accommodations. We rely on the Office for Disability Services for assistance in verifying the need for accommodations and developing accommodation strategies. If you have not previously contacted the Office for Disability Services, we encourage you to do so.