The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry is an adaptation of an on-campus course that has been co-taught by Murray Baumgarten, Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature (Literature Department), and Peter Kenez, Professor Emeritus (History Department), for over 20 years at UC Santa Cruz.
The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry
The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry
Instructors: Murray Baumgarten
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.6
(181 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 30 hours
Learn at your own pace
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What you'll learn
Describe the origins and development of antisemitism.
Explain the role of emancipation, acculturation, and assimilation on European Jewry.
Describe the political and social environment of 1930s Germany.
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Taught in English
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There are 8 modules in this course
This module is an introduction to the study of the Holocaust and a prehistory of the Holocaust. Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the roots of modern antisemitism, the culture of European Jews in the 19th century, Nehama Tec’s Dry Tears, and the various genres of Holocaust literature. The module also contains general information about the course.
What's included
13 videos7 readings
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the changing demographics and political landscape of early 20th century Eastern Europe, Jewish identity, the Bildungsroman, Silvano Arieti’s The Parnas, Primo Levi’s Survival in Auschwitz, Aharon Appelfeld’s Badenheim 1939, and Elie Wiesel’s Night.
What's included
19 videos1 reading
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the political and social environment of 1930s Germany, the Jewish question, and the treatment of evil in poetry.
What's included
14 videos7 readings
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the conditions that were necessary for the Holocaust to occur, the early events of World War II, Thomas Kenneally’s Schindlers List, Andres Schwartz-Bart’s The Last of the Just, and questions of guilt and responsibility.
What's included
15 videos1 reading1 peer review
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the invasion of the Soviet Union, Thomas Kenneally’s Schindler’s List, and questions of witnessing. Guest speaker Dora Sorell shares her own experience of the Holocaust.
What's included
16 videos1 reading
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the establishment of labor and extermination camps, memorialization, Tadeusz Borowski’s This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Christopher Browning’s Ordinary Men.
What's included
11 videos1 reading1 peer review
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the Holocaust in Western Europe, the complex history of Hungary, Imre Kertész’s Fatelessness, and Ida Fink’s A Scrap of Time.
What's included
20 videos3 readings
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the unique case of Romania, the culpability of the outside world, and the end of World War II. The text of Adolf Hitler’s last testament is provided.
What's included
11 videos2 readings1 peer review
Instructors
Instructor ratings
4.5 (22 ratings)Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in History
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Northwestern University
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4.6
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RM
5
Reviewed on Aug 5, 2021
If I did not cite when rating this course, THANK YOU to both professors, Coursera, and all involved in making this valuable course available!! Rick
JD
5
Reviewed on Oct 27, 2015
I love the course, love the professors. Great course! Thank you!
JB
5
Reviewed on Mar 4, 2017
Took this course for job purposes. It is great for everyone, although I believe that people with some background in comparative literature will benefit from it the most,
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