HIST 2240 History of Antisemitism and the Holocaust University of Manitoba
Course Description This course examines Antisemitism as a central phenomenon of Western history. We will study its theological origins in the conflict between Judaism, the Jesus Movement, and the early Church, follow its development through the Middle Ages, examine its secularized forms during the modern period, and conclude with a discussion of contemporary Antisemitism, including that of the Islamic world. The Nazi destruction of European Jewry, a central focus of the course, will be examined within the context of modern German history and as a culmination of the long history of Antisemitism.
The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to investigate antisemitism and the Holocaust historically and to study some of the major debates in these related fields. Questions of historical interpretation will be discussed, such as: what role did antisemitism play in the Nazi Final Solution; did Hitler plan to destroy the Jewish people from the beginning of his political career or was mass murder the end result of a historically determined process; is the Holocaust unique, and if so why; was the Holocaust inevitable; and, how does antisemitism evolve and why does it persist?
The assignments for this class allow students to discover for themselves the problems associated with historical conceptualization and interpretation. Questions and active participation are encouraged.
Course Materials Please Note: The films shown in class are considered course materials and may be included on the final examination.
UM Bookstore 1. Raymond Scheindlin, A Short History of the Jewish People: From Legendary Times to Modern Statehood 2. Edward Flannery, The Anguish of the Jews 3. Beth Griech-Polelle, Antisemitism and the Holocaust: Language, Rhetoric, and the Traditions of Hatred 4. Catherine Chatterley, Disenchantment: George Steiner and the Meaning of Western Civilization After Auschwitz
Additional Readings 1. Click here for links to online material and to the Holocaust Timeline
Course Requirements & Assignments This course will combine readings, lectures, film, and discussion. Each student will write two 6-8 page essays (1500-2000 words excluding notes and bibliography). Note: both essays must receive passing grades to pass this course.
1. The first paper will explain George Steiner’s theory of antisemitism (including his understanding of the Holocaust) in the book entitled Disenchantment.
2. For the second paper, each student will write an essay analyzing the Nazi children’s book by Elwira Bauer entitled Trau keinem Fuchs auf grüner Heid und keinem Jüd auf seinem Eid (Trust No Fox on His Green Heath and No Jew on His Oath) (Nuremberg: Stürmer Verlag, 1936).
3. Students will write a test in class and a final exam.
Distribution of Grade Values Essay #1 20% Essay Due in Class: Wednesday, November 29, 2017 Class Test 20% In Class: Wednesday, December 6, 2017 Essay #2 20% Essay Due in Class: Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Final Exam 40% Date: TBA
Range of Letter Grades A+ 90-100 A 80-89 B+ 75-79 B 70-74 C+ 65-69 C 60-64 D 50-59 F 0-49
Important Notices – Please Read
Essays All written work must be typewritten, double-spaced, and follow the Chicago Manual of Style. Footnotes and bibliography must accompany all written work.
Late essays All written work must be submitted in class by the deadlines noted above. Late papers will not be accepted without my permission. I will only consider requests for an extension if they are based upon proven medical or family emergencies (a doctor’s letter is required).
Rewrites: Essays are submitted once in this course and are not re-written. Please note the university regulation on passing both essays to pass the course.
Attendance and Participation Students are expected to attend all classes and to be prepared to discuss the assigned materials. If you have no choice but to miss a class, please send me an explanation via email.
Online Research Students may use legitimate academic websites for research (see the Links page of this website). Wikipedia is not a legitimate source for information and should not be used to research academic essays. Students often unwittingly use antisemitic and racist websites so it is best to use the links on my site or ask for my help if you are unsure about the quality of a site.
Technology Email, texting, and the Internet are not to be used during class time, therefore the following items are to be shut off and put away in class: laptop computers, tablets, and cell phones. Recording devices are not to be used in class.
Class You are welcome to bring a drink to class but please refrain from eating.
Contact My preferred method of contact outside office hours is email. Please remember to identify the course name or number as the subject so I recognize and read your message.
Voluntary Withdrawal Evaluation of term work will be provided prior to the deadline for Voluntary Withdrawal.
Student Resources There are writing tutors available to help you with your essays through the Academic Learning Centre (ALC). The ALC page also has resources to help you with study skills, organization, as well as assistance for students using English as an Additional Language (EAL). Other issues, including accessibility services, workshops, and tips about academic integrity are addressed at the Student Advocacy Services webpage.
The History department will also make a writing tutor available exclusively to History students in the department on two days of the week. History students can also take advantage of the huge range of academic materials available online at the UM library.
Academic Regulations and Policies Students should make themselves aware of University Regulations on academic dishonesty.
The common penalty in Arts for plagiarism on a written assignment is a grade of F on the paper and a final grade of F (DISC) (for Disciplinary Action) for the course. For the most serious acts of plagiarism, such as purchase of an essay and repeat violations, this penalty can also include suspension for a period of up to five (5) years from registration in courses taught in a particular department or program in Arts or from all courses taught in this Faculty. The Faculty also reserves the right to submit student work that is suspected of being plagiarized to Internet sites designed to detect plagiarism or to other experts for authentication. The common penalty in Arts for academic dishonesty on a test or examination is F for the paper, F (DISC) for the course, and a one-year suspension from courses acceptable for credit in the Faculty. For more serious acts of academic dishonesty on a test or examination, such as repeat violations, this penalty can also include suspension for a period of up to five years from registration in courses taught in a particular department or program in Arts or from all courses taught in or accepted for credit by this Faculty.
Since this is a course that meets the University Senate's W requirement, students must complete all essay assignments with a passing grade to pass the course.
Students who wish to appeal a grade given for term work must do so within 10 working days after the grade for the term work has been made available to them.
Uncollected term work will become the property of the Faculty of Arts and will be subject to confidential destruction.
Student Academic Resources
You have access to several important resources to help you navigate your classes and university life more generally. There are writing tutors available to help you with your essays through the Academic Learning Centre (ALC): http://umanitoba.ca/student/academiclearning/. The History department will also make a writing tutor available exclusively to History students in the department on one day a week. More information about scheduling, etc., TBA.
The ALC page also has resources to help you with study skills, organization, as well as assistance for students using English as an Additional Language (EAL). Other issues, including accessibility services, workshops, and tips about academic integrity are addressed at the Student Advocacy Services webpage (http://umanitoba.ca/student/resource/student_advocacy/).
History students can also take advantage of the huge range of academic materials (including primary and secondary sources, as well as pages to help with writing and referencing) made available by the History subject librarian, tailored just for you! They are available on the Libraries page at this link: http://libguides.lib.umanitoba.ca/history. Students who need research assistance can also schedule an appointment with a librarian through the website.
Student Counseling Centre Contact SCC if you are concerned about any aspect of your mental health, including anxiety, stress, or depression, or for help with relationships or other life concerns. SCC offers crisis services as well as counseling. http://umanitoba.ca/student/counselling/index.html
Student Support Case Management Contact the Student Support Case Management team if you are concerned about yourself or another student and don’t know where to turn. SSCM helps connect students with on and off campus resources, provides safety planning, and offers other supports, including consultation, educational workshops, and referral to the STATIS threat assessment team. http://umanitoba.ca/student/case-manager/index.html
University Health Service Contact UHS for any medical concerns, including mental health problems. UHS offers a full range of medical services to students, including psychiatric consultation. http://umanitoba.ca/student/health/
Student Advocacy Contact Student Advocacy if you want to know more about your rights and responsibilities as a student, have questions about policies and procedures, and/or want support in dealing with academic or discipline concerns. http://umanitoba.ca/student/advocacy
UM History Student Association (UMHiSA) UMHiSA is a history undergraduate student run organization that seeks to establish a sense of community for students studying all facets of history, and provide support for them in their academic career. Students interested in fun times, spirited debate, new opportunities, a community of like-minded students, or all of the above, check out UMHiSA on our facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/422932261087799/ or emailing umhisau@gmail.com.