JS 231Antisemitism

Hatred of Jews has a long history and appears in a wide variety of forms. Since resurgences of antisemitism cannot be understood without knowledge of their historical roots and manifestations, this course will provide its historical, ideological, and conceptual backgrounds. Students will examine how Jews have been imagined as embodying the antithesis of whatever is valued most in religion, philosophy, race, economics, culture, or ideology. Through readings, films, and discussions, students will explore the many forms that antisemitism has taken, including the demonization of Jews from antiquity through the Middle Ages, to the genocidal racism of the Holocaust in the 20th century, and onto contemporary trends related to politics, a Jewish State, and online conspiracy theories.