Magic Monsters & the Holocaust (360-0-20)

Instructors

Danny M. Cohen

Meeting Info

Annenberg Hall 303: Tues, Thurs 12:30PM - 1:50PM

Overview of class

How has the Holocaust come to be represented in popular culture? Through feature films and works of fiction, we will explore how certain tropes and narrative framings affect our perceptions and collective memories of Holocaust history. What lessons from history do popular films and literature attempt to convey? And what unintended lessons do they carry? We will consider how movies and literature about the Holocaust intended for young people may affect their perceptions of atrocities today. And we will ask questions about the gaps and misconceptions that Holocaust film and fiction can leave in their wake. Creative responses to core course texts will be used to assess student learning, and students will have the opportunity to develop an original project connected to the course themes.

Teaching Method

Interactive Lectures, Film Analysis, Journal Entires, Creative Responses, Group Open Projects

Class Materials (Required)

"Briar Rose" by Jane Yolen
"The True Story of Hansel and Gretel" by Louise Murphy

Class Attributes

Attendance at 1st class mandatory

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Students who have already taken the SESP 351 Public Learning Through The Arts: Magic, Monsters & The Holocaust cannot take this course.