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The Holocaust in German Literature and Film


Course Description

Literary and cinematic representations of the Holocaust from post-war to contemporary Germany. Topics include: artistic versus historical truth, moral and ethical dimensions, representation in different media. Additional readings address the social, political, and cultural significance of the Holocaust in German society. Taught in German.

Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be responsible for a formal oral presentation. They will also read more primary and secondary materials, which will be incorporated into the final examination and the final paper. Requirements for the final research paper will be different for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates will be expected to write an 8-10 page paper, while graduate students will be required to complete a 12-17 page research project.


Athena Title

Holocaust German Lit and Film


Prerequisite

GRMN 3010 or GRMN 3015


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Course Objectives

Knowledge of attitudes towards the Holocaust from post-war to contemporary Germany; grasp of the intersection of moral and aesthetic questions in Holocaust literature and film; the implications for art's role in society in general; understanding of the function of authenticity in the cinematic and literary representations of the Holocaust. Readings, films, and written assignments will ask students to engage with the complex ethical issues that arise in the context of the Holocaust. Students will be evaluated on the basis of in-class discussions and oral presentations, written assignments, such as response papers and a final research paper, and a midterm exam.


Topical Outline

1. A brief history of the Holocaust 2. Holocaust testimony: authenticity in literature and film 3. The artistic representation of the Holocaust: Imagination vs. representation 4. The Holocaust in East and West Germany


Syllabus