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Academic Year 2003/2004

Resurrection, Destruction, and Exile: Studies in Modern Yiddish Literature and Culture
GERM 270 SP
Crosslistings:
COL 271
GELT 270

Focusing on Yiddish literary and cultural tradition, this course will explore the diverse currents of Yiddish expression from the late 19th century to the post-Shoah era. The primary works (in English translation) will include prominent examples of prose, poetry, drama, film and the visual arts. We will also examine a selection of related theoretical and literary-historical texts. Some of the main questions addressed in this course will be, How does Yiddish literature conform to and/or deviate from Western models of aesthetic production? What relationship does European modernism have to its Yiddish counterpart? How might Yiddish culture be viewed in light of current discussions of cultural identity formation?

MAJOR READINGS

Mendele Moykher Sforim, THE TRAVELS OF BENJAMIN THE THIRD
I.L. Peretz, THE I.L. PERETZ READER
Sholem Aleichem, TEVYE THE DAIRYMAN AND THE RAILROAD STORIES
Isaac Beshevis Singer, COLLECTED STORIES
Sh. Ansky, THE DYBBUK
Anthology of Yiddish Poetry
Films: YIDL MITN FIDL, TEVYE, THE DYBBUK, GRINE FELDER
Selections from Benjamin Harshav, Irving Howe, Ruth Wisse, Sol Liptzin, and others.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Reading journal, mid-term exam, and take-home final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students of all disciplinary backgrounds and majors are invited to enroll. No previous knowledge of Yiddish required.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA GERM    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

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