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Academic Year 2004/2005


Jewish Writers Writing Germany
GERM 271 SP

Crosslistings:
GELT 271

How large has the Jewish population in post-WWII Germany been? Why have children and grandchildren of Shoah survivors chosen to make Germany their home? What do they have to say about contemporary German society? This course will examine these questions and others as we read literary and autobiographical texts in translation by contemporary German Jewish authors. Special attention will be paid to how the authors create identity positions in the texts and situate themselves within the context of German cultural history. In order to better understand the complex cultural and social positions of Jews in Germany--both East and West--and Austria after WWII, we will read Leslie Morris and Jack Zipes's UNLIKELY HISTORY, as well as short theoretical pieces on identity politics and gender theory. Major readings will include several short texts by Maxim Biller, Esther Dischereit, and others, excerpts from Robert Schindel's GEBURTIG (all in JEWISH VOICES, GERMAN WORDS), as well as Ruth Kluger's memoir, STILL ALIVE: A HOLOCAUST GIRLHOOD REMEMBERED and Jurek Becker's BRONSTEIN'S CHILDREN.

MAJOR READINGS

Jurek Becker, BRONSTEIN'S CHILDREN
Ruth Kluger, STILL ALIVE: A HOLOCAUST GIRLHOOD REMEMBERED
Elena Lappin, ed., JEWISH VOICES, GERMAN WORDS: GROWING UP JEWISH IN POSTWAR GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
Leslie Morris & Jack Zipes, eds., UNLIKELY HISTORY: THE CHANGING GERMAN-JEWISH SYMBIOSIS, 1945-2000

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Four short papers, weekly reading journal, oral presentation.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: NONE    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005


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