2:30p-3:45p TR (30) 3 cr.
TOPIC: LITERATURE OF THE HOLOCAUST
Among the most compelling literatures of our day is that which records
and seeks to
interpret the Nazi war of genocide against the Jews. This course will
introduce students to
this literature and encourage them to reflect upon many of the
profound questions it raises.
Some of these questions will focus on literature's role in the shaping
of historical memory.
How the past is represented and comes to acquire a future in
collective memory will be a
preoccupying concern of our semester's work. Other questions will
focus on issues of the
most serious cultural, moral, ethical, and religious kind. For
instance, if it is true, as
Elie Wiesel claims, that at Auschwitz not only man died but also the
idea of man, how do we
now conceive of the human? What does a person become when nothing is
any longer forbidden
him? Why did art, intellect, and religion not defend against
political barbarism? Is
forgiveness possible after Auschwitz? These and related questions
will preoccupy us over
the course of the semester.
The list of required readings for this course includes the
following:
Anne Frank, The Diary of A Young GirlIn addition to the above, there will be some mimeographed handouts of poetry and other material, and at least one film will be shown. Also, you will be encouraged to attend any lectures on the Holocaust that may be presented this semester by visiting scholars.
Elie Wiesel, Night
Primo Levi,Survival in Auschwitz
Primo Levi, The Drowned and the Saved
Tadeusz Borowski, This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen
Chaim A. Kaplan, Scroll of Agony: The Warsaw Diary of Chaim A. Kaplan
Bernhard Schlink, The Reader
Written work will include three examinations and an optional term
paper for those students
who wish to write one.
Given the nature of the subject matter, this will be a demanding
course. Students who sign
up for it will be expected to do the assigned readings on time, attend
all class meetings,
and participate actively in class discussion of the literature.
Repeated unexcused absences
will lower your grade for the course. If you have questions and would
like to speak with me
personally before enrolling, please call me (at 855-8358) or contact
me over e-mail at
ROSENFEL@indiana.edu.