The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry is an adaptation of an on-campus course that has been co-taught by Murray Baumgarten, Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature (Literature Department), and Peter Kenez, Professor Emeritus (History Department), for over 20 years at UC Santa Cruz.
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The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry
University of California, Santa Cruz
About this Course
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Approx. 34 hours to complete
Suggested: 3 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Offered by
University of California, Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
4 hours to complete
Who were the Jews?
This module is an introduction to the study of the Holocaust and a prehistory of the Holocaust. Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the roots of modern antisemitism, the culture of European Jews in the 19th century, Nehama Tec’s Dry Tears, and the various genres of Holocaust literature. The module also contains general information about the course.
4 hours to complete
13 videos (Total 161 min), 7 readings
13 videos
1.1.2 Who were the Jews?7m
1.1.3 Why do we study the Holocaust?12m
1.1.4 Poetry and perspectives16m
1.2.1 Western European Jewry in the 19th century9m
1.2.2 Jewish success and European antisemitism14m
1.2.3 Jews in French society14m
1.2.4 Roots of modern antisemitism6m
1.2.5 Theodor Herzl11m
1.3.1 Expectations of reality13m
1.3.2 Hier ist kein warum11m
1.3.3 Yiddish culture13m
1.3.4 On Account of a Hat18m
7 readings
Description10m
Books and films10m
Writing assignments10m
Acknowledgements10m
1.0.1 Topics, readings, and films10m
1.1.5 Written in Pencil in the Sealed Railway-Car (English translation)10m
1.3.5 On Account of a Hat (English translation)10m
4 hours to complete
Prelude to the Holocaust
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the changing demographics and political landscape of early 20th century Eastern Europe, Jewish identity, the Bildungsroman, Silvano Arieti’s The Parnas, Primo Levi’s Survival in Auschwitz, Aharon Appelfeld’s Badenheim 1939, and Elie Wiesel’s Night.
4 hours to complete
19 videos (Total 231 min), 1 reading
19 videos
2.1.2 Poland, part 110m
2.1.3 Poland, part 27m
2.1.4 Hungary, part 110m
2.1.5 Hungary, part 212m
2.1.6 Fear and hatred5m
2.2.1 Liberal European culture9m
2.2.2 Night, part 111m
2.2.3 Night, part 214m
2.2.4 Life in the Arbeitslager14m
2.3.1 Jewry of the Russian Empire18m
2.3.2 The Russian state16m
2.3.3 Changing demographics9m
2.3.4 Pogroms in the Russian Empire and the USSR13m
2.3.5 Jewish identity7m
2.4.1 The Bildungsroman, part 17m
2.4.2 The Bildungsroman, part 218m
2.4.3 The Bildungsroman, part 320m
2.4.4 The Bildungsroman, part 412m
1 reading
2.0.1 Topics, readings, and films10m
4 hours to complete
Rise of the Nazis
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the political and social environment of 1930s Germany, the Jewish question, and the treatment of evil in poetry.
4 hours to complete
14 videos (Total 173 min), 7 readings
14 videos
3.1.2 Hitler and the Jews14m
3.1.3 Germans and the Jews13m
3.1.4 The rise of the Nazis11m
3.1.5 Nazism in German culture5m
3.2.1 Poetry and evil, part 113m
3.2.2 Poetry and evil, part 215m
3.2.3 Poetry and evil, part 37m
3.2.4 Todesfugue (Death Fugue)16m
3.3.1 Intentionalism and functionalism20m
3.3.2 What do we do with the Jews?15m
3.3.3 Why didn't they leave?13m
3.3.4 The Anschluß and German pogroms5m
3.3.5 Passing and not passing8m
7 readings
3.0.1 Topics, readings, and films10m
3.2.5 Kaddish10m
3.2.6 Nightsong (English translation)10m
3.2.7 Death Fugue (English translation)10m
3.2.8 Todesfuge (German)10m
3.2.9 Memento Mori (English translation)10m
3.2.10 Memento Mori (Yiddish)10m
5 hours to complete
Beginnings of war
In this module Profs. Baumgarten and Kenez discuss the conditions that were necessary for the Holocaust to occur, the early events of World War II, Thomas Kenneally’s Schindlers List, Andres Schwartz-Bart’s The Last of the Just, and questions of guilt and responsibility.
5 hours to complete
15 videos (Total 188 min), 1 reading, 1 quiz
15 videos
4.1.2 Direct acts of violence14m
4.1.3 Fight for what?13m
4.1.4 Eroticization of violence13m
4.1.5 Resistance and agency5m
4.2.1 Beginnings of war9m
4.2.2 German war aims10m
4.2.3 Ghettoes16m
4.2.4 Jewish leadership14m
4.2.5 What did the neighbors say?12m
4.3.1 Language of trauma15m
4.3.2 Banality of evil15m
4.3.3 Schindler's List, part 110m
4.3.4 Schindler's List, part 216m
4.3.5 Guilt and responsibility4m
1 reading
4.0.1 Topics, readings, and films10m
Reviews
4.6
TOP REVIEWS FROM THE HOLOCAUST: THE DESTRUCTION OF EUROPEAN JEWRY
by SBAug 27, 2019
Lots of work, only 3 short papers, but lots of reading. Very interesting and enjoyable. Really went into depth with lots of history and literature discussed. Informative lectures.
by RKNov 8, 2015
I want to say how much I especially enjoyed Dr Kenez and his very clear and concise lectures on the historical aspects of the subject matter. Thank you very much. Richard Kilgore
by BBNov 5, 2015
The presentations raise vital questions , dis-aggregates historical experience and has generated interest in me to study the issues further . Many thanks to the Professors.
by JBMar 4, 2017
Took this course for job purposes. It is great for everyone, although I believe that people with some background in comparative literature will benefit from it the most,
by KNJun 19, 2016
Dark and disturbing though the course material is, this course is an absolute must for all who are interested in the Shoah and the depths of mans' inhumanity.
by SMNov 25, 2015
This was very interesting, I had to keep listening, it made it so personal. (I had relatives who perished in Minsk) Excellent course and fascinating tutors.
by LRJul 19, 2017
Absolutely adored this class and the instructors!! So much valuable information and first-hand experience, delightfully delivered in these special lectures.
by RKSep 22, 2015
This was an excellent historical account of the Holocaust. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and personal accounts of this event.
by JFOct 17, 2015
Fascinating historical, sociological, cultural, and literary journey through the Holocaust and the years preceding and following.
by GWOct 27, 2015
I found this course extremely informative. I would recommend it to anyone interested in a detailed history on the Holocaust.
by JDOct 27, 2015
I love the course, love the professors. Great course! Thank you!
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