JEWS AND RACE
Takes a comparative look at the multiple intersections between Jewish history and histories of racism. Covers relevant case studies ranging from the Bible to the present, in order to analyze the long, global trajectory that has shaped issues of race and racial inequality in the United States and beyond. Topics include the so-called "curse of Ham"; the role of "the Jew" in medieval Christian theology; the demonization of Jews and Muslims during the Crusades; the interaction between Jews, European colonialism, and transatlantic slavery; nineteenth-century debates about "Semites"; the racialization of Jews during the Holocaust; the role of race and racism in the development of Zionism and the history of the Palestinian Nakba; debates about Black-Jewish relations in the United States; the question of Jews and whiteness; as well as historical encounters between Jews and Native Americans.
Topics
- the so-called "curse of Ham"
- the role of "the Jew" in medieval Christian theology
- the demonization of Jews and Muslims during the Crusades
- the interaction between Jews
- European colonialism
- and transatlantic slavery
- nineteenth-century debates about "Semites"
- the racialization of Jews during the Holocaust
- the role of race and racism in the development of Zionism and the history of the Palestinian Nakba
- debates about Black-Jewish relations in the United States
- the question of Jews and whiteness
- as well as historical encounters between Jews and Native Americans
Topics explicitly listed in official catalogue description
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: None Course Designation: Core GenEd - Civics & Perspectives Ethnic St - Ethnic Studies Breadth - Humanities Level - Elementary L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2024 Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of significant moments at the intersection of Jewish history and the history of racism Audience: Undergraduate 2. Articulate how the past has affected present day circumstances regarding race and racial inequalities in the U.S. and in a global context Audience: Undergraduate 3. Recognize and question cultural assumptions and knowledge claims as they relate to race and ethnicity Audience: Undergraduate 4. Demonstrate self-awareness and empathy toward the cultural perspectives and worldviews of others Audience: Undergraduate 5. Cultivate skills in textual analysis and evaluate formal and structural elements in a range of media (e.g., essays, academic writing, oratory, visual art, etc) Audience: Undergraduate 6. Write original, coherent, and compelling arguments that push beyond summary to analysis and independent and critical thinking in clear prose that meets expectations for grammatical correctness Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Demonstrate knowledge of significant moments at the intersection of Jewish history and the history of racism Audience: Undergraduate 2. Articulate how the past has affected present day circumstances regarding race and racial inequalities in the U.S. and in a global context Audience: Undergraduate 3. Recognize and question cultural assumptions and knowledge claims as they relate to race and ethnicity Audience: Undergraduate 4. Demonstrate self-awareness and empathy toward the cultural perspectives and worldviews of others Audience: Undergraduate 5. Cultivate skills in textual analysis and evaluate formal and structural elements in a range of media (e.g., essays, academic writing, oratory, visual art, etc) Audience: Undergraduate 6. Write original, coherent, and compelling arguments that push beyond summary to analysis and independent and critical thinking in clear prose that meets expectations for grammatical correctness Audience: Undergraduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027