Fall 2003

AMS 370 • America and the Holocaust

Course Description

This course will investigate ways of perceiving the importance of the Holocaust in American history, politics, and culture. It will consist of meetings that are part lecture and part discussion, in which the readings will root the class in topics that we will then discuss and for which I will be giving wider background.

Grading Policy

Class Participation (perfect attendance and class participation): 20% Take Home Midterm: 30% Final Exam: 50% Midterm Exam: One essay question (choose 1 of 2) exam covering material in readings and lectures through October 3. Final Exam: The exam will utilize all the material of the course, though more as possible resources with which to answer an interpretive question raised. The exam will consist of two essay (choose 2 of 3) questions, for which you will have the full class time to write.

Texts

Required Books: Robert H. Abzug, Inside the Vicious Heart Robert H. Abzug, America Views the Holocaust Richard L. Rubenstein, The Cunning of History Martin Gilbert, The Holocaust Edward T. Linenthal, Preserving Memory Philip Roth, The Ghostwriter Art Spiegelman, Maus II Edward Wallant, The Pawnbroker Some Supplementary Readings of Interest: Helen Flanzbaum, The Americanization of the Holocaust Deborah Lipstadt, Beyond Belief: The American Press and the Coming of the Holocaust Peter Novick, The Holocaust in American Life Jeffrey Shandler, While America Watches: Televising the Holocaust David Wyman, The Abandonment of the Jews James E. Young, At Memory’s Edge: After-Images of the Holocaust in Contemporary Art and Architecture

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