Karen R King

This class focuses on over a century of Yiddish-based contributions to American culture. Starting from the premise that Yiddish speakers who came to the Promised Land of America brought with them a nuanced ability to deal with hostile environments, this class will look at a variety of readings and movies which manifest the qualities of poignancy, ambition, irony, heart, resiliency, and, of course, humor.

Writers include Isaac Bashevis Singer, Woody Allen, and Michael Chabon; musical content comprises folk and popular standards, as well as contemporary klezmer bands; and movies will run the gamut from Tevye to the Marx Brothers to Blazing Saddles.

Grading:

• 1/3 on class participation
• 1/3 on two 4-page writing assignments
• 1/3 on one 8-page research paper

Texts:

• Henry Roth, Call It Sleep
• Michael Chabon, The Yiddish Policeman’s Union
• Course packet

This class focuses on over a century of Yiddish-based contributions to American culture. Starting from the premise that Yiddish speakers who came to the Promised Land of America brought with them a subtle ability to deal with hostile environments, this class will look at a variety of readings and movies which manifest poignancy, ambition, irony, heart, resiliency, and, of course, humor. Writers we study include Isaac Bashevis Singer, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Henry Roth, Woody Allen, and Michael Chabon ; movies will run the gamut from Tevye to The Producers and Enemies: A Love Story.

Is this a class about tragedy or triumph or both? What is the story of assimilation: what are its costs as well as its advantages? How do American Jews depict their own story?

Grading will be based on two papers, two tests, and class participation.

This class focuses on over a century of Yiddish-based contributions to American culture. Starting from the premise that Yiddish speakers who came to the Promised Land of America brought with them a subtle ability to deal with hostile environments, this class will look at a variety of readings and movies which manifest poignancy, ambition, irony, heart, resiliency, and, of course, humor. Writers we study include Isaac Bashevis Singer, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Henry Roth, Woody Allen, and Michael Chabon ; movies will run the gamut from Tevye to The Producers and Enemies: A Love Story.

Is this a class about tragedy or triumph or both? What is the story of assimilation: what are its costs as well as its advantages? How do American Jews depict their own story?

Required BooksEnemies: A Love Story by Isaac Bashevis SingerCall It Sleep by Henry RothThe Shawl by Cynthia OzickThe Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael ChabonOne course packet

Required Movies

Tevye, American Matchmaker, To Be or Not To Be, Uncle Moses, Blazing Saddles, Fiddler on the Roof,Duck Soup, Goodbye Columbus, Annie Hall, Schindler’s List, A Serious Man

Assigned Work

2 short papers-4 pages 40%

2 Tests 40%

Class Participation 20%

Course Description

This class focuses on over a century of Yiddish-based contributions to American culture. Starting from the premise that Yiddish speakers who came to the Promised Land of America brought with them a nuanced ability to deal with hostile environments, this class will look at a variety of readings and movies which manifest the qualities of poignancy, ambition, irony, heart, resiliency, and, of course, humor. Writers include Isaac Bashevis Singer, Woody Allen, and Michael Chabon; musical content comprises folk, popular standards, as well as contemporary klezmer bands; and movies will run the gamut from Tevye, to the Marx Brothers, to Blazing Saddles.

Grading Policy

1/3 on class participation 1/3 on two 4-page writing assignments 1/3 on one 8-page research paper.

Texts

Possible Texts: Henry Roth, Call It Sleep; Michael Chabon, The Yiddish Policeman's Union; a class course packet.