The course is to provide students with a profound understanding of the history of antisemitism, its interpretations, and Jewish and non-Jewish responses to it. Centring on developments from the mid-19th century to the cold war the course combines the discussion of theoretical problems and historiographical debates with the analysis of specific historical case studies – mainly in Central and Eastern Europe. Students will use historical source material (in translation) to investigate the development and trajectories of antisemitism as well as the ways in which Jews and non-Jews interpreted these phenomena, how they aimed to understand antisemitism, and how they fought against it.
After the completion of the course students will
- have a good understanding of some of the main theories and definitions of antisemitism.
- be able to relate theories and definitions to specific historical cases.
- have gained experience in working with historical sources on antisemitism.
- understand the different setting and conditions which produced different forms of antisemitism, and which informed responses to it.
- have become familiar with the ways in which Jews interpreted and responded to antisemitism.
If you have any questions, please write to me: rybakj@ceu.edu
- Instructor: Jan Rybak