HIS 236 Jewish Experience in Central Europe

This course investigates the history and experiences of Central European Jewry. We will compare the cultural heritage, religious life, political situation, identity formation and self-understanding of Jews in Central Europe starting the in 9th century through today. We will spend considerable time in the following time periods: before, during and after the breakdown of Austria-Hungary, the Second World War and communism. This history course will examine the experiences of Jews throughout Central and Eastern Europe: from Germany in the West to Russia, Hungary and Ukraine in the East and everything in between. In this broad survey, we will pay specific attention to gender and class analysis in our approach to this material. In addition, together, we will explore the complicated history of anti-Semitism as it affected Jewish life in Central Europe as well as the numerous ways Jews flourished in Central Europe in spite of it.

*Please note: This course is predominantly taken by CEA students.