Why the Jews? Confronting Antisemitism

Special Topics: Why the Jews? Confronting Antisemitism
1-Credit Course, Begins Monday, October 14^th

Antisemitism has often been described as the “oldest hatred.” Yet the term “antisemitism” is a modern formulation, coined in Germany in the 1870s a badge of pride by German nationalists who feared Jews posed a danger to “true German culture.” Why should the so-called “anti-semites” define who or what Jews and Judaism are? Just as the broad range of Jewish experiences around the globe over thousands of years defies easy categorization, hatred of Jews has taken so many forms from antiquity to the present that it also resists simple categorization or definition. Why have the Jewish people been such convenient targets for any number of agendas and ideologies? What accounts for the persistence of numerous anti-Jewish tropes that run the gamut from “Christ-killer” to socialist, capitalist, parasite, and purveyor of global power? This course will first and foremost introduce students to the diverse nature of Jewish identity, before examining the many manifestations of Jewish hatred throughout history, and the ways in which Jews have attempted to respond to a hatred that refuses to disappear.

Course dates:

Undergraduate and Graduate Students: Monday, October 14^th through Friday, December 6^th

Registration

Students can enroll in Student Administration until September 9th using the special registration form. Students should consult the Office of Student Financial Aid Services prior to dropping if this class is used to meet full-time enrollment requirements. Students can enroll using this online form linked below.

Course: UNIV 3088
Section 003, Class #14052 (Undergrads only)
Section 004, Class #14054 (Graduate students only)

Instruction Mode: Online Asynchronous

For detailed course information, see the course syllabus.

Faculty and Staff Course Site Enrollments: Date TBD

Enroll Now

Course Objectives

By the completion of this course, you should be able to:

Recognize the diverse nature of Jewish identity and tradition from antiquity to the present.
Classify the many forms Jewish hatred has taken over time
Analyze how harmful stereotypes are deployed in the service of diverse agendas
Identify the role antisemitism has played in European History, American History, the history of the Holocaust, and in contemporary campaigns seeking to deligitimize the state of Israel
Recognize the different strategies Jews have employed throughout history in attempting to respond to hatred and antisemitism
Analyze how anti-Zionism has been represented in discussions of antisemitism
Explain the relationship between conspiracy theories, stereotypes, Holocaust denial, and antisemitism.

Course Modules

The course is comprised of seven (7) modules which include the following topics:

Module 0: Course Orientation
Module 1: Jews, Judaism, Anti-Judaism, and Antisemitism
Module 2: Anti-Judaism in Antiquity and Early Christianity
Module 3: Anti-Judaism in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period
Module 4: Antisemitism in the Modern Period and the Holocaust
Module 5: Antisemitism in America
Module 6: Israel, Anti-Zionism, and Antisemitism
Module 7: Wrapping Up: Confronting “Antisemitism” Old and New

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can take this course?

Any undergraduate or graduate UConn student can take the 1-credit UNIV-3088 course. Undergraduates with 12 or more credits on the 10th day of classes will not be charged additional for this course. Non-degree / non-matriculated or part-time students may take the course but will be charged accordingly by credit. Please consult your advisor prior to dropping if you are using this course to achieve full-time status for financial aid.

How did this course originate?

This course originated in response to a series of antisemitic incidents on the UConn campus in 2020/2021 and a petition circulated by students demanding educational resources to help confront antisemitism. The administration asked the Center for Judaic Studies to help plan this new online pop-up course, called "Why The Jews? Confronting Antisemitism." This course spotlights the wide range of expertise in Jewish history and culture of UConn faculty, while providing students with ways to confront the scourge of antisemitism and all forms of hate in our world today.

What is the time commitment for this class?

How will this course be graded?

Does this course have a cost?

What is the cost in the fall or spring semester?:

Pop-up courses offered during Fall and Spring semesters are coded 1-credit 1-cost. For matriculated students who are enrolled in 12 credits or more on the 10th day of the semester, a Pop-up course will be zero cost. Students who are enrolled in less than 12 credits on the 10th day and who enroll in one or more Pop-up courses will be billed for the credit costs of the course(s). There are no costs for materials.

What is the cost in summer or winter?:

UConn students enrolled in a degree program (matriculated) may take a Pop-up course offered during any Summer Session and earn 1 credit at no cost. Matriculated students enrolled in any summer Pop-up course will receive a charge on their Summer Session bill for the cost, but an automatic waiver will be applied to bring the final cost to $0. Additionally, there will be no enrollment fees for taking a Pop-up course nor any costs for books or materials.

Note: This course is not available to non-degree / non-matriculated students in the summer nor winter sessions.

How do I drop this course?

Without a W: Students can drop through March 10 using a form to avoid receiving a "W" on the academic record. Please note that if students are full-time based on this one credit course, they should consult with their advisor and Financial Aid to determine the best course of action regarding the withdrawal.

With a W: Requests made after March 10 must be made via the official withdrawal channels (Student Enrollment Request Form) and students must have advisor approval; all must be completed by April 8.