These courses are funded by the
National Holocaust Endowment Fund

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The Holocaust through Film

RELI 3500-004

Dr. Guy Matalon

Asst. Professor of Judaic Studies

Religious Studies Program

Department of Philosophy and Religion

College of Arts and Science

University of Nebraska at Omaha

“To use special effects and gimmicks to describe the indescribable is to me morally objectionable…. The last moments of the forgotten victims belong to themselves.” Elie Wiesel.

- Niewyk, The Holocaust 4^rd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2003.       

- Lawrence Baron.  Projecting the Holocaust into the Present. Roman & Littlefield, 2005.                     

Instructor:                              Dr. Guy Matalon                      Office Hours:

554-2139                                                      Tues. 5-6 pm. 

ASH 205K                              Thurs. 1-2:30                         

gmatalon@mail.unomaha.edu         By appt.

Course Description :             

In January 1942, a group of people came together to discuss a perceived problem.  The “final solution” at which they arrived was a well-planned and systematic mass murder.  The “Final Solution” was a culmination of a process that began much earlier with the rise of Adolph Hitler to power in Germany.  The course is a study of representations of the Holocaust in film.  Since films are a dominant form of story telling in modern times, we will explore how the Holocaust is portrayed in various genres of films such as documentary, farce, feature etc. 

Course Requirement:                                   

1.      Active participation in class discussion

2.      Reading all assigned readings prior to class meetings and being prepared for discussions

3.      Writing assignments – short analysis papers based on specific films and readings

Grade Determination:                      

                        Four short writing assignments   25% each.

Writing Assignments:

Each writing assignment will focus on a particular film or a topic or theme that appears in particular movies discussed in the reading or lecture.  The paper should consist of an analysis of the major issues that the film raises.  It should not summarize the film; you should assume that the reader has seen the film previously.  The paper should critically evaluate the movie in light of the assigned readings and class discussion.  Outside research is expected.  Two sources for each paper is plenty.  The textbook is considered a source.      

Attendance:

Attendance is mandatory.  There are no excused absences whatsoever.  Students are entitled to miss two class periods.  The third absence affects the overall grade in the class. Since the class only meets once a week, attendance is very important.

Extra Credit:

Extra credit can be earned by turning in a film review of an approved film that is not included in the course nor discussed in class.  Each film review can receive up to 5 percentage points toward the final grade.  A maximum of two film reviews can be completed by each student.

Sample of Approved films:  (This is not an exhaustive list)

Uprising

Partisans of  Vilna

The trial of Adolph Eichmann

Holocaust on trial

Jacob the Liar

The visas that saved lives

Lecture and Reading Schedule:

Week 1

Readings: Baron, Chapter 1.

Tuesday, August 22:  Film and the Holocaust

Week 2

Reading: Baron, Chapter 1.

Tuesday, August 29: The Eternal Jew, The Triumph of Will

Week 3

Readings: Baron, Chapter 2.

Tuesday, September 5: Europa Europa

Week 4

Readings:  Baron, Chapter 2.

Tuesday, September 12: The Pianist

Week 5

Readings:Baron, Chapter 3.

Tuesday, September 19: Farce Films: Train of Life, Life is Beautiful

Week 6

Readings: Baron, Chapter 3.

Tuesday, September 26: Shoah