Course Syllabus
FIL3838: Holocaust Cinema; Section RVAA
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
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Course Time Zone | Eastern Standard Time (EST). Course due dates are according to this time zone.
Course Description and Purpose
Perhaps no historical event has been represented cinematically with more frequency and variety than the Holocaust. Film provides a particular window through which we may examine what we know and think about the Holocaust and how we have come to know and think those things. By viewing and discussing films, we will analyze major trends and techniques in the representation of the Holocaust from the 1940s until the present, including documentaries and feature films, Hollywood-style and independent productions, from the United States, Israel, and Europe. In the course of these examinations we will have the opportunity to reflect on ethical and representational challenges and problems unique to this medium and its subject, such as the existence of Holocaust comedy, the “limits” on the representation of violence and atrocity, and religious and/or transcendent meaning.
Course Objectives
- Introduce Holocaust cinema to a non-specialist audience.
- Identify the major representational techniques and narrative components of Holocaust films.
- Develop critical thinking and written communication skills through course readings, blog and essay reflections on selected films, and a final essay.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will recognize the major advantages and disadvantages of cinematic representation.
- Students will appraise ethical choices arising from filmmakers’ and characters’ actions.
- Students will categorize different cinematic genres and styles and compare films within those genres and styles.
Statement Regarding Academic Freedom
Academic freedom and responsibility are essential to the integrity of the University. The principles of academic freedom are integral to the conception of the University as a community of scholars engaged in the pursuit of truth and the communication of knowledge in an atmosphere of tolerance and freedom. The University serves the common good through teaching, research, scholarship/creative activities, and service. The fulfillment of these functions rests upon the preservation of the intellectual freedoms of teaching, expression, research, and debate. We affirm that academic freedom is a protected right in addition to a faculty member’s constitutionally protected freedom of expression and is fundamental to the faculty member’s responsibility to seek and to state truth as he/she sees it. Students are encouraged to employ critical thinking and to rely on data and verifiable sources to interrogate all assigned readings and subject matter in this course as a way of determining whether they agree with their classmates and/or their instructor. No lesson is intended to espouse, promote, advance, inculcate, or compel a particular feeling, perception, viewpoint or belief.
Policies
Before starting this course, please review the following pages:
- Policies
- Netiquette
- Technical Requirements and Skills
- Accessibility and Accommodation
- Panthers Care & Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
- Academic Misconduct Statement
Course Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Textbook and Course Materials
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Indelible Shadows: Film and the Holocaust
Cambridge University Press, 3rd Edition, 2002
ISBN-10: 0521016304
ISBN-13: 978-0521016308
You may purchase your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.
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Shoah: The Complete Text Of The Acclaimed Holocaust Film
Da Capo Press, 1st Edition, 1995
ISBN-10: 0306806657
ISBN-13: 978-0306806650
You may purchase your textbook online at the FIU Bookstore.
This textbook is also available as a PDF for free electronic "loan" at archive.org (site requires free registration; search for Shoah complete text PDF without quotation marks).
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Hollywood and the Holocaust (Film and History)Henry Gonshak This textbook is also available as an e-book from the FIU Libraries (must sign-in if accessing from off-campus).
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Films utilized in this course
All films listed below are required viewing in their entirety, except for one case: in Module Two, you are not required to view the entire film Shoah but may watch only one 2-2.5 hour part of it to fulfill the course requirements (the film is divided into four formal parts, as you will see). All of the films are available on DVD for purchase from Amazon and other outlets (ASINs are included to aid in this), and all are currently available in streaming video format, some from the FIU Libraries and the rest from external providers. Films that are available for free streaming are noted by the provider; low-cost streaming options are also noted with approximate prices and may be available at unlisted providers as well. Most of the films are available online via multiple platforms, including Hulu, Google Play, YouTube, Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon, in most cases for only a nominal rental charge; a trial or paid Amazon Prime or Netflix membership will allow you to watch several of those films for no additional fee. Students are advised to immediately plan how they are going to access each required film so there is no delay in completing the assignments.
NOTE: streaming film availability may change abruptly, so do not wait until the last minute to view or otherwise secure access to required films.
- Jud Süss [The Jew Süss] (Germany, 1940; 98 mins.), ASIN: B0017ZGYR0: this title is available in streaming format directly via FIUOnline.
- A Film Unfinished (Israel, 2010; 88 mins.), ASIN: B004EI2NWM: available via FIU Libraries
- Death Mills (USA, 1945; 22 mins.), ASIN: B004EI2NWM (on disc with A Film Unfinished): available via FIU Libraries
- Nuit et Brouillard [Night and Fog] (France, 1955; 32 mins), ASIN: B000093NQZ: available via FIU Libraries or for rent or purchase on iTunes or Amazon Prime (Links to an external site.)$2.99+
- Shoah (France, 1985; 566 mins.), ASIN: B00BX49B6G: available via FIU Libraries in two parts—two separate links: First Era and Second Era
- The Diary of Anne Frank (US, 1959; 180 mins.); ASIN: B001XJBE1Q: available for rent or purchase via Amazon Prime or YouTube $3.99+
- Judgment at Nuremberg (US, 1961; 186 mins), ASIN: B00KCY3XDK: available via FIU Libraries
- Schindler's List (USA, 1993; 196 mins) available via FIU Libraries
- The Pianist (UK/France/Poland/Germany, 2002; 150 mins) available via YouTube $3.99
- La vita è bella [Life is Beautiful] (Italy, 1997; 116 mins.), ASIN: B0033AI48Y: YouTube $3.99+ or Amazon Prime
- The Grey Zone (US, 2001; 108 mins.), ASIN: B000087EYX: available for streaming via Tubi and IMDbTV or for rent via Vudu $3.99+
- Defiance (US, 2008; 137 mins.), ASIN: B00AEFXRMO: available for rent via YouTube, Amazon Prime and others $2.99+
- Inglourious Basterds (US, 2009; 153 mins.), ASIN: B0054OGQS2: available via FIU Libraries and several streaming services
- Pokłosie [Aftermath] (Poland, 2012; 107 mins.); ASIN: B00MI72SA8: available for rent or purchase via Vudu (Links to an external site.), Amazon Prime (Links to an external site.)and others $2.99+
- Ida (Poland, 2014; 80 mins.), ASIN: B00L0DKRCM: available via FIU Libraries and streaming services
Tips:
- If you decide to sign up for a free trial, time it to coincide with the availability of the assignment to ensure you will have access to the film during the trial.
- Amazon Prime Student offers a 6-Month free trial using the link provided.
Expectations of this Course
This is an online course, which means most (if not all) of the course work will be conducted online. Expectations for performance in an online course are the same for a traditional course. In fact, online courses require a degree of self-motivation, self-discipline, and technology skills which can make these courses more demanding for some students.
Students are expected to:
- Review the how to get started information located in the course content
- Introduce yourself to the class during the first week by posting a self-introductory video in the appropriate Discussion
- Interact online with instructor and peers
- Review and follow the course calendar
- Log in to the course at least 3 times per week
- Respond to inbox messages within 2 days
- Submit assignments by the required deadlines
The instructor will:
- Log in to the course at least 3 times per week
- Respond to inbox messages within 2 days
- Grade assignments within 7 days of the assignment deadline (not counting Sabbaths and Jewish holidays)
Course Communication
Communication in this course will take place via the Canvas Inbox. Check out the Canvas Conversations Tutorial or Canvas Guide to learn how to communicate with your instructor and peers using Announcements, Discussions, and the Inbox.
Discussion Forums
Keep in mind that your discussion forum postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.
Introduce Yourself Video Discussion
At the start of the course, students are required to submit a self-recorded video post to the "Introduce Yourself FIL3838" Discussion assignment. You may create the video using any application you wish, but the posted video must include captions for accessibility purposes, which can be automatically inserted using several apps. When you are done recording and captioning you will embed your video in the assignment submission box. See the assignment for more details.
Course Discussions
There are a total of five required written Discussion posts totaling 45% of the course grade; these posts are written responses to assignment prompts that will be graded according to this rubric. Keep in mind that your discussion postings will likely be seen by other members of the course. Care should be taken when determining what to post.
For each Course Discussion assignment, students must write thoughtful and well-reasoned posts of at least 350 words each (typically, posts of 500 words or more receive higher rubric scores), responding to the assignment prompts and supported with well-chosen and relevant embedded images and other materials. Each post will require reflection on and analysis of the films covered in each weekly unit; think of it as a mini-essay, with illustrations and captions, that displays your knowledge of and critical thinking about the course material in question. Your posts and any supporting material must all be visible and legible within the Discussion box provided. Click here for a more detailed guide to the written Discussion posts with tips for success.
Assignments
Film Review Bibliography Exercise
Identifying and properly citing film reviews is an important and relevant skill for this course. This assignment, due in Module 2, will require students to compile a short list of relevant film reviews in proper MLA style. Details are provided in the assignment submission page.
Shoah Essay
This assignment, due in Module 2, will involve reflection on a minimum required portion of the 9 ½ hour film, utilizing the published text of the film, in light of an essay prompt. Details are provided in the assignment submission page.
Comparative Analytical Essay
This assignment requires instructor pre-approval of student selections as submitted on the Comparative Analytical Essay Film Selections assignment. Each student will select one of the six topics of the course as identified in the course calendar and will then identify and propose two outside films not already included in the list of required films for the class (see above for the complete list of required films that are ineligible for this assignment); these two proposed films should reflect the chosen theme in some way. Once students receive instructor approval of their topic and film selections, students will write comparative analytical essays following a detailed essay prompt. Details are provided in the relevant assignment submission pages.
Reflective Essay
Towards the end of the course, each student will submit a reflective essay, responding to the final two required films, both from Poland and paired under the theme of “coming to terms with the past,” using the films as springboards to discuss the contemporary relevance of the Holocaust and the particular contributions the issues raised by these two films make to that issue of relevance. Detailed instructions will be provided in the assignment submission page.
All essay assignments will be graded based on the Essay Rubric.
Late Policy
Online courses require a great deal of personal discipline and time management. It is easy to fall behind in the work for an online course. To assist you, all assignments, including discussion posts, are always due by 11:59pm on Fridays, unless otherwise noted.
In addition, as a courtesy, assignment in-boxes will stay open for 24 hours, one day past the due date, until 11:59pm Saturday nights, for late submissions with no late penalty. This grace period will not be extended.
Students who are unable to submit assignments by the conclusion of the grace period, for any reason, must contact the instructor prior to the deadline with an explanation. I recommend you set calendar reminders for yourself right now on your phone for all the Friday deadlines in the course, with alerts one and two days prior.
Finally, students often ask about extra credit: there is only one extra credit option in this course, and it takes the form of the Extra Credit Discussion: this discussion will be released and made accessible during the final course module. The Extra Credit Discussion will be worth 0-5 points added to your final grade average in the course (i.e., offsetting up to 5% of your calculated grade average).
Grading
| Course Requirements | Number of Items | Weight |
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| Introduce Yourself Discussion | 1 | 5% |
| "Nazi Propaganda" Discussion | 1 | 5% |
| Film Review Bibliography Exercise | 1 | 5% |
| "And the Winner Is..." Discussion | 1 | 10% |
| "Hollywood & the Holocaust" Discussion | 1 | 10% |
| "The Limits of Representation" Discussion | 1 | 10% |
| "The Turn Towards Revenge" Discussion | 1 | 10% |
| Shoah Essay | 1 | 10% |
| Film Selections for Comparative Analytical Essay | 1 | 5% |
| Comparative Analytical Essay | 1 | 20% |
| Reflective Essay | 1 | 10% |
| Total | 12 | 100% |
| Letter | Range (%) | Letter | Range (%) | Letter | Range (%) |
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| A | Above 93 | B | 83 - 87 | C | 70 - 76 |
| A- | 90 - 92 | B- | 80 - 82 | D | 60 - 69 |
| B+ | 88 - 89 | C+ | 77 - 79 | F | Below 60 |
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Access your Course Calendar for course topics and assignments. |
Course Summary:
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