This course will trace the development of Yiddish civilization down to today from the first settlement of Jews in German lands, roughly a thousand years ago. At its peak, Yiddish was spoken over a larger European territory than any language except Russian. In fact, long before Yiddish culture came to be centered in Eastern Europe, many of the best works of Old Yiddish literature were written in Renaissance Italy. Because Jews were a highly mobile population in contact with many different peoples, Yiddish was everywhere influenced by neighboring languages and became the prototypical fusion language.

Prerequisite: at least one semester of Yiddish language instruction. This online course will examine key moments in the evolution of Yiddish civilization, from its ancient origins to its modern post-vernacular speech communities, while delving into significant themes, ideas, and events in Jewish history. We will trace the development of Yiddish culture and traditions, analyzing how changes in Jewish life have been reflected in Yiddish literature, folklore, press, visual art, music, and film. The material will be explored both chronologically and thematically, focusing on issues such as national identity, multiculturalism, violence, migration, and gender. Through engagement with primary texts in Yiddish, students will gain a critical understanding of Jewishness and Yiddishkeit, and the underlying assumptions that have shaped these concepts over the centuries. Mode of Instruction: Online

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.