Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present

Yad Vashem via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/antisemitism

Introduction

**Course Review: Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present** In the complex landscape of contemporary society, understanding the roots and manifestations of antisemitism is more crucial than ever. Coursera’s course, “Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present,” dives deep into this significant subject matter, offering learners a thorough and nuanced exploration of antisemitism through the lens of historical and modern scholarly discourse. **Course Overview** This course features contributions from 50 leading scholars from around the globe, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives and insights into a topic that spans centuries and cultures. By posing critical questions such as “What is antisemitism?”, “How has it evolved over time?”, and “What are its contemporary expressions?”, the course sets a comprehensive framework for understanding this pervasive phenomenon. **Syllabus Breakdown** 1. **What is Antisemitism? Definitions and Origins:** The course kicks off with an exploration of the nature of hate, where learners are introduced to the unique characteristics of antisemitism. Understanding the etymology of the term and its early historical roots, from the Greco-Roman era to the Middle Ages, lays a solid groundwork for the remaining weeks. 2. **The Changing Face of Antisemitism:** Moving into the Modern Era, this module focuses on the impact of major religious, social, and political movements on attitudes toward Jews. It highlights how these movements shaped public perceptions and contributed to the evolution of antisemitism over time. 3. **Genocidal Antisemitism: From World War I to the Holocaust:** This emotionally charged week examines the peak of antisemitism during the 20th century, culminating in the Holocaust. The discussion on modern antisemitic notions reveals how horrific ideologies can take root and manifest in society, raising awareness of the deadly consequences that can arise from unchecked hate. 4. **Contemporary Antisemitism:** Here, participants are taken into present-day expressions of antisemitism, particularly among the Far-right and Far-left. This module is vital for understanding current political and social dynamics where antisemitic sentiments can flourish, prompting critical reflections on how ideology can diverge into hate. 5. **The Islamic and Arab World:** Highlighting a sometimes-overlooked aspect of antisemitism, this week focuses specifically on the historical and modern contexts within the Arab and Islamic worlds. This balanced approach helps learners appreciate the complexity and diversity of antisemitic expressions across different cultures. 6. **Addressing Antisemitism:** The final week of this course encourages learners to think proactively about tackling antisemitism in today’s world, including issues related to online hate. The discussions on strategies to confront and counteract antisemitism in various arenas empower participants with knowledge and tools for advocacy. **Recommendations** I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in history, sociology, or human rights. It is particularly valuable for students, educators, activists, or anyone keen on understanding the intricacies of antisemitism in both historical and modern contexts. The array of experts involved ensures that the content is both authoritative and impactful. With a well-structured syllabus and engaging content, “Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present” is not just an academic endeavor but a necessary step toward fostering a more empathetic and informed global community. Whether you are looking to deepen your knowledge or provoke thoughtful conversations about hate and discrimination, this course offers invaluable insights into one of today’s pressing societal issues. Enroll and be equipped to not only understand antisemitism but also challenge it effectively in the world around you.

Syllabus

WHAT IS ANTISEMITISM? DEFINITIONS AND ORIGINS

This week we will begin our exploration of the phenomenon of antisemitism. We will discuss the nature of hate, the unique characteristics of antisemitism as well as the etymology of the term. We will then turn to the historical roots and early development of the phenomenon - from the Greco-Roman period up until the Middle Ages.

THE CHANGING FACE OF ANTISEMITISM

We will move on to the Modern Era, examining how attitudes towards the Jews were affected by the major religious, social, and political movements that were shaping Europe and the world during this time.

GENOCIDAL ANTISEMITISM: FROM WORLD WAR I TO THE HOLOCAUST

This week we will delve into the 20th century and see how modern antisemitic notions and perceptions continued to develop and to be expressed, reaching a murderous peak with the catastrophic event of the Holocaust

CONTEMPORARY ANTISEMITISM

This week we will turn to the contemporary world by first examining how antisemitism is expressed by two of the main realms in which it can be found today - the Far-right and the Far-left

THE ISLAMIC AND ARAB WORLD

This week we will continue with our exploration of antisemitism in the contemporary world, by focusing on the past and present of a realm which has not been discussed in the course so far - the Arab and Islamic world.

ADDRESSING ANTISEMITISM

During this last week of the course, we will try to better our understanding of contemporary antisemitism. We will also explore online hate, and examine the ways antisemitism is confronted and dealt with in various arenas today.

Overview

In this course, 50 leading scholars from all over the world will explore questions and issues relating to antisemitism including: what is antisemitism? How has it changed throughout history? Why can it be found among so many diverse cultures, and even among opposing ideologies? What happened to antisemitism after the Holocaust? How is antisemitism expressed today, and what are the main spheres in which it can be found?

Skills

Reviews

Thank you for instructing it. I really enjoyed it a lot.

A very good introduction to the issue of anti-semitism from biblical times to modernity. The course is well structured and well paced. I congratulate those who participated in the course.

Thoroughly enjoyable course that taught me so much and gave me a framework with which to examine anti-Semitism and hate speech in general. Great stuff!

This is an interesting course which explores important issues.