American Jewish Humor
RELI 278
Spring 2016
| Section:
01
02
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| Crosslisting:
CJST 278, AMST 292 |
| Certificates: Jewish and Israel Studies |
This course is a look at American Jewish history through one particular lens--that of the peculiar phenomenon of Jewish humor. There is a long history of Jews and humor which has nothing to do with the immigrant experience in America, but the immigrant experience in America nonetheless has a great deal to do with the humor that has been produced by Jews in this country, particularly in the 20th century. We will be reading some historical background on American Jews and some humor theory as our foundation for our understanding of film viewings, short stories, stand-up comedy performances and musical recordings. By looking at the way Jewish humor changed throughout the 20th century, we should in the end be able to chart the way the lives of American Jews were changing and have a deeper understanding of the American Jewish experience. |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS HIST |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (AMST) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Less than 50% |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Lawrence Epstein, THE HAUNTED SMILE
Woody Allen, THE INSANITY DEFENSE
Vincent Brook, SOMETHING AIN'T KOSHER HERE
Simcha Weinstein, SHTICK SHIFT
Neil Simon, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS
Selections from David Zurawick, THE JEWS OF PRIME TIME
Selections from Jonathan Sarna, AMERICAN JUDAISM
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Examinations and Assignments:
The course will consist of weekly reflection papers, 3 short 2-3 page papers, class discussion/blog, and a final 8-10 page research paper. Students will have the option to revise and resubmit their short papers. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills the "Thematic Approach" requirement for the Religion Department major. |
| Instructor(s): Caplan,Jennifer Ann Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM; Location: FISK413; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: -11 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 4 | FR: 3 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 4 | 1st Ranked: 2 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 1 | Unranked: 1 |
| SECTION 02 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Same as Section 01 Above |
| Examinations and Assignments: Same as Section 01 Above |
| Additional Requirements and/or Comments: Same as Section 01 Above |
| Instructor(s): Caplan,Jennifer Ann Times: ..T.R.. 01:10PM-02:30PM; Location: FISK414; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 19 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: -7 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 2 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 4 | FR: 3 |
| Web Resources: Syllabus |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 9 | 1st Ranked: 2 | 2nd Ranked: 3 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 4 |
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