Fall 2009
Reel Horror: The Holocaust in Film
UGS 302 (Signature Lecture Course)
Instructor: Pascale Rachel Bos
Office: BUR 314
Phone: 232-6373
E-mail: pascale.r.bos@mail.utexas.edu
Time: TTH 12:30-2:00
Classroom: Main 220C
Office Hours: T 11:00-12:15 TH 2:00-3:300 or by appointment
Hollywood Holocaust Film as Cultural Memory
More than any other form of representation, film images leave their audience with the illusion of verisimilitude,
of being “real.” This makes film a particularly powerful medium in the (re)presentation of historical events, in
particular those that are hard to imagine because they deviate so radically from the norm. What was impossible
to picture is now made visible. As such, film as a mass medium can generate a sense of a shared cultural
memory among audiences who vary greatly in ethnic, cultural, or generational background, and who do not
have a personal memory of an event based on actual lived experience.
In this course, we examine the specific American cultural memory of the Holocaust as it was formed through
Hollywood productions on the Holocaust. In contrast to Europe where the events of the Holocaust took place
and were witnessed personally, knowledge and understanding of the events in the United States has been from
its earliest inception been mediated by cinematic images, be it of a documentary nature – newsreel footage of
the opening of the concentration camps in 1945 - or of a more fictionalized nature. By tracing how Hollywood
has shaped a uniquely American way of viewing the Holocaust and contrasting it with several significant
foreign films that have been of great importance, this course considers the complex interplay between these
forces of history, representation, and memory. We consider what cultural or political considerations,
sensibilities, and concerns led to the production of certain films, and not others, how certain genres and
cinematic techniques work and why they became popular, and why particular movies became blockbusters
while others did not. We also ask why the Holocaust has come to such prominence in U.S. culture over the past
thirty years, and whether it functions as a “screen memory” (or “Deckerinnerung”), that is: as a memory that
replaces (“covers up”) another memory that is deemed too unacceptable or contentious to bring out in the open.
What is the narrative that Hollywood has produced about the Holocaust?
The course thus concerns itself both with an examination of the medium of film (and to a lesser extent
television) and the ethical and aesthetic choices that come into play in producing film narratives about traumatic
history, and with the importance and the meaning of the Holocaust in American culture.
Course Requirements
Lectures
Depending on the content of the week’s assignments and student presentations (see below) most classes will
either start or end with a lecture and a brief in-class assignment which aids discussion. To prepare for the
assignment, you need to have read the assigned reading and bring it to class.
Film Viewings
As a film course, you are expected to see all assigned films. To facilitate introductory lectures and communal
discussion, all films will be shown either in part or in their entirety during class time, (usually, but not always
on Tuesdays). If you need to miss a class, you are expected to see the film on your own. A note on the graphic
nature of some of the images in these films: where possible, you will get a head’s up about which films or
which parts of films may contain such footage. You will not be forced to sit through such scenes: you may
request to skip a session, see a film only partially, or view a film on your own. Do contact the professor about
this option beforehand.
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Presentations
At the beginning of the semester, you sign up for a presentation on one of the week’s assigned readings. You
work on these presentations in pairs. Divide up the reading, read the texts carefully, and provide a question or a
topic to which the rest of the class can respond. Your presentation should be 10 minutes per person (20 total),
and will be followed by questions from the class and a discussion. It may be useful to discuss the presentation
beforehand with me (in office hours or by email). It is recommended that you create a hand out. The
presentation is graded. At the end of the semester, you will also give a 3-5 minute presentation on your final
paper in which you talk about your thesis and the progress you have made thus far.
Writing Assignments
There are three different writing assignments: response papers, film précis, and a final paper which is broken up
into several components. You will receive precise instructions for each assignment.
Response papers
Write two 1-page response papers. These response papers should be formally structured, and need to be about
250-300 words long. One is based on the University Lecture Series. Due dates: T Sept 29 and Th Oct 13.
Film Précis
Write two brief (2-3 pages) film précis, due on TH Sept 17 and T Oct 27. You will receive a writing prompt
with directions. (Write an intro with a simple thesis, a short summary of the film, and an analysis of the text
(your own), an end in a concrete conclusion). Use this paper to practice your formal writing skills for your final
paper.
Final Paper
A final research paper, discussing a choice of the readings and/or one or more of the issues raised during this
course, ranging 6-8 pages. You will receive elaborate hand outs on this assignment. We have an important
session scheduled with a university librarian on how to use the university library catalogue, on how to find
books, articles and other sources on October 27th. A one-page proposal is due T Nov 3rd. A short bibliography
is due Th Nov 12th. We have a working thesis workshop in class on TH the 12 th (bring a draft to work on!) and
final thesis is due on T Nov 17th. A one-page outline with thesis and opening paragraph, is due T Nov 24th
(send in electronically). The final paper is due on Dec 10th (during Final’s week).
Attendance
You are expected to attend all sessions, do the reading, and participate in discussions, many of which will be
based on the readings. Because much of the class consists of small group work, attendance is mandatory, is
reflected in your grade, and if you need to miss a class, I need to be notified. (E-mail will do just fine).
Unexcused tardiness is counted as a ½ absence.
University Lecture Series
Signature Course students are required to attend at least one of the two large lectures (or watch them online).
Fitting with the subject matter of this class is the September 22 nd lecture, see below on the schedule. For a
schedule of all the lectures, go to: http://www.utexas.edu/ugs/uls. There is an assignment associated with the
lecture, see above (1 page response paper).
Texts
You are required to purchase Judith Doneson The Holocaust in American Life (2nd edition) Syracuse UP
(2002), available new and second hand from Amazon. In addition, you need to get the course packet, available
from Speedway Copies in the Dobie mall (PH: 478-3334).
Films
We will watch the following films in class. If for some reason you are unable to attend that particular class
session, you will need to view the films on your own time: Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust,
Death Mills, Nuit et Brouillard, The Diary of Anne Frank, Judgment at Nuremberg, The Pawnbroker,
Holocaust, Sophie’s Choice, Shoah, Schindler’s List.
Disabilities
The University of Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students
with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY.
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Writing Center
The Undergraduate Writing Center offers free, individualized, expert help with writing for any UT
undergraduate, by appointment or on a drop-in basis. Their services are not just for writing with “problems.”
Getting feedback from an informed audience is a normal part of a successful writing project. FAC 211,
471-6222. http://uwc.fac.utexas.edu/.
A note on scholastic dishonesty
While doing research on the internet, it is tempting to copy and paste when you find a text that suits your need.
However, this constitutes plagiarism, a form of scholastic dishonesty that UT takes very seriously. See:
http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis_plagiarism.php Make sure you quote properly, or paraphrase
(while disclosing your original source). Plagiarism tutorial:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/services/instruction/learningmodules/plagiarism/
Use of cell phones and computers
Cell phones must be put away during class, and computers may be used only for note-taking. Students who use
gadgets for non-class related activities will be marked absent and asked to leave for the remainder of that class.
Grading
Attendance/participation
15%
Response papers (2)
20%
Class presentation
10%
Film Precis (2)
20%
Final research paper
35%
(proposal, bibliography, outline + 1st ¶, 5% each, paper: 15%)
I grade on an absolute scale, not a curve: 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, < 59 F. I grade +/Grading criteria
An A student:
Always comes to class, on time, and has their materials with them
Has done the reading and is prepared to have an informed discussion about it in class
Works well with other students in small groups
Asks questions when s/he does not understand something
Volunteers to answer open questions in class
Has prepared (writing) assignments on time
Has followed the directions of the writing assignments carefully and has prepared accordingly
Adds significant new information to the class presentation
Spends just as much time on the form of the writing (revise, revise!) as on the content
Displays significant original and critical thought in the content of their writing
Visits office hours a few times during the semester
A B student:
Is almost always on time, almost always present, and has their materials with them
Is mostly prepared for class
Works well with other students in small groups
Does their best in working with other students in small groups
Sometimes volunteers to answer open questions in class
Has prepared almost all (writing) assignments on time
Follows most directions of the writing assignments and tests and prepares accordingly
Adds some new information to the class presentation
Spends nearly as much time on the form of the writing (revise, revise!) as on the content
Displays some original and critical thought in the content of their writing
Visits office hours at least once during the semester
A C student:
Is generally on time, misses no more than five classes, and usually has their materials with them
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Is usually or sometimes prepared for class
Works okay with other students in small groups
Sometimes spends their time chatting with students instead of doing group work
Rarely volunteers to answer open questions in class
Has prepared some (writing) assignments on time
Minimally follows directions of the writing assignments and tests and prepares briefly
Just summarizes the assigned text for the class presentation
Uses little library resources, or uses them improperly
Spends little time on writing form and reproduces basic content from research
Calendar-Syllabus
Readings are listed on the day they will be discussed so read them before you come to your next class.
Always bring assigned texts to class on days we discuss it. If a film is listed, it means we will watch it in
class. R denotes that a text can be found in the class reader. Doneson refers to The Holocaust in American
Film, the text you are required to buy for this course.
Note on graphic content: while it is not the intent of the course to in any way make you uncomfortable, you
will likely be exposed to some graphic material. The syllabus below contains a note when the material we will
watch is GRAPHIC. You have the option of skipping a particular viewing, leaving during a viewing if the
material is too upsetting, or to view the material on your own (which means you can fast forward etc.)
Contact me about any of these options.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 1
Th 27 Aug
Introduction
Introduction to the course structure of class, syllabus, survey and bios
Assignment: write survey and bio and think of which presentation you would like to do.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Week 2
T 1 Sept
Brief Introduction to the History of WW II and the Holocaust
Bio due! Survey due! Sign up for presentations!
We will review the survey that you got to complete over the weekend and discuss the
following questions: What do we (think) we already know about the Holocaust, and how
did we acquire this knowledge? How great of a role did film and television images play in
shaping our understanding of the Holocaust? Which films or television programs stand
out? How much of what we thought turns out to be correct or incorrect?
We discuss: “Chronology of the Holocaust and WW II“ #1 in R and “Maps” #2 in R
Th 3
Hollywood and German Nazism until 1941
Watch part I of Daniel Anker Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust (2004)
in class, lecture, and discussion:
Who ran the early Hollywood film industry, and what were their concerns? Why was the
U.S. so intent on not criticizing the new Nazi regime? What did the U.S. know of the
violence that the regime committed and what explains their response (or lack of)?
OPTIONAL: read Doneson CH 1 “Reflections of…”
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Week 3
T8
Film as Evidence: The Holocaust in Movie Newsreels
Watch parts of Nazi Death Mills (1945) NOTE: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
We discuss why these images were shot, how they were used and why (in the U.S. and in
occupied Germany), and what their impact was on American and German audiences. Did
the material succeed in serving as evidence of Nazi brutality?
We discuss the reading: Kay Gladstone “Separate Intentions…” #3 in R
Th 10
A “Conspiracy of Silence”? Hollywood’s silence in the 1950s
Watch part of Imaginary Witness
Watch part of George Stevens The Diary of Anne Frank (1959)
We discuss what political and cultural factors led to a silencing of the Holocaust in the
immediate postwar years How did (Jewish) fears of antisemitism, Cold War rehabilitation
of West Germany and fear of Communism play a role?
We discuss: Doneson CH 2 “The Diary of Anne Frank in the Context of…”
Presentation:
and
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 4
T 15
Realism and Holocaust Documentary: Night and Fog (1955)
Watch Alain Resnais Nuit en Brouillard (1955), NOTE: SOME GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
Think about the use of images, sound, music, narration in this film: how do they
complement each other? What seems to be the film’s overall message? How does this film
seem to differ from the newsreel footage shown in 1945, and the early postwar Hollywood
treatment of the Holocaust? (Among others The Diary of Anne Frank of 1957). Is the
Holocaust understood as an event specifically affecting European Jews?
Discuss the reading: Text of Night and Fog (translated) #4 in R
Elizabeth Cowie “Seeing and Hearing for ourselves...” #5 in R
Jean-Marc Dreyfuss “Censorship and Approval: the Reception of…” #6 in R
Presentation:
Th 17
and
Film Precis # 1 due!
Judgment at Nuremberg: Re-introducing the Holocaust a Generation Later
Watch (parts of) Stanley Kramer Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
Assignment: work on questions for response paper #1
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 5
T 22
Discussion session Judgment at Nuremberg
Response Paper 1 due!
The first major Hollywood production to present the Nazi crimes to a broad audience, it
uses documentary footage of the liberation of the concentration camps. We discuss the
major themes of the movie and its particular importance in U.S. culture.
We discuss: Doneson CH 3 “Chaos and Social Upheaval…” (87-112 only)
Alan Mintz “The Holocaust at the Movies: Three Studies in Reception” (part 1) #7 in R
Presentation:
and
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7 PM Bass Concert Hall University Lecture series
“How to Know a Tyrant When You See One: Models of Tyranny and Leadership from
Classical Drama” Dean Paul Woodruff, School of Undergraduate Studies. REQUIRED
attendance or viewing, the lecture can be viewed online within 72 hours after the event.
Assignment: Write a brief (1 page) response paper discussing the lecture’s main content,
relevance to the course’s topic, and what you thought about it. Due on Tuesday the 29th.
Th 24
Holocaust Memory: Exploring the Event’s After-Effects
The Impact of the televising of the Eichmann Trial in the U.S. in 1961:
Survivors take the stand
We discuss: Tim Coleman “Adolf Eichmann” #8 in R
Jeffrey Shandler “The Man in the Glass Box: Watching …” #9 in R
Presentation:
and
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 6
T 29
The Memory of the Holocaust and American Politics of the 1960s
1 page response paper in “How to Know a Tyrant” due!
Watch (parts) of Sidney Lumet The Pawn Broker (1965)
Th 1 Oct
How does the film discuss the intolerance of the Nazis in the context of U.S. racial tensions
of the period? Does it make sense to (re)view the Holocaust through this lens?
Alan Mintz “The Holocaust at the Movies: Three Studies in Reception” (part 2) #10 in R
Presentation:
and
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 7
T6
The Holocaust is Televised
The Television series The Holocaust Watch excerpts in class
Start reading Doneson CH 4 “Television and the Effects of Holocaust”
Th 8
Discussion of The Holocaust miniseries
How does the medium of television differ from that of film? What adjustments had to be
made to the story for it to work as a miniseries? What do we make of the extremely
divergent responses to the film in the U.S., and again in West Germany? What ethical and
aesthetic arguments were leveled against the film? Do those still hold up, thirty years later?
We discuss:
Marianne Singerman “Holocaust reviewed” #11 in R
Anton Kaes “1979: The American television series ‘Holocaust’… ” #12 in R
Doneson CH 4 “Television and the Effects of Holocaust”
Presentation:
and
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 8
T13
Is Any Representation Better than No Representation?
Response Paper 2 due!
Watch Alan J. Pakula Sophie’s Choice (1982)
Th 15
The ethics of Holocaust representation
Discussion of Sophie’s Choice: what does it mean to tell the story of the Holocaust through
a non-Jewish protagonist? Does it displace the memory of the Holocaust? Is memory
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always premised on rivalry? Is it acceptable to have a sexual/romantic sub-plot in a
Holocaust movie? What do we make of the American framing of the story?
Ilan Avisar “The Hollywood Film and …” (excerpt ) #13 in R
Presentation:
and
____________________________________________________________________________________
Week 9
T 20
The Witnesses Speak
Watch excerpts of Claude Lanzmann Shoah (1985)
Th 22
Discussion of Shoah
What were some of the unusual choices Lanzmann made for this film? How does the
absence of documentary footage function? How does the (lack) of explicit structure in the
film work, and its length? What do we make of Lanzmann’s interviewing style? What issues
of staging and representation does this film bring up?
Joshua Hirsch “Shoah and the posttraumatic…” #14 in R
Presentation:
and
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 10
T 27
Library/Research Session
Film Precis # 2 due!
Meet at the entrance of PCL today is a library information session (attendance required)
Assignment: formulate possible topic(s) for final paper in 1-page proposal.
Hollywood’s Answer: the Holocaust Blockbuster
Watch Steven Spielberg Schindler’s List (1993)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Th 29
Week 11
T 3 Nov
Discussion of Schindler’s List
1-page proposal for final paper due!
Spielberg’s intent to make the “definitive” movie about the Holocaust, the dispute between
Spielberg and Lanzmann, ethical choices (what should/should not be represented),
aesthetic choices (use of b/w instead of color, musical score) and narrative choices (why
the focus on the “good” German, the happy ending, the actual survivors and their
descendants appearing at the end of the film?)
Alan Mintz “The Holocaust at the Movies: Three Studies in Reception” (part 3) #15 in R
Miriam Bratu Hansen Schindler’s List is not Shoah…” # 16 in R
Mary Ellen Mark “Using Light and dark as Paint” #17 in R
Doneson Ch 5 Whose History Is It?”
Presentation:
Th 5
and
The Americanization of the Holocaust
Ilan Avisar “Holocaust Movies and the Politics of Collective Memory” #18 in R
Alan Mintz “From Silence to Salience” # 19 in R
Assignment: create bibliography for final paper.
______________________________________________________________________________________
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Week 12
T 10
Divergent Representations I: Comedy
Watch excerpts of
Mel Brooks The Producers (1968, excerpts)
Roberto Begnigni Life is Beautiful (1998, excerpts)
Peter Kassovits Jacob the Liar (1999, excerpts)
Discuss the reading Lawrence Baron “Serious Humor: Laughter as Lamentation” # 20 in R
Th 12
Hand in bibliography for final paper!
Working thesis workshop in class. Bring your ROUGH draft of a working thesis
Assignment: prepare working thesis
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 13
T 17
Divergent Representations II: The Holocaust beyond Heroes and Victims
Working thesis due!
Watch Tim Blake Nelson The Grey Zone (2001)
Th 19
The Grey Zone is a very different movie from earlier Holocaust movies, and one can argue
that it could only be made after other aspects of the Holocaust had already been
highlighted. Dealing with the exceptional Sonderkommando – concentration camp inmates
who had been selected to do all the work leading up to, and following extermination in the
gas chambers – it focuses on the moral dilemmas camp inmates faced, and the cost of
survival. Lauded by some, considered deeply controversial by others, the film will lead us
to discussion about what can and should (not) be represented in Holocaust film.
Discuss the reading: Lawrence Baron “Projecting the Holocaust into...” # 21 in R
Presentation:
and
Assignment: read texts for week 14, + write first ¶ with thesis and outline for final paper.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 14
T 24
Research Week
One-page outline with thesis and opening paragraph is due! (send in electronically)
No class, read and write on your final research project
Th 26
NO CLASS Thanksgiving
Assignment: work on your final paper, prepare BRIEF presentation.
______________________________________________________________________________________
Week 15
T 1 Dec
Final Class Discussion: Film as Memory
Doneson “Conclusion”
Dora Apel “The Aftermath of the Holocaust” #22 in R
Rosenfeld “The Americanization of the Holocaust” # 23 in R
Th 3
Final presentations
Presentations (2-3 minutes) of research findings/final paper in class.
Continue work on final paper or hand in your final paper today!
____________________________________________________________________________________
Finals' week
Final paper due DEC 10th electronic copies need to be in by email by 5 PM
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IMPORTANT DATES:
Last day to drop without penalty
Last day to drop with a given grade
Week 2
T 1 Sept
Bio due! Survey due! Sign up for presentations
Week 3
F 11 Sept
Twelfth class day, last day to drop a class for a possible refund
Week 4
Th 17 Sept
Film Precis # 1 due
Week 5
T 22 Sept
7 PM Bass Concert Hall University Lecture series
“How to Know a Tyrant When You See One: Models of Tyranny and Leadership from
Classical Drama” REQUIRED
W 23 Sept
Last day to drop a class without a possible academic penalty
Week 6
T 29 Sept
1 page response paper in “How to Know a Tyrant” due
Week 8
T13 Oct
Response Paper 2 due
Week 9
W Oct 21
Last day an undergraduate student may, with the dean’s approval, withdraw from the
University or drop a class except for urgent and substantiated, nonacademic reasons
Last day a student may change registration to or from the pass/fail or credit/no credit basis
Week 10
T 27 Oct
Meet at the entrance of PCL today is a library information session
T 27 Oct
Film Precis # 2 due
Week 11
T 3 Nov
1-page proposal for final paper due
Week 12
Th 12 Nov
Hand in bibliography for final paper
Week 13
T 17 Nov
Working thesis due
Week 14
T 24 Nov
One-page outline with thesis and opening paragraph is due (send in electronically)
Week 15
Th 3 Dec
Presentations (2-3 minutes) of research findings/final paper in class.
Finals' week
Th 10
Final paper due, electronic copies may reach me by email UNTIL 5 PM.