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Dafna Dolinko, Yossi Kugler, Dmitry Kolotilenko, Dr Na'ama Bela Shik, and Sandra Rosenfeld

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course, designed by Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, is for anyone with an interest in history, in social dynamics and human nature, and in the phenomenon of antisemitism. You can use the hashtag #FLantisemitism to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course, designed by Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, is for anyone with an interest in history, in social dynamics and human nature, and in the phenomenon of antisemitism. You can use the hashtag #FLantisemitism to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • The nature of hate
  • The perception of the “other” in the Greco-Roman world
  • The advent of Christianity and its effect on the history of antisemitism
  • The Middle Ages and anti-Jewish discourse, libels and violence
  • The ideologies and revolutions of the Modern Period and their impact on the development of antisemitism
  • Nazi ideology and the Holocaust
  • Antisemitism in the Far-right and Far-left
  • Holocaust Denial
  • Anti-Zionism and antisemitism
  • The case of the Islamic and Arab world
  • Online hate

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive history of antisemitism

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and vital exploration of antisemitism from its origins to the present. Students find the content incredibly important and handled with the gravity it deserves. The historical overview is thorough, and the course does an effective job of connecting the past to modern manifestations, including contemporary issues like online hate and anti-Zionism. Many appreciate the high quality of the material, reflecting the expertise of Yad Vashem. While the subject matter is inherently emotionally challenging and difficult, reviewers generally feel it is presented with sensitivity and clarity. Some mention that the material can be dense and might require prior knowledge or significant engagement.
Subject matter can be heavy and challenging
"Can be emotionally challenging due to the topic..."
"It is incredibly important and handled with the gravity it deserves. The content is challenging but vital."
"The course doesn't shy away from difficult truths. A challenging but ultimately incredibly rewarding experience."
Links historical roots to contemporary issues
"The way it connects past to present is particularly strong."
"The section on modern antisemitism and anti-Zionism was particularly insightful..."
"...transition to modern issues felt a bit abrupt. The segment on online hate was relevant."
High quality reflecting publisher's expertise
"...lectures were delivered with profound expertise and sensitivity."
"Yad Vashem's involvement is evident in the quality and detail."
"Thank you Yad Vashem for making this course available."
Thorough overview from origins to modern times
"An incredibly comprehensive and deeply moving course. The historical overview was thorough..."
"Covers a vast amount of history effectively."
"Good coverage of the historical aspects..."
"This course provides critical context for understanding historical and contemporary antisemitism."
Essential learning for understanding critical issue
"Essential learning for everyone."
"A vital course covering a difficult subject."
"Absolutely essential learning for anyone wanting to understand this critical issue."
Can feel overwhelming or require prior knowledge
"...found the lectures sometimes dry and the amount of material dense."
"Found this course quite overwhelming. The pace was fast, and the historical details were dense."
"...requires a lot of background knowledge, which isn't always made clear."
"Felt like a university lecture series without sufficient support or explanation..."

Career center

Learners who complete Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected 28 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Antisemitism: From Its Origins to the Present.
This comprehensive encyclopedia provides a detailed overview of antisemitism throughout history, covering its origins, manifestations, and impact on Jewish communities worldwide.
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This foundational memoir providing a harrowing first-hand account of the author's experiences in Nazi concentration camps. It is essential for gaining an initial, deeply personal understanding of the human impact of the Holocaust and is often used as introductory reading in various educational settings.
Primo Levi's account powerful and intellectually rigorous memoir of his year in Auschwitz. It delves into the degradation and dehumanization within the camps and is considered a classic for its clear-sighted analysis and profound reflections on the human condition.
This collection brings together all of Levi's writings, offering a complete picture of his reflections on the Holocaust and its aftermath. It is an invaluable resource for in-depth study of his work and his enduring legacy.
A groundbreaking graphic novel that tells the story of the author's father's experiences as a Holocaust survivor. Its unique format makes it accessible and impactful, offering a powerful personal narrative and exploring the intergenerational trauma of the Holocaust.
The second volume of Spiegelman's graphic novel continues his father's story and reflects on the process of creating Maus and the impact of the Holocaust on the second generation. It deepens the themes introduced in the first volume and is essential for a complete reading of this seminal work.
A memoir by a Holocaust survivor and psychologist, focusing on trauma, healing, and freedom. offers a powerful message of resilience and is particularly relevant for contemporary discussions on trauma and recovery.
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Directly addresses the complex question of how the Holocaust happened, examining the various contributing factors. It provides a clear and insightful analysis suitable for students seeking a deeper understanding of the causes and progression of the genocide.
Examines the mass murders committed by both Nazi and Soviet regimes in the borderlands between them. It provides crucial historical context for understanding the specific circumstances in Eastern Europe where much of the Holocaust took place.
Compiles firsthand accounts from survivors and witnesses, offering a powerful collection of individual experiences. It is valuable for providing personal perspectives and strong resource for understanding the diverse impacts of the Holocaust.
Published recently, this book offers a contemporary perspective on the Holocaust, arguing that its history is unfinished and continues to have implications today. It challenges common perceptions and encourages a deeper engagement with the complexities of the event and its legacy.
Examines contemporary antisemitism, tracing its roots and analyzing its current manifestations. Given the close relationship between antisemitism and the Holocaust, this book is essential for understanding the historical context and ongoing relevance of prejudice and hatred.
Examines the role of doctors in the Holocaust. Lifton, an American psychiatrist, explores the psychological motivations of the Nazi doctors who participated in the mass murder of Jews and other groups.
Uses a single photograph to investigate a specific massacre in Ukraine, highlighting the role of local collaborators and the nature of open-air killings. It offers a microhistorical approach that complements broader studies of the Holocaust.
Presents testimonies of Holocaust survivors in Spanish, offering direct personal accounts of the events. It vital resource for connecting with the human stories of the Holocaust and understanding the impact on individuals.
This edited volume explores the phenomenon of Holocaust and genocide denial from various perspectives. It valuable resource for understanding the historical, social, and legal contexts of denial, a critical contemporary issue.
This groundbreaking study examines the roots of antisemitism in the Greco-Roman world, shedding light on the origins of anti-Jewish prejudices.
This classic work provides a comprehensive overview of antisemitism from ancient times to the 20th century.
This collection of primary sources provides a rich tapestry of Jewish experiences in the modern era, including encounters with antisemitism and the struggle for equality.
This detailed account explores the social and cultural factors that fueled antisemitism in the medieval period.
Explores the relationship between Nazi ideology and the Holocaust. Burleigh, a British historian, argues that the Holocaust was not simply a product of anti-Semitism, but rather was a central part of Nazi ideology.
Examines the economic policies of the Nazi regime. Tooze, a British historian, argues that the Nazi economy was not simply a product of the war, but rather was a central part of the regime's ideology.
Explores the psychological factors that contribute to genocide. Staub, an American psychologist, draws on a wide range of research to provide a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the psychology of genocide.
Examines the role of ordinary people in the Holocaust. Browning, an American historian, follows the story of Reserve Police Battalion 101, a group of ordinary German men who were responsible for the mass murder of Jews in Poland.

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