Odesa: Jews in the Modern World from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Lecture 1: A city like no other

In this first lecture, Professors Kenez & Baumgarten describe life in Odesa circa 1850-1930, a port city in Ukraine that was a dynamic opportunity zone for its Jewish population. They also introduce Jewish virtuosos Bialik, Babel, and other writers and artists of Odesa.

Lecture 2: Jewish life in the Russian Empire

Professor Kenez discusses the lives of Jews in the Pale of the Settlement, demographic changes, and the impact of industrialization on Jews in late 19th-century Russia.

Lecture 3: Modernism & Internationalism

Professor Baumgarten discusses Babel’s short story “Gedali,” the intercultural lives of Jewish virtuosos, and the impact of modernism and internationalism on their creative output.

Lecture 4: Antisemitism in the Russian Empire

Professor Kenez discusses programs, varieties of antisemitism, and the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

Lecture 5: Jewish achievement in the modern world

Professor Kenez discusses the culture, skills, and talents that Jews used to achieve something extraordinary in the modern world. He focuses on the development Jewish working and entrepreneurial classes, the advent of the Bund (the Jewish Labor Force), and the onset of the Revolution and Russian Civil War.

Lecture 6: Jewish virtuosity

Professor Baumgarten discusses Babel’s stories about growing up in Odesa where, for a brief window of time, Jews could have a better life than anywhere else in the Russian Empire. Simultaneously this was a dangerous and contested social space.

Lecture 7: Revolution & Civil War

In this final letcure, Professors Kenez & Baumgarten discuss the role and fates of Jews during the Russian Revolution and Civil War.

Final Project: A Postcard from Odesa

Learners will compete a peer reviewed final project: "A Postcard from Odesa"

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches Jewish history, which is relevant to the history and culture of the Jewish people

Explores the culture and lives of the Jewish people in Odesa, which offers insights into a unique time and place

Examines the work of Jewish virtuosos, such as Bialik and Babel, which helps learners deepen their understanding of their contributions

Analyzes antisemitism and its impact on Jewish people, which is highly relevant to current events

Investigates Jewish achievements and contributions in the modern world, which sheds light on the resilience and creativity of the Jewish people

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Odesa: Jews in the Modern World with these activities:

Review Russian History Preceding the Revolution

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Strengthen your understanding of the historical context of the course by reviewing key events and concepts in Russian history.

Browse courses on Russian History

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Read books or articles on Russian history, focusing on the period leading up to the revolution.
Watch documentaries or online lectures on the topic.
Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your knowledge.

Organize Course Notes and Materials

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Improve your organization and study habits by compiling and reviewing course materials.

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Gather all course notes, handouts, and assignments.
Organize the materials by topic or lecture.
Review the materials regularly to reinforce your understanding.

Watch Lectures on Jewish History and Culture

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Expand your knowledge of the historical and cultural background of the course materials by watching online lectures.

Browse courses on Jewish History

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Search for online lectures on Jewish history and culture, focusing on the period and region covered in the course.
Watch the lectures, taking notes on key concepts and perspectives.
Discuss the lectures with classmates or friends to deepen your understanding.

Four other activities

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Translate Yiddish Proverbs and Idioms

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Enhance your understanding of Jewish culture and vocabulary by translating Yiddish proverbs and idioms.

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Find a list of Yiddish proverbs and idioms online or in a dictionary.
Translate the proverbs and idioms into English, paying attention to their meaning and context.
Practice using the proverbs and idioms in conversation or writing.

Read Babel's Collected Stories

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Reinforce your understanding of Jewish culture and the literary style of modernism by reading Babel's classic short stories.

View Of Sunshine and Bedbugs: Essential Stories on Amazon

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Obtain the book from a library, bookstore, or online retailer.
Start reading the stories, paying attention to the characterization, plot, and themes.
Take notes on the story elements and your reactions to them.
Discuss the stories with classmates or friends to gain different perspectives.
Write a brief summary of each story to test your comprehension.

Create a Historical Timeline of Odesa

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Develop your research and presentation skills by creating a historical timeline of Odesa, highlighting key events and figures.

Browse courses on Jewish History

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Research the history of Odesa, focusing on the period covered in the course.
Identify important events, figures, and cultural landmarks.
Create a visual timeline, using a tool like TimelineJS or Google Earth.
Include images, maps, and multimedia to enhance the presentation.
Present your timeline to classmates or share it online.

Write a Character Analysis of a Jewish Virtuoso

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Develop your analytical skills and understanding of Jewish identity by analyzing a character from the course materials.

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Choose a Jewish virtuoso from the course materials that you find interesting.
Gather information about the character's background, motivations, and actions.
Analyze the character's role in the story and how they represent Jewish experiences.
Write a detailed character analysis essay, supporting your claims with evidence from the text.
Share your analysis with classmates or friends for feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Odesa: Jews in the Modern World will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

The skill set required for a successful Historian includes strong communication and research abilities, both in writing and speaking. These skills are a major focus of the course, and will help enhance those skills. A Historian may also specialize in Jewish history, or the history of Ukraine and other Eastern European nations. This course provides a strong foundation of knowledge for this.

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Archivist

The course provides insights into the history and culture of the Jewish community in Odessa. This knowledge can help Archivists better understand the archival materials they work with, and inform their decisions about how to preserve and make these materials accessible.

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Anthropologist

The course provides insight into the historical and cultural context of Jewish life in Odessa. This knowledge can help inform the work of Anthropologists studying Jewish communities and traditions.

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Museum Educator

This course can help build a foundation for Museum Educators who develop and deliver educational programs on Jewish history and culture. It can help them develop a deeper understanding of the topics they teach, and provide context for the artifacts and exhibits they work with.

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Writer

For Writers looking to cover topics about the Jewish experience in Odessa, this course provides the historical and cultural context that can help bring their work to life. The course also explores the writings of various Jewish authors, which may serve to inspire Writers looking for new ideas for their own work.

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Economist

The course provides insight into the economic and social conditions faced by Jewish people in Odessa. This knowledge can help Economists better understand the challenges and opportunities faced by Jewish communities, and inform their work on economic development and social policy.

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Rabbi

The course provides insight into the history, culture, and traditions of the Jewish community in Odessa. This knowledge can help Rabbis better understand the experiences and challenges faced by Jewish people, which can inform their work in providing spiritual guidance and support to their congregation.

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Journalist

This course can help build a foundation for aspiring Journalists who hope to write about Jewish culture and history, specifically concerning the city of Odessa. It also provides a deeper understanding of the issues and events that impact Jewish communities, which can help inform a Journalist's work.

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Political Scientist

This course may be of interest to Political Scientists who study the history and politics of the Russian Revolution and its impact on Jewish communities. It provides a deeper understanding of the ideologies and events that shaped this period of upheaval.

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Museum curator

The role of Museum Curator includes safeguarding and presenting artifacts of historical significance in a museum setting. Quite often, a Museum Curator will specialize in a specific period of history, such as the early 20th century or the Russian Revolution. This course can serve as a useful reference in understanding the circumstances and conditions faced by Jewish people in Odessa during this era.

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Sociologist

This course may be useful for Sociologists who study Jewish communities and the impact of antisemitism. It provides a historical and cultural context for understanding the challenges faced by Jewish people, as well as the resilience and creativity they have shown.

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Librarian

The course provides a broader understanding of Jewish history, culture, and traditions. This knowledge can help enhance the services provided by Librarians to Jewish patrons, such as recommending relevant books and resources, and providing programming on Jewish topics.

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Teacher

Teachers may find the course to be a useful reference for developing lessons and teaching students about Jewish history, culture, and the Russian Revolution. It can provide context for understanding the challenges they faced, as well as the contributions they made to Ukrainian society.

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Consultant

This course may be helpful for Consultants who work with Jewish organizations or communities. It provides a foundation for understanding the history, culture, and challenges faced by Jewish people.

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Nonprofit Manager

This course may be useful for Nonprofit Managers who work with Jewish organizations or communities. It provides a foundation for understanding the history, culture, and challenges faced by Jewish people, which can help inform their work in providing support and services.

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