ENGH 206: Literature in the Creation of Just Societies

ENGH 206-002: Lit and Film of the Holocaust
(Spring 2027)

01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW

Peterson Hall 1111

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Section Information for Spring 2027

ENGH 206 - 002: Lit and Film of the Holocaust

This course explores the literature and film created in response to the murder of approximately 11,000,000 million people at the direction of Nazi Germany’s government between 1933 and 1945, a crime against humanity that has come to be known as “The Holocaust.” While this course deals with historical forces and events, it is not a history course, so our goal is not to draw whatever historical lessons from the Holocaust might be drawn. Rather, it is to consider the ways in which literature and film process a degree of horror and depravity that daunt our comprehension. Art is an attempt to derive meaning from — or, perhaps more accurately, to impose meaning on — the human experience. Those who experienced the Holocaust (or, in some cases, simply contemplated it) have used various artistic media to fulfill that purpose. We will spend the semester examining those various attempts thoughtfully, respectfully, and critically.

Texts: In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson | The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank | Night, Dawn, Day by Elie Wiesel | Survival in Auschwitz by Primo Levi | Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl | Maus: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: A Survivor’s Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman

Films: Cabaret | The Garden of the Finzi-Continis | Au Revoir Les Enfants | Schindler’s List | The Pianist | The Grey Zone | Conspiracy | Europa, Europa | The Pawnbroker | Jojo Rabbit

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Explores the unique role literature plays in the creation of just societies. Analyzes texts with attention to structure, language, specific literary devices, and contexts of production as they relate to questions of justice. Offered by English. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 9 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Just Societies, Literature
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: lower division composition requirement
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

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