JEWISH WOMEN IN MODERN AMERICA HISTORY 4475 B Spring 2014 TT 3:30 B 4:50 215 Wooten DR. E.G. POLLACK email: [email protected] phone: 940/565-4514 Office: 242 Wooten Office hours: Tu 2-3, 5B7 PM and by appointment

DESCRIPTION: This course examines the reshaping of gender norms and behavior among American Jews and the changing experiences and representations of American Jewish women (and men) over the course of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It compares the gender norms and behavior of Jews in the U.S. with those in Central and Eastern Europe. The course situates American Jewish women’s (and men’s) experiences within the larger context of American history.

OBJECTIVES: By focusing on Jewish women and Jews and gender, this course deepens students’ understanding of both diversity and gender in America. By assessing the impact of various Jewish and American institutions on gender, students will learn how and why American Jews’, as well as other Americans’, gender norms and gender behavior changed over time.

Readings: Philip Roth, Goodbye, Columbus Herman Wouk, Marjorie Morningstar Eunice G. Pollack, ed., Antisemitism on the Campus: Past & Present Annelise Orleck, Common Sense and A Little Fire Carole Bell Ford, The Girls: Jewish Women of Brownsville, Brooklyn, 1945-1995

1. Patterns of Jewish Immigration to America

2. Tradition: Gender in the Shtetl The Impact of Emancipation and the Haskala Gender and Education Gender and Work Transformation of the Jewish Family

3. Becoming American-Jewish Women Transformation of Gender Identity and Gender Relations Courtship, Marriage and the Family Transformation of Jewish Women=s Work Education, Gender, and Jews Gender and the New Patterns of Consumption

4. Women and the Shaping of American Judaism Gender and the Mehitza

5. Mobility and the Remaking of Jewish Life and Gender, 1945 - present Achieving the Jewish-American Dream: His DreamBand Hers Acculturation or Maintaining Jewish DifferenceBthe Gender Divide Intermarriage Gendered Antisemitism 2

6. Changing Representations of Jews and Gender The Jewish MotherBImage vs. Reality The Jewish American PrincessBImage vs. Reality Origins and Development of the Image Antisemitic Elements Representations of Jewish Men Subverting the Negative Images

7. Jewish Women and the Feminist Movement in America

REQUIREMENTS: The final grade in this course is based on the student=s performance on a mid-term exam (optional), a final exam, and a short paper (10 percent). The mid-term and final are all-essay exams. If the student elects to take the mid-term, the mid-term exam counts 40 percent and the final exam counts 50 percent. If the student elects to take only the final, the final exam counts 90 percent. The paper is due at the time of the final exam. The final exam is on May 6, 2014, 1:30 AM - 3:30 PM.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course. Any incident of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating and plagiarism will result in an AF@ for the course, in addition to any penalties the university imposes. Such incidents will be handled in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the ACode of Student Conduct and Discipline@ in the Undergraduate Catalog.

DISABILITY STATEMENT: The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time; however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. For additional information, consult the Office of Disability Accommodation website at www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact the ODA by phone at 940/565-4323.