Abstract
“Why the Jews? Antisemitism from Its Origins to the Present” explores the long history of
antisemitism, asking why Jews have been consistently targeted across different times, cultures,
and political systems. Through various primary and secondary sources, we will examine the
religious, economic, political, racial, and conspiratorial dimensions of antisemitism, and consider
how it has evolved—and persisted—in modern times.
Specifically, this course traces the evolution of antisemitism from antiquity to the present,
highlighting its ethnic, racial, and economic expressions in contexts such as the advent of
Christianity, the age of imperialism, and the violence perpetrated by authoritarian regimes. Then,
we will explore how antisemitism changed after the Holocaust, the establishment of the state of
Israel, resulting conflicts in the Middle East, and contemporary conversations surrounding Israel
and Jews, from college campuses to stand-up comedy. In doing so, we will examine different
periods, cultures, and countries in our attempt to define a term that is frequently invoked and
often misunderstood.