Dissidents and Dreamers: Modern and Contemporary Jewish-American Fiction

This course explores the rich landscape of the Jewish-American novel from the 20th century to the present, examining how Jewish identity, culture, and history intersect with broader American narratives. Through close readings of eight pivotal works—Tillie Olsen’s Tell Me A Riddle, E.L. Doctorow’s Ragtime,  Philip Roth’s Exit Ghost, Allegra Goodman’s Kaaterskill Falls, Michael Chabon’s The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, Francesca Segal’s The Awkward Age, Keith Gessen’s All the Sad Young Literary Men, and James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store—students will analyze themes of assimilation, diaspora, faith, and social justice. The course traces the evolution of Jewish American literary voices, from historical fiction to speculative narratives and contemporary explorations of community and individuality. Each week, we will discuss one novel, focusing on its historical context, narrative style, and contribution to the Jewish-American literary canon.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• Analyze key themes, narrative styles, and historical contexts in Jewish-American novels from the 20th century to the present
• Examine how Jewish identity, culture, and history intersect with broader American social and literary narratives
• Evaluate the evolution of Jewish-American literary voices and their contributions to the American literary canon

Ideal for

• Those with an interest in modern literature
• The curious and creative