University of Texas Denial Movie Discussion Questions

The Holocaust can be studied from many different angles, perspectives or “lenses” as we say in the world of academia. This does not apply to how we study the Holocaust but also the way that gender factors into those scholars writing and researching on different topics involving the Holocaust. Dr. Deborah Lipstadt of Emory University is an excellent “case study” in how the role of gender can play out in Holocaust scholarship. Dr. Deborah Lipstadt is a pioneer and expert in “Holocaust denial” and has devoted her career towards “de-bunking” Holocaust deniers. She is also a proud Jewish woman.  Here is a link to more information on Dr. Lipstadt and her work: https://www.ushmm.org/research/about-the-mandel-ce…

In 2016, the movie Denial was released, based on the true story of Dr. Lipstadt’s groundbreaking court case in which she (her publisher) was sued by a prominent published Holocaust denier. She was then tasked with, esstentially, defending the truth of the Holocaust in a British court.

For your paper: You  will be required to write an 6 to 8 page (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font) research paper on the film Denial (2016).

1.  You will need to watch the film (available on Amazon video) and research the story behind it.

2. In your paper, you will explain the story and then, utilizing your research on the case, the book that prompted the case, and the movie- answer all of the following meta questions:

What role did gender play in Dr. Lipstadt’s court case? 

What was Dr. Lipstadt’s connection to the Holocaust and how do you think that the case have possibly been handled differently if she were a man? 

Do you agree or disagree that the fact that Dr. Lipstadt is a woman affected the court’s view of her testimony? What about the world’s view of her scholarship and research on the topic?

For your paper: You  will be required to write an 6 to 8 page (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font) research paper on the film Denial (2016). 

1.  You will need to watch the film (available on Amazon video) and research the story behind it.

2. In your paper, you will explain the story and then, utilizing your research on the case, the book that prompted the case, and the movie- answer the some or all of the following meta questions: 

What role did gender play in Dr. Lipstadt’s court case? 

What was Dr. Lipstadt’s connection to the Holocaust and how do you think that the case have possibly been handled differently if she were a man? 

Do you agree or disagree that the fact that Dr. Lipstadt is a woman affected the court’s view of her testimony? What about the world’s view of her scholarship and research on the topic?

You will need to provide well researched proof texts to support your argument, as well proper in text citations and a works cited page. It is expected that each paper will utilize at least 4-7 sources, which can include newspaper articles, film reviews, etc.

Once you have presented your research, it will then be appropriate to bring in your own opinion for the conclusion. Feel free to disagree with your sources- but always be prepared to back-up your arguments with proof-texts!

You will write an 6 to 8-page (double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12pt font) research paper on the film  Denial (2016), which focuses on the work of Dr. Deborah Lipstadt in Holocaust denial. You will need to watch the film (available on Amazon video) and research the story behind it. In your paper, you will explain the story and then answer the meta question; what role did gender play in Dr. Lipstadt’s court case? What was Dr. Lipstadt’s connection to the Holocaust and how would that case have possibly been handled differently if she was a man? You will need to provide well researched proof texts to support your argument.