Islamic Studies Program

Phone:

(812) 855-2033

Email:

gjikeli@indiana.edu

Department:

Borns Jewish Studies Program; Germanic Studies

I am a historian and sociologist of modern Europe, with particular interests in the History of antisemitism. I have been puzzled by highly irrational antisemitic beliefs and have tried to come to an understanding of such ways of thinking.

My recent book on European Muslim antisemitism looks into patterns of argumentations: how do people – young Muslims in this case – try to justify negative views of Jews? The book is the result of sociological research from a de-essentializing perspective.

My previous book (editor) on forced labor from 1936 to 1945 at Peenemunde for the construction of the V2 Rocket under technical director Wernher von Braun underlines the irrationality of this endeavorer that led to immense suffering. My book (with Joëlle Allouche-Benayoun) on perceptions of the Holocaust in Europe and Muslim communities is a collection of studies in today's – often problematic – views of the Holocaust, focusing on Western Europe.

My current research projects include works on the impact of contemporary antisemitism in France and Germany, Dieudonné, intergenerational transmissions of antisemitic beliefs, and perceptions of the Holocaust.

Dr. Jikeli offers supervision and advice for students who wish to study antisemitism or who are writing a thesis related to antisemitism. Different methods and approaches of critical antisemitism studies will be discussed. He is available every Wednesday 10-12 or by appointment