Creative Cartography: Transmitting Literature and Knowledge Teaching Eastern European Jewish History
ABSTRACT The contribution explores an interdisciplinary and creative approach to the transmission of Central and Eastern European Jewish history and culture. In a course at Sciences Po Paris, students were invited to reflect on the circulation of ideas, historical narratives, and cultural dynamics through Olga Tokarczuk’s The Books of Jacob. Creative cartography was introduced as an innovative method that combines academic rigor with artistic expression. This approach encourages students to create maps that represent spaces and narratives through emotions, subjective experiences, and diverse materials. This collaborative and imaginative process aims to deepen the understanding of historical and social phenomena while transforming teaching and learning practices. The dossier includes six articles that engage with all seven “books” of The Books of Jacob. It highlights how combining scholarly analysis with artistic practices can deepen understanding and offer new perspectives on the transmission of historical knowledge.
issue 27 / n.1 (2025)
