Long Bio
Professor Michael Rubinoff is an historian and faculty member of the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. Joining ASU in 1997, he has taught a wide array of ground and online courses within the Interdisciplinary Studies/Organizational Leadership programs (core/special topics and electives), History, Religious Studies, and Film & Media Studies. Prior to ASU, Professor Rubinoff resided in Washington, DC for 17 years. There he served in administrative and writing capacities with major research organizations and was appointed a deputy assistant secretary with the International Trade Administration/US Dept. of Commerce. He managed a $13M grant program, including 10 regional offices operated with major universities and private sector partners.
Education
- Ph.D., American history - University of Denver
- M.A. in Education, social studies/history - Arizona State University
- B.A. in Education, history/political science - Arizona State University
Google Scholar URL
Research Interests
- American History/Culture
- U.S. Media and Politics
- Modern Jewish Studies
Over the past 17 years, Professor Rubinoff has presented papers at scholarly conferences in New York, Toronto, Millersville/Lancaster (PA), Miami, Milwaukee, Omaha, Denver, Tempe, San Antonio, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Vancouver.
Publications
Among Professor Rubinoff's recent book chapters and essays include:
- Rubinoff, MW. "Jewish Resistance Depicted in the Popular Culture with a Focus on the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt". Holocaust Resistance in Europe and America, Victoria Khiterer and Abigail S. Gruber, eds. (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK: 2017).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Holocaust Fantasy Films and Historical Considerations". The Holocaust: Memories and History, Victoria Khiterer and David S. Misal, eds. (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK: 2014)
- Rubinoff, MW. "Arlen Specter". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Louis B. Mayer". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Richard Rodgers". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Roy Cohn". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Shubert Brothers". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Sigmund Romberg". Great Lives from History: Jewish Americans, Raphael Medoff, ed. (Salem Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "Subtleties and Nuances in Jewish Film Humor". Studies in Jewish Civilization 22: Jews and Humor, Leonard J. Greenspoon, ed. (Purdue University Press, 2011).
- Rubinoff, MW. "The Chosen: The Jew as American and Alien". The Modern Jewish Experience in World Cinema, Lawrence Baron, ed. (Brandeis University Press, 2011).
Research Activity
Professor Rubinoff's recent conference presentations include:
- 2018 (03/11) “Imaging Herzl: Zionism’s Founder in Literature and Visual Media,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX.
- 2016 (04/07) (invited) “Jewish Resistance Depicted in the Popular Culture with Focus on the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt,” 34th Conference on the Holocaust & Genocide,” Millersville University, Millersville, PA.
- 2015 (11/17) “The Warsaw Ghetto Revolt: History, Fictional Accounts, and Cinematic License,” Jewish American Literature and Holocaust Conference, Miami, FL.
- 2015 (05/14) “‘So They Did Care’": Celebrity Jews and Nazi Germany, 1933-1941,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
- 2012 (04/19) (invited) “Holocaust Fantasy Films: How and What They Mean,” 32nd Annual Conference on the Holocaust & Genocide, Millersville University, Millersville, PA.
- 2011 (04/10) “‘The Chosen’: The Jew as American and Alien,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.
- 2010 (11/13) “Jews, Gentiles, and Hollywood Musicals,” Film and History Conference, Milwaukee, WI.
- 2010 (03/15) “The Forbidden Fruit: Jews, Shiksas, and Shaygetzes in Musicals,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
- 2009 (10/25) “Nuances and Subtleties in Jewish Film Humor,” 22nd Annual Klutznick-Harris Jewish Studies Symposium, Creighton University, Omaha, NE.
- 2009 (07/29) “Radio and Cultural Visualization after World War II: The Railroad Hour and Film Nostalgia,” The Radio Conference 2009, York University, Toronto, Canada.
- 2009 (04/26) “De-Semitizing Celebrity Jews: Hollywood’s Musical Biopics, 1939-56,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. /Midwest Jewish Studies Assn. Joint Conference, University of Denver, Denver, CO.
- 2008 (04/06) “Jewish Assimilation and Americanization in the Early 20th Century: The Triumph of Sigmund Romberg and The Student Prince,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA.
- 2003 (03/28) “Sigmund Romberg and the Book Musical of the 1920s,” The Broadway Musical 1920-2002 Conference, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY.
Courses
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| HST 109 | United States to 1865 |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
2020 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HST 110 | United States Since 1865 |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| HST 306 | Studies in US History |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| REL 374 | Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe |
| JST 306 | Studies in US History |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| REL 374 | Witchcraft & Heresy in Europe |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| OGL 350 | Diversity and Organizations |
| HST 109 | United States to 1865 |
| JST 304 | Studies in European History |
| HST 304 | Studies in European History |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
| IDS 321 | Interdisciplinary Issues |
Presentations
- Rubinoff, Michael, “Imaging Herzl: Zionism’s Founder in Literature and Visual Media,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX (March 2018).
- Rubinoff, Michael, “Jewish Resistance Depicted in the Popular Culture with Focus on the Warsaw Ghetto Revolt,” 34th Conference on the Holocaust & Genocide,” Millersville University, Millersville, PA (April 2016).
- Rubinoff, Michael, “The Warsaw Ghetto Revolt: History, Fictional Accounts, and Cinematic License,” Jewish American Literature and Holocaust Conference, Miami, FL (Nov. 2015).
- Rubinoff, Michael, “‘So They Did Care’: Celebrity Jews and Nazi Germany, 1933-1941,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (May 2014).
- Rubinoff, Michael, “Holocaust Fantasy Films: How and What They Mean,” 32nd Annual Conference on the Holocaust & Genocide, Millersville University, Millersville, PA. (April 2012).
- Rubinoff, Michael, “‘The Chosen’: The Jew as American and Alien,” Western Jewish Studies Assn. Annual Conference, San Diego, CA (April 2010).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "The Forbidden Fruit: Jews, Shiksas, and Shaygetzes in Musicals". Western Jewish Studies Assn., Tempe, AZ (March 2010).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Jews, Gentiles, and Hollywood Musicals". Film & History Conference, Milwaukee, WI (Nov. 2010).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Nuances and Subtleties in Jewish Film Humor". The Klutznick-Harris 23rd Annual Symposium, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, (Oct. 2009).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Radio and Cultural Visualization after World War II: The Railroad Hour and Film Nostalgia". The Radio Conference 2009, York University, Toronto, Canada, (July 2009).
- Rubinoff, Michael. Radio History session chair. The Radio Conference 2009, York University, Toronto, Canada (July 2009).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "De-Semitizing Celebrity Jews: Hollywood’s Musical Biopics, 1939-56". Western/Midwest Jewish Studies Conference, University of Denver, Denver, CO (April 2009).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Jewish Assimilation and Americanization in the Early 20th Century: The Triumph of Sigmund Romberg and The Student Prince". Western States Jewish Studies Assn. 14th Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA (April 2008).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Summer of '42" at the Phoenix Art Museum (July 2007).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "The War of the Worlds" at the Phoenix Art Museum (Feb. 2007).
- Rubinoff, Michael. "Sigmund Romberg and the Book Musical of the 1920s". The Broadway Musical, 1920-2020, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY (March 2002).
Editorships
- 2015 Editor for Article Peer Review, Sage Open
Service
University/Academic Unit Service
- 2020 CISA Grade Appeal and Academic Integrity Committee, Member
- 2019 FLIS Interdisciplinary Studies Curriculum Task Force, Member
- 2019 FLIS Liberal Studies Curriculum Task Force, Member
- 2015-2018 ASU Jewish Studies Program Grossman Chair Search/Candidate Host Committee, Member
- 2014-2018 FLIS Faculty Review Committee, Member
- 2014-2016 FLIS Personnel and Promotion Committee, Member
- 2013-2017 FLIS Search Committee, Member
- 2013 ASU Online and Pat Tillman Veterans Center program with the American Council on Education, Panelist
- 2013 Ad Hoc SLS Grade Appeal Committee, Chair
- 2012 SLS Convocation, Platform Participant
- 2012-2015 BIS Curriculum Committee, Member
- 2011 ASU Jewish Studies High School Holocaust Essay Competition, Referee Panel Member
- 2011 Department of English Homecoming Committee, Member
- 2010 ASU Representative, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, University Faculty Program
- 2010 FMS Graduate Admissions Committee, Member
- 2010 ASU Commencement and CLAS/FMS Convocation, Attendee
- 2010 Jewish Studies Program, Curriculum Committee, Member
- 2008-2010 Sun Devils for Israel, Faculty Advisor (helped club secure their foundational charter)
- 2008-2012 FMS/ASU 101 & Academic Clusters, Member
- 2007-2012 FMS/Text Book Curriculum Committee, Member
- 2007-20012 Center for Film, Media & Popular Culture, Provided input for future projects
- 2008 FMS Curriculum Committee, Member
- 2008 FMS/Unit Undergraduate Academic Advisor Search Committee, Member
- 2008 ASU Graduation Ceremony, FMS Representative
- 2008 FMS/ASU 101 & Academic Clusters Committee, Member
- 2007-2008 FMS/New Industries Assistant Professor Search Committee, Member
- 2007-2008 Jewish Studies Program/New Director Search, Candidate Host Committee, Member
- 2007 CLAS/FMS and CLAS Convocation, Attendee
- 2007 FMS/Associate Professor Search (Entertech) Committee, Member
- 2007 FMS/New Industries Assistant Professor Search Committee, Member
- 2007 FMS/Course Regularization Packages, Preparer of Package
- 2007 CLAS Dean/Future of Distance Learning, FMS Representative
- 2007 FMS Unit Future/FMS Director Search Committee, Member
- 2007 CLAS Graduation/FMS, Attendee
Community Activities/Service
- 2020 Interviewed for The Arizona Republic podcast, “What was Barry Goldwater’s Legacy in American Politics?” (12/7/20) https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2020/12/07/valley-10…
- 2020 Faculty, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (ASU), “Central European Jewish Life Today” (series of four lectures via Zoom)
- 2020 Member, Task force on "The Holocaust and Other Genocides": Advisory panel providing content and assistance to the Arizona State Board of Education in the implementation of mandated Holocaust curriculum in middle and high schools.
- 2019 Presenter/Panelist, 7th Genocide Awareness Week, “From Nuremberg to Hollywood: Filming the Camps,” Scottsdale Community College (Scottsdale)
- 2018 Governor’s Representative, 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, African American Advisory Committee/Tempe Historical Museum (Tempe)
- 2018 Discussion Moderator, “Get Reel Documentary Film Series” with PBS POV Programs: (1) Bill Nye: Science Guy (June), (2) The Grown-Ups (June), (3) Shalom Italia (July), Chandler Public Library (Chandler)
- 2018 Panelist, NCM Community Affairs Program with past/present Arizona state senators, Tempe Public Library (Tempe)
- 2018 Guest Speaker, “What is the state of American history education?”, Kiwanis Nuevo (Tempe)
- 2017 Panelist, “Americans and the Nazi Threat: What Did Arizonans Know”?, co-sponsored by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum with ASU and The Arizona Republic (Tempe) https://vimeo.com/239020835
- 2017 Governor’s Representative, 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration, African American Advisory Committee/Tempe Historical Museum (Tempe)
- 2017 Discussion Moderator, America in Times of Conflict Series: The Day the Earth Stood Still (January), Dick Cavett’s Vietnam (March), Chandler Public Library (Chandler)
- 2016 Keynote Speaker, Holocaust Remembrance Day, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (Fort Huachuca)
- 2015 Guest Speaker, Havurah of Fountain Hills (Fountain Hills)
- 2014 Panelist, Zócalo Public Square Program: “Barry Goldwater and Modern Libertarianism,” ASU Kerr Cultural Center (Scottsdale) – C-SPAN http://www.c-span.org/video/?319804-1/barry-goldwater-libertarianism
- 2014 Guest Columnist, "Barry Goldwater’s Significance," The Arizona Republic https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2014/04/11/barry-goldwater-changed-arizona-politics/7601581/
- 2012 Guest Speaker, "The Great American Songbook," Desert Foothills Jewish Community (Scottsdale)
- 2011 Guest Speaker, Arizona Humanities Council/ASU Center for Media, Film & Popular Culture Film Series: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Anthem and Surprise)
- 2010 Guest Speaker, Phoenix Jewish Film Festival: Leo and Claire (Scottsdale)
- 2009 Guest Speaker, Film Club of Paradise Valley (Phoenix)
- 2008 Guest Speaker, Film Club of Paradise Valley (Paradise Valley)
- 2007 Guest Speaker, Phoenix Art Museum Film Series: The War of the Worlds (February), Summer of ’42 (July)
- 2005 Guest Speaker, “Jews and American Music,” Tri-City Jewish Community Center (Tempe)
- 2004-2005 Guest Speaker, Arizona Jewish Historical Society Series: "Celebrating 350 Years of Jewish Life in America" (Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center in Scottsdale, Burton S. Barr Phoenix Public Library, Scottsdale Civic Center Public Library, Temple Emanuel of Tempe)
- 2004 Coordinator, Holocaust Remembrance Day with Survivor Bert Lewyn, secured funding from 17 co-sponsors for a series of events held at ASU, in the local community, and at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff)
- 2003 Guest Speaker, History of Israel Series: (1) “The Idea of a Jewish State,” (2) “Britain, the Zionists, and the Birth of Israel,” (3) “Israel, Arabs, and Peace: 1948-2003,” Tri-City Jewish Community Center (Tempe)
- 2002 Featured Speaker, “The New Anti-Semitism,” American Jewish Committee - Arizona Chapter Think Tank Retreat (Sedona)
- 2002 Guest Speaker, Conversations with Our Elders Series: (1) “They Came Here Too: Sephardic and German Jews in America,” and (2) “The Landsmann Arrive: Russian Jews and the Making of America,” Tri-City Jewish Community Center (Tempe)
- 2001-2002 Featured Speaker, Arizona Humanities Council Series: “9/11 Community Conversations,” (Florence, Parker, Show Low, and Tempe) - also served as a Panel Member at the premier program (Burton S. Barr Phoenix Public Library)
- 2000 Guest Speaker, Celebrating Jews in American Popular Culture Series: (1) “Along Shubert Alley: Jews and the Making of Early American Musical Theater,” (2) “Hollywood’s Image of the Jews: Visibility and Invisibility,” (3) “Television and Jewish Types,” Tri-City Jewish Community Center (Tempe)
- 2000 Workshop Presenter, "The 2000 Educators’ Conference on the Holocaust" sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education (Scottsdale)
- 2000 Guest Speaker, “Along Shubert Alley: Jews and the Making of the American Musical Theater,” Temple B’rith Shalom (Prescott)
- 1999 Featured Speaker, Temple Beth Shalom and Jewish Community Center of Sun City, "Early Days of Temple Beth Shalom" (Sun City)
- 1999 Workshop Presenter, "The 1999 Educators’ Conference on the Holocaust" sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education (Scottsdale)
- 1998 Workshop Presenter, “The 1998 Educators’ Conference on the Holocaust” sponsored by the Greater Phoenix Bureau of Jewish Education (Phoenix)
- 1997 Featured Speaker, Temple Beth Shalom and Jewish Community Center of Sun City (Anne Raihill Lecture), “Hollywood’s Images of the Jews: Visibility and Invisibility” (Sun City)
Consulting
- 2020 Peer reviewed two chapters of Henkin’s, Becoming America 2e (U.S. history since 1865) for MacMillan
- 2020 Online Distributed Reader, ETS College Board, Advanced Placement, U.S. History (scored 363 high school essay exams over 54 hrs.)
- 2019 Editorial reviewer and dust cover commentator for Sage Publishing (Repko, Szostak, Buchberger, Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies, 3rd ed.)
- 2019 Peer reviewed book proposal for Bloomsbury Press
- 2019 Advisor for Macmillan “Achieve and Practice” eBook and online learning platform (U.S. history to 1865)
- 2018 Video interviewed about selecting college teaching materials, Rand Research Corp., Toronto, Canada
- 2018 Peer reviewed book proposal for Bloomsbury Press
- 2018 Reviewed video scripts for international relations course, CQ Press/Sage Publishing
- 2017 Advisor for Macmillan Digital Education Products
- 2016 Academic Review Panel Member, American Council on Education/Straighter Line Courses Beta Final Exams (Linthicum Heights, MD)
- 2016 Reviewer for Macmillan Publishing (U.S. history text)
- 2015-Date Faculty Partner for an ASU Online/EdPlus, Next Generation Courseware Challenge, project funded by the Gates Foundation with Cogbooks Adaptive Learning Systems: HST 110: United States since 1865
- 2015 Faculty Creative Team Member, ASU/edX.org Online Partnership for Open Access Course/ASU Freshman Global Academy: HST 102: Western Civilization (co-developed unit on Jewish history: Antiquity through the Middle Ages)
- 2015-Date Consultant for Pearson’s Revel U.S. history texts (online platform)
- 2015 Reviewer for Sage Publishing (revision of Repko & Szostak, Interdisciplinary Research)
- 2014 Academic Review Panel Member, American Council on Education/U.S. Department of Defense Information School (Fort Meade, MD)
- 2014 Peer Reviewer for Pearson Longman Publishing (4 textbooks)
- 2014 Consultant, Cengage Distance Learning (Boston)
- 2014 Consultant, Pearson Distance Learning (Los Angeles)
- 2013 Peer Reviewer for Pearson Longman Publishing
- 2012 Peer Reviewer for Westview Press
- 2010 Peer Reviewer for John Wiley Publishing
- 2010 Peer Reviewer for Pearson Longman Publishing
- 2009 Peer Reviewer for Allyn & Bacon Publishing
- 2005 Peer Reviewer for Roman & Littlefield Publishing
- 2005 Peer Reviewer for University Press of New England
- 2004 Peer Reviewer for Roman & Littlefield Publishing
- 2003 Editor and indexer for James E. McMillan’s biography, Ernest W. McFarland: Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Governor and Chief Justice of the State of Arizona, Sharlot Hall Museum Press (Prescott)
Board
- 2011-2012 Member, Advisory Board for the Millersville University (PA) 32nd Annual Conference on the Holocaust & Genocide Studies.
Industry Positions
- 1990-1991 Contractor, Office of Aerospace/Office of Capitol Goods (International Trade Administration), U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, DC
- 1989-1990 Deputy Assistant Secretary for Trade Adjustment Assistance (International Trade Administration), U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, DC
- 1988-1989 Contractor (Bureau of Export Administration), U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Washington, DC
- 1982-1988 Government Affairs Consultant/Researcher/Writer, Washington, DC
- 1981 Staff Assistant to the Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC
- 1980-1981 Transition Team Member, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC
Pro Bono
- 2016 Peer Reviewer for article, Queer Studies in Media and Popular Culture, Vol. 2, Issue 2, 2017
- 2013 Advisor, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Arizona Educators' Regional Conference
- 2013 Advisor, National Social Science Press
- 2010-2011 Campus Coordinator for ASU Pre-Service Teachers Program on behalf of United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and Belfer First Step Program
- 2008-2009 ASU Coordinator, Arizona Holocaust Initiative for Teacher Education (AZHITE) in conjunction with Northern Arizona University and University of Arizona
- 2007 Advisor, Arizona Jewish Historical Society, Salute to Jewish Composers Program (Scottsdale)
- 2006 Guest Lecturer (for ill professor) over four classes, ASU Dept. of History, HST 211: American Jewish History
Executive Education Courses
- 2019 Course Content Reviewer/Faculty Host: Lumen Waymaker and ASU Online/EdPlus Continuing Education
(1) CLE: CPE-LIS-COMM 102: Writing for Business
(2) CLE: CPE-LIS-COMM 106: Writing Business Reports
(3) CLE: CPE-LIS-COMM 108: Developing Business Presentations
- 2018 Course Content Reviewer/Faculty Host: Lumen Waymaker and ASU Online/EdPlus Continuing Education
(1) CLE: CPE-LIS-MGT 107: Organizational Culture and Diversity
(2) CLE: CPE-LIS-MKT 108: Branding: Positioning Product/Service
(3) CLE: CPE-LIS-MKT 113: Marketing Globally
- 2017 Course Content Reviewer/Faculty Host: Cengage and ASU Online/EdPlus Continuing Education
(Professional Skills Mastery: Developing Reports and Proposals)
- 1999 Workshops Facilitator, Federally Employed Women 1999 National Training Program (Phoenix)
(1) "Career Growth 2000: How to Win Pay Bonuses, Grade, and Step Increases”
(2) “Civil Servants Survival Guide to Political Appointees”