Jewish Studies Course Descriptions

Core requirement. This course offers a general overview of the history of Jews and Judaism, beginning with the Biblical period and ending with modern times. This course will be renumbered JS270 effective Fall 2012

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 120.) Introduction to the institutions and folklore of the ethnic communities in modern Israeli society and culture. In English; no knowledge of Hebrew required.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 125.) Readings in English of major works from Biblical narrative to modern Hebrew, Yiddish, and other Jewish fiction.

(Same as History 170.) Jewish history in the last two centuries. Emphasizes Jewish development, emancipation, assimilation, identity, and changing status in Europe, America, the Islamic world, and Palestine/Israel.

Designed to engage first-year students in aspects of inquiry and research into areas of Jewish religion, culture, history, or language. Topics will vary.

(Same as Religion 205.) The Hebrew scriptures ("Old Testament"), in translation, examined in their historical setting, and in their roles as sacred texts in Judaism and Christianity.

(Same as REL 210RS.) This course will explore classic religious texts in depth, developing skills to interpret sacred, philosophical, and ethical works. Social, cultural, and/or philosophical contexts at work will provide an interpretive framework.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 125.) Readings in English of major works from Biblical narrative to modern Hebrew, Yiddish, and other Jewish fiction.

(Same as German Studies 230.) A broad introduction to the history, literature, and film of Ashkenazi Jewish culture in Europe and America. All texts in English translation.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 250/Religion 260.) An introductory course to the field of Biblical archaeology, with a careful examination of theory, methodology, famous discoveries, important sites, and historical questions.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 251/Religion 251.) Everyday life in ancient Israel (1200-586 BCE), including the economy, religion and culture, city planning, the Israelite kitchen, burials, status of women, and more.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 252.) A survey of the history of Jerusalem from its earliest times to the Crusader period, through examination of archaeological remains and other ancient sources.

(Same as Anthropology 280R.) Introduction to Jewish populations and cultures within the framework of four fields of general anthropology: biological, archaeological, cultural, and linguistic.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 259R/Religion 261R) Summer. No prerequisites.

Core requirement. This course offers a general overview of the history of Jews and Judaism, beginning with the Biblical period and ending with modern times. This course will be renumbered JS270 effective Fall 2012

Special Topics in Jewish History: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish History. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes.

Special Topics in Jewish Religion & Culture: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish Religion and Culture. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes.

Special Topics in Jewish Literature: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish Literature. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes.

(Same as Religion 308.) Explores the rituals and practices of Judaism, placing them in their historical context and examining the theological concepts that underpin them.

(Same as Religion 309.) Modern Jewish history, society, and thought, with emphasis on religious and secular reformulation of Jewish self-identity.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 320.) This course investigates Jewish culture and society in the Middle East, with special emphasis on the modern period. The approach is interdisciplinary (history, ethnography, religious study, and linguistics).

(Same as Religion 324.) An analysis of the history and sociopolitical background of the Holocaust followed by popular, theological, and literary responses.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 325.) Summer. This course explores the nature of Israeli society, culture, and land, on location. In Israel; in English; no knowledge of Hebrew required.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 326/Linguistics 326.) A course dealing with the history and structure of Judaic languages such as Hebrew, Yiddish, Judeo-Arabic, and Ladino.

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 327 and Religion 327.) Summer. This course explores Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as other religious groups in the Holy Land in Israel. In English; no knowledge of Hebrew required.

(Same as Yiddish 397R.)

(Same as Religion 340.) Background and emergence of Rabbinic Judaism from 100-500 CE, its institutions and beliefs including study, law, chosenness, messianic doctrine of God, revelation, and prayer.

(Same as Religion 341.) Intensive study of a major work on an important theme in medieval Jewish thought such as Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed, Saadia's Beliefs and Opinions, and medieval Jewish exegesis of the Bible.

(Same as Religion 343.) Intensive study of a major work, author, or movement, or of an important theme in modern Jewish thought, such as Heschel, Buber, Reform, or religious anthropology.

(Same as Religion 352.) An exploration of the roles, image, and status of women in Jewish life from the biblical period through the present, using historical and religious documents, fiction, and film.

(Same as Religion 353.) Jewish mystical texts and themes, such as Zohar, Hasidism, and selected classical texts.

(Same as Religion 354WR.) Analysis of methods and/or texts pertaining to ethical decision making in one or more periods of Judaism.

(Same as History 370.) Evolution and growth of Israel. Equal emphasis on Ottoman Palestine and on the mandatory and Israeli statehood periods. Topics include Zionism, Arab-Jewish relations, the British colonial presence, Israeli domestic issues, and foreign policy.

This course will focus on particular aspects of or themes in Judaism or Jewish culture and how it is practiced. Topics will vary.

This course will focus on a specific period or dimension of Jewish history with an emphasis on the use of documents and other primary sources. Topics will vary.

This course will explore specific themes in the development of Hebrew or other Jewish languages. Sample literature will be studied in the original language. Topics will vary.

Among the topics studied are the patriarchs and the patriarchal period, exodus, the settlement of Canaan, and the Israelite monarchy.

(Same as Russian 381.) Explores Russian-Jewish intellectual dialogue in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries through the most representative examples of crosscultural sources (such as writing, both fiction and nonfiction, theater and film).

(Same as Middle Eastern Studies 397.) Summer. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Individual research on a chosen topic in Israeli or Holy Land studies.

(Same as MESAS 420R.) Introduction to Judeo Arabic through study of Judeo-Arabic texts.

Special Topics in Jewish Religion and Culture: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish religion and culture. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes

Special Topics in Jewish History: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish history. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes

Special Topics in Jewish Literature: Variety of subjects emphasizing Jewish literature. Content will vary. May be repeated when the topic changes