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COURSES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2008-2009
FALL 2008
JUDS0050 Freshman Seminars
JUDS0050B Jews and Whiteness - Lynn Davidman
This course examines multiculturalism from a Jewish perspective. In particular, it interrogates the question of whether or not Jews are "white folk" and suggests that the Jewish experience can be a basis for questioning the conventional oppositions between the supposed monoculture of whiteness and the variegated multiculturalism of minorieties of color. FYS. Enrollment limited to 20.
JUDS0110 Elementary Hebrew - Ruth Adler Ben-Yehuda
An introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in contemporary Israeli Hebrew. Students also read Hebrew texts adapted for their level of Hebrew based on biblical, rabbinic and modern Hebrew literature, which intoduces them to the approaches of Hebrew writers in various periods and to a variety of cultural issues. Enrollment limited to 20. If Unable to enroll because of closed registration, please contact the Professor and a wait list will be created. This is the first half of a year-long course whose first semester grade is normally a temporary one. Neither semester may be elected independently without special written permission. The final grade at the end of the course work in JUDS 0120 covers the entire year and is recorded as the final grade for both semesters.
JUDS0130 Intermediate Hebrew - Ruth Adler Ben-Yehuda
Develops the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in contemporary Israeli Hebrew at the intermediate level and of reading Hebrew texts of the biblical, rabbinic, and modern periods (biblical stories, rabbinic legends, Modern Hebrew poems, stories, essays, and newspaper articles). Discussions and compositions focus on the psychological, cultural, political, and social issues reflected in the Hebrew sources that we study. Prerequisite: JUDS0120 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 20. If unable to enroll because of closed registration please contact the Professor and a waitlist will be created.
JUDS0150 Writing and Speaking Hebrew - Ruth Adler Ben-Yehuda
Enables students to improve their skills in speaking and writing Hebrew on a variety of topics. Features advanced work on language structure and active language practice in the classroom. Class discussions of Israeli current events draw on Israeli stories, poems, television programs, and films and on the Israeli press. Students also compose essays and stories in Hebrew. Prerequisites: JUDS 0140 or equivalent.
JUDS0170 Introduction to Biblical Hebrew - Jennifer Singletary
An intensive introduction to the fundamentals of biblical Hebrew grammar and vocabulary intended to prepare students to read biblical texts in the original language. For students with little or no prior knowledge of Hebrew.
JUDS0470 The Hebrew bible and the History of Ancient Israel - Saul Olyan
An introduction to the historical-critical study of the Hebrew bible and a reconstruction of the history of Israel to the end of the Persian period (332 B.C.E.). Topics include biblical source criticism; Israel's obsure origins; reconstruction of the settlement period; an imperial Israel under David and Solomon; institutions-law and authority, covenant, prophecy, temple cult and priesthood. All readings in translation. No prerequistites.
JUDS0610 American Jewish History - Maud Mandel
By the mid-20th century, the U.S.'s Jewish population was one of the world's largest and most important. In 1654, however, when 23 Jews landed in New Amsterdam, their position was far from assured. The history of American Jewish settlement is considered by exploring the interaction between the political, social, and cultural environment and successive waves of Jewish migrants.
JUDS0980 Seminars in Judaic Studies
juds0980D Good and Evil - Michael Gottsegen
This course explores changing conceptions of good and evil from antiquity to the present. After surveying the views of the Hebrew bible and of Ancient Greek Philosophy, we will consider Jewish and Christian interpretations from the medieval period. A survey of modern thinkers - including Kant, Nietzsche, and Freud will follow, before we turn to post-Holocaust thinkers Arendt, Jonas, and Levinas. Enrollment limited to 20.
JUDS0980O Zionism, Anti-Zionism and Post-Zionism: past, Present, Future - Sam lehman-Wilzig
Pending Approval. Introductory discussion of the Political Sovereignty concept in Jewish history, yearnings for return to the Land of Israel, 19th Century nationalism in Europe and its influence on proto-Zionism. The main section of the course will survey and analyze various forms of Zionism from late 19th century to the present era: political, cultural, religious, Socialist, Revisionist; anti-Zionism of early Reform Judaism, ultra-Orthodox Jews, and Israeli Arabs; evolving contrmporary types of post-Zionism within and outside of Israel. LILE. Enrollment limited to 50.
JUDS1400 The Archaeology of Palestine - Katharina Galor
Traces of prehistory of Palestine (modern Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan) from its beginnings in the Paleolithic to the end of the Byzantine period. Surveys history of archaeological research in this area, emphasizing significant excavations and their artifacts. Develops an understanding of the art, architecture, and modes of life of humankind from age to age, the changes introduced from one period to another, and causes and effects of those changes.
JUDS01980 Advanced Seminars in Judaic Studies
JUDS1980I Ethics, Love, and Justice: The Religious and Philosophical Thought of Emmanuel Levinas - Michael Gottsegen
Emmanuel Levinas is among the most important philosophers of the twentieth century. His central philosophical insight is that ethics is the foundation of philosophy and of human existence. In this course we shall explore Levinas' core insight, how he arrives at it, and its subtle, deep and wide-ranging implications for philosophy, ethics, politics, religion, and Judaism. Enrollment limited to 20.
FALL - JUDSXLIST - Courses of Interest to Concentrators in Judaic Studies
The following courses with listings in other departments may be taken for concentration credit. Please check the course list of the sponsoring department for the time and location of each class.
HISTORY
HIST1972F Muslims and Jews - Maud Mandel
This course considers interactions between Muslims and Jews in various historical settings from the early Islamic world, to Medieval Spain, to contemporary Europe and the Middle East. The goal is to move beyond simplistic histories of the interfaith utopia, Islamic persecution, and Zionist domination to consider the complexities of ethno-religious interaction in a variety of social, cultural, economic and political contexts. Enrollment limited to 20.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
POLS1820Y Politics in Israel - Alan Zuckerman
Examines fundamental themes in Israeli politics: democracy and the Jewish state; Zionism; ethnic conflict among Jews and between Jews and Arabs; the place of religion, foreign policy, and the prospects for peace and war. Prerequisites: POLS0200 or permission of the instructor.
SPRING 2009
JUDS0050 Freshman Seminars
JUDS0050C Jewish Messiahs from Jesus of nazareth to the Lubavitcher Rebbe - Ross Kraemer
What's a messiah? A messianic movement? What makes such movement Jewish? Why do they flourish at certain times and places? A consideration of three major instances of Jewish messianic figures and the movements around them: Jesus of Nazareth (1st Century C.E.), Shabbetai Zvi (17th Century), and Menachem Scheerson, the late Lubavitcher Rebbe (20th-21st Century). We'll combine primary sources with insights drawn from sociology, anthropology, and other disciplines. FYS. Enrollment limited to 20. Reserved for: First Year Students.
JS0120 Elementary Hebrew - Ruth Adler Ben Yehuda
This is the second half of a year long course, an introduction to the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in contemporary Israeli Hebrew. Students also read Hebrew texts adapted for their level of Hebrew based on biblical, rabbinic and modern Hebrew literature, which intoduces them to the approaches of Hebrew writers in various periods to a variety of cultural issues. Students must have taken JUDS0110 to receive credit for this course. The final grade for this course will become the final grade for JUDS0110. If JUDS0110 was taken for credit then this course must be taken for credit; if taken as an audit, this course must also be taken as an audit. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by both the academic department and the Committee on Academic Standing. Enrollment limited to 20. If unable to enroll because of closed registration please contact the Professor and a wait list will be created.
JUDS0140 Intermediate Hebrew - Ruth Adler Ben Yehuda
Develops the skills of reading, writing, and conversing in contemporary Israeli Hebrew at the intermediate level and of reading Hebrew texts of the biblical, rabbinic, and modern periods (biblical stories, rabbinic legends, Modern Hebrew poems, stories, essays, and newspaper articles). Discussions and compositions focus on the psychological, cultural, political, and social issues reflected in the Hebrew sources that we study. Prerequisite: JUDS0120 or equivalent. Enrollment limited to 20. If unable to enroll because of closed registration please contact the Professor and a waitlist will be created.
JUDS0180 Readings in Biblical Hebrew - Jennifer Singletary
An introduction to the reading of biblical texts in Hebrew. Readings of selected texts from narrative, law, and poetry in the Hebrew Bible, with a few texts in post-classical Hebrew (the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Mishnah) introduced late in the semester. Intended for students who have completed JUDS 0170; others should consult the instructor.
JUDS0980 Seminars in Judaic Studies
JUDS0980G Global Culture: Religion, Migration, and Diaspora - Marcy Brink-Danan
Through historical and ethnographic texts, music, images and film, this class provides students with a global perspective on Jewish society. Special attention will be given to the languages and literatures of the Sephardi and Mizrahi diasporas in places such as the Middle East, North Africa, France and the Americas. Issues raised include the representation of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews in academic and popular media, the politics of ethnicity in Israel and the relationship to Ashkenazi Jewish practices worldwide.
JUDS0980N Between Justice and Forgiveness - Michael Gottsegen
When great and griveous wrong has divided a community, how are the members of that community to achieve reconciliation? What balance should be struck between the imperative of doing justice and the ideal of forgiveness? In this course we will focus on these questions with reference to national, communal and religious responses to the Holocaust, American slavery and South African apartheid. Enrollment limited to 20.
JUDS0980Q Current Issues in Israel in Hebrew - Sam Lehman-Wilzig
Pending Approval. This course will use current events materials (Israeli newspapers, magazines, internet sites) for class discussion on important issues in Israeli society, culture, and politics, including: Can Israel be both Jewish and democratic? What is the appropriate socioeconomic policy for an immigrant society? What role should the army have? Should the political system be reformed? What should be Israel's relationship with Diaspora Jewry? The course will be conducted in Hebrew. Prerequisite: JUDS0150 or JUDS0300 or permission of instructor.
JUDS0980S Power and Powerlessness in Jewish History, Politics and Government -
Sam Lehman-Wilzig
Pending Approval. An exploration of how the Jewish political tradition from the Bible to the present has dealt with issues of power and powerlessness in the contexts of sovereign Jewish communal politics, as well as in the relationship to Gentile government authority.Topics include: the ideal political regime, the legitimacy of challenging the authority of God and that of the political sovereign; the idea of "Covenant"; militarism vs. pacifism; and activism vs. fatalism as a political strategy. Enrollment limited to 20.
JUDS1440 Ancient Synagogues, Churches, and Mosques in Palestine - Katharina Galor
Reviews the discoveries and related scholarship of ancient synagogues, churches, and mosques in ancient Palestine. Focuses on their architectural and decorational as well as their spiritual and religious characteristics, and examines how those institutions influenced each other throughout their history of development.
JUDS1980 Advanced Seminars in Judaic Studies
1980C Problems in Israelite Religion and Ancient Judaism - Saul Olyan
A series of topics in Israelite religion and ancient Judaism which are of current scholarly interest are explored in a seminar setting. Students are encouraged to read widely and pursue individual research interests. The course assumes a basic knowledge of biblical literature and scholarly criticism.
JUDS1980N Hannah Arendt and the Jewish Condition - Michael Gottsegen
We will consider Hannah Arendt's analysis of the "Jewish question" in modern European history as a reflection of the crisis of the modern nation state and how her political philosophy of human plurality would "overcome" this problem and the "crisis" of modernity, more generally. We will also consider her sustained engagement with Jewish modernity, the Holocaust and Zionism.
SPRING - JUDS XLIST - Courses of Interest to Concentrators in Judaic Studies
The following courses with listings in other departments may be taken for concentration credit. please check the course list of sponsoring department for the time and location of each class.
AMERICAN CIVILIZATION
AMCV1611H Religion and Society in the United States - L. Davidman
Offers a sociological perspective on theories of the relationship between religion and societies that will help us understand and analyze current religious practices and trends, both inside and outside of religious institutions. Students will conduct several observations in religious institutions and create religious rituals of their own.
HISTORY
HIST1000B The Shaping of the Classical World: Greeks, Jews, and Romans - Kenneth Sachs
Focuses on the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Jews, from 300 B.C.E. to 400 C.E. Covers primarily social, philosophical, and religious areas of contention and accommodation, ending with the late Antique, Christianity, and rabbinic Judaism. LL.