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Course Descriptions
JS 110. Elements of Hebrew (3)
The four-semester sequence begins with the basics of conversation, reading, and writing with practice. This beginning course covers the following grammatical topics: pronouns, prepositions, basic verbs, days of the week and numbers one to 1,000. The intermediate level teaches a more advanced level of conversation, reading, and writing, and grammatical usage. Students will progress in the active use of the spoken and written language, including the reading of a Hebrew newspaper. The course sequence is designed to make it possible for students to attain a high intermediate level in oral, aural, and written Hebrew at the completion of the program. A minimum grade of C- must be attained to advance from one course to the next.
Fall semester. Schwartz.
JS 120. Elements of Hebrew II (3)
A continuation of previous elementary work with abundant oral and aural practice. The intermediate level teaches a more advanced level of conversation, reading, writing, and grammatical usage. Students will progress in the active use of the spoken and written language, including the reading of a Hebrew newspaper. Prerequisite: Hebrew 110 with a minimum grade of C- or permission of the instructor.
Spring semester. Schwartz
JS 130. Elements of Hebrew III (3)
A continuation of previous work. This course sequence is designed to make it possible for students to attain a high-intermediate level in oral, aural, and written Hebrew at the completion of this course.
Fall semester. Schwartz.
JS 133 Intermediate Hebrew (3) (Foreign language)
Language review of the fundamentals of grammar. Graded reading in modern Hebrew literature. Vocabulary building and active use of the language.
Spring semester. Schwartz
JS 200. Jewish Mysticism: Philosophy and Kabbalah (3) (RLG 244)
A comprehensive study in Jewish thought, from the time of the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash to the emergence of the religious and secular Jewish thinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries. The course will present historical and conceptual developments of Jewish thought through a study of the works of the prominent Jewish philosophers, mystics, and ethical writers who shaped the major beliefs of Judaism. An exploration of the basic philosophical methods and terminology that are used in the literary research of the his tory of ideas will be included in the survey. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Shokek.
JS 213. History of Jews and Christians in the Roman Empire (3) (HIS 213, RLG 213)
The diverse world of Roman-occupied Israel eventually gave rise to two new religions that would shape the lives of millions for centuries: Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity. This course studies that historical process; the complex interactions among Jews, Christians, and the broader Greco-Roman world; and the social and political consequences of the new religions. Includes careful reading and discussion of primary sources having highly contested meanings. Prerequisite: Sophmore standing.
Variable semesters. Gruber.
JS 220. Israel in the Ancient Near East (3)
The major literary product of Israelite civilization, the Bible, is the primary vehicle for the understanding of this civilization. Critical examination of the Bible and its literature should, therefore, induce a more informed knowledge of literary form, style and function in ancient Israel; an intelligent understanding of Israel’s culture and history during the first millennium BCE; and insight into Israel’s religious ideas, institutions, and theology which informs this great literature. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Fall semester. Gittlen.
JS 233. Contemporary Jewish Literature (3)
This course will provide students with an opportunity to read a wide variety of literary material by European Jewish writers from the turn of the century to the present day. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
Variable semesters. Hart.
JS 235. A Survey of Modern Hebrew Literature (3)
Modern Hebrew literature reflects the distinctive heritage and the turbulent recent history of the Jews, so it is markedly different from the modern American literature which we know. This course, taught in English, supplies the background needed to make Hebrew literature accessible in translation. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Variable semesters. Lesley.
JS 240. The Israeli Media (3)
This course will be conducted in Hebrew and will include an analysis of Isreali media as a reflection of historic goals and cultural values in the society. Prerequisite: JS 133.
Fall semester. Shwartz.
JS 241. Israeli Film and TV (3)
An advanced Hebrew culture course that focuses on various aspects of Israeli society as they are portrayed in Israeli films and TV. This course is conducted in Hebrew. Prerequisite: placement test in Hebrew.
Spring 2007.
JS 245. The Holocaust (RLG 245) (3)
The socioeconomic, political, and theological roots of the Holocaust in Western European thought and culture. Analysis of foreign reaction to German persecution of the Jews, early and late. The gathering stages of the Holocaust, from programmed euthanasia to death camp. The meaning of the Holocaust in Western religion and culture. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
Variable semesters. Department.
JS 246 History, Literature and Film on the Holocaust (3) (HIS 229) (GER 260) (GEN. ED. #9)
Beginning with the historical factors that led to the Holocaust, this course further focuses on the analysis of literary works (memoirs, diaries, poems, fiction, etc.) and films (documentaries and features) on the Holocaust within the historical context of World War II. Readings and discussions in English (films with English subtitles).
Spring semester. Larkey.
JS 247. Issues in Contemporary Jewish Thought: Whither the 21st
Century (3) (RLG 247)
What it means to be Jewish and how to live a Jewish life have always led to questions about God, about the Torah, and about the Jewish people—and often in reaction to what is happening in the non-Jewish world. This course examines these questions from the writings of Ahad Ha-Am, Herman Cohen, Leo Baeck, Franz Rosenweig, Abraham Isaac Kuk, Martin Buber, Abraham J. Heschel, Emil Fackenheim, Joseph Soloveitchik, Rachel Adler (Jewish feminist), and Emmanuel Levinas. Our goal is to see if we can detect a glimpse of the Jewish future. This course is sponsored in part by the Jewish Chautauqua Society. Prerequisite: One course in philosophy or religion or sophomore standing.
Variable semesters. Department.
JS 252. The Jews in Medieval and Modern Times (3) (HIS 252)
This course begins with a study of the structure of Jewish society and the relationships of the Jews to Christian society and the Islamic world during the middle ages. Topics include: The Church and the Jews, the State authorities and the Jews, the autonomous Jewish community, and the messianic movements. The second half of the course traces the breakdown of the medieval structure of Jewish life in the modern period. Topics include the impact of enlightenment and emancipation, religious reform, modern antisemitism, Zionism, the Holocaust, and the rise of the State of Israel. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Berlin.
JS 253. The Rise of American Jewry (3)
The history of the Jews in the United States from the earliest settlements to the present. The course will focus on political, economic, religious, and cultural developments, antisemitism, and the rise of American Jewry to a position of leadership and responsibility in the world Jewish community. Special emphasis will be placed on comparing and contrasting the American Jewish historical experience with prior Jewish historical experiences in Europe. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Berlin.
JS 255. The Dynamics of Israeli Politics (3)
An analysis of the institutions and processes of Israel’s government with particular emphasis on party structure, the role of religion, the position of Israeli Arabs, socioeconomic problems and ethnic cleavages, and Israeli security concerns. The course will also include a brief analysis of the development of Zionism and the Jewish community in Palestine under the British Mandate. A special analysis will be made of the 1992 elections as they reflect Israel’s domestic and foreign problems, and its future direction, as well as of the ongoing Arab-Israeli peace process. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Freedman.
JS 257. The Jews of Russia under Tsars, Soviets and in the Post-Soviet Era (3) (HIS 254)
A study of the development of the Jewish community in Russia from the time of Catherine the Great (1772) to the present day. Emphasis will be placed on the political history of the Jewish community and its reaction to the changing policies of Tsarist, Soviet, and post-Soviet governments. Special attention will be placed on the role of Jews in Russia’s revolutionary movements, Soviet Jewry as a factor in Soviet-American relations, the Soviet-Jewish emigration movement, and the position of the Jews in the successor states of the Soviet Union, following the Russian parliamentary elections of December 1995. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Freedman.
JS 258. The International Politics of the Middle East (3) (PSC 258)
Examination of regional and international issues in the Middle East. Topics include the Arab-Israeli conflict, inter-Arab rivalries, instability in the Persian Gulf, and the crisis in Lebanon. Prerequisite: PSC 100 or sophomore standing.
Spring semester. Honick. Offered 2009-10 and alternate years.
JS 259. Oral Histories of Holocaust Survivors- Telling Their Stories (3) (GER 259/HIS 237) (GEN. ED. #4 AND #10)
A community-based learning experience in which students interview Holocaust survivors and retell their stories to help these stories live on. Training in interviewing techniques and storytelling will be provided. Students will be expected to interview survivors, videotape sessions, and then present the oral histories inside and outside of class. Prerequisites: GER 260/HIS 229/JS 246 or JS 245.
Fall semester. Larkey.
JS 264. Jewish Law and Ethics (3)
Issues of ethical and legal concern as understood by traditional Jewish legal and ethical sources and by contemporary Jewish thinkers. The basic structure and methodology of Jewish law will be introduced in the first few lectures, and understanding of the system will be refined as the different issues to be discussed are presented.
Spring semester. Freundel.
JS 299. Independent Work (14)
Students will work with a professor to design a research project on a topic of their choosing.
JS 399. Advanced Independent Work (1.5-4)