JS 320: History of Antisemitism
Antisemitism is a term fraught with paradoxes: although it describes the “oldest hatred,” it was coined by a Jew-hater; although used to measure Jewish safety, some argue it “weaponizes” criticism of Israel; although identified with unique ethno-religious discrimination, it is also perceived as a specific name for the universal phenomenon of intergroup prejudice. This course examines the ambiguities of the concepts of antisemitism and the history of its manifestations, from antiquity to its contemporary incarnations.
JS 170: Visual Culture in Israel and Palestine
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the visual culture of Israel and Palestine, a place marked by its diverse cultural influences, historical conflicts, and multifaceted identity. Through the examination of various visual media from the artistic and commercial spheres—including film, photography, street art, and ads—the course seeks to understand how history, conflict, and identity are both represented and constructed through visual forms.
HEBR 102: Elementary Hebrew II
Fundamentals of the spoken and written modern language. Development of listening and speaking skills and of facility in reading and writing standard, unvowelled texts. Introduction to the culture of Israel.
HEBR 112: Intermediate Hebrew II
Review and expansion of the basic grammar, vocabulary, and idioms. Development of skills of self-expression and conversation. Readings in short stories and in newspaper and magazine articles, and monitoring of television broadcasts in the language laboratory to gain a deeper understanding of Israeli culture.
JS/REES 110: The Holocaust
The Holocaust was arguably the most pernicious Jewish catastrophe; it continues to challenge our understanding of historical processes, our systems of values, and our notions of culture. What ideology facilitated it? Was it directed exclusively at Jews? Who were its first victims? Who was responsible for it — Hitler, Germans, and/or other accomplices? In this course, we will discuss these and other questions by studying primary and secondary sources according to a panoramic approach known as “integrated history.”
REL 213: Judaism: Faith, Communities, Identity
An introduction to the religion, history, and literature of the Jewish people. Among the areas covered are: the biblical heritage; the development of rabbinic Judaism; ritual and practice; medieval philosophy and practice, and the reactions of Jews to modernity, such as political emancipation, immigration to America, the Holocaust, the state of Israel, and issues of gender.
Other Courses Offered by the Jewish Studies Program