The following list includes courses offered by faculty associated with the Center for Judaic Studies as well as other courses of interest to Judaic Studies students. We try to make this list as accurate as possible, but if there are questions about offerings or times, you should check with the department in which the course is listed for the latest information.
101. Biblical Hebrew I. (3).
The purpose of this and the complementary course, 102 Elementary Biblical Hebrew II (Winter Term), is to equip the beginning student with the tools necessary for reading the Hebrew Bible. The course will introduce students to the grammar of biblical Hebrew; its phonology (the study of speech sounds), morphology (the study of word formation), and syntax (the study of phrase and sentence formation). In addition to mastering the grammar, students will need to acquire a sizable working vocabulary of the language, for competency in grammar and lexicon best facilitates the goal of reading the biblical text. The grading will be based on corrected daily assignments (i.e., the exercises), 13-14 announced quizzes (one class day advance notice), a final comprehensive exam, as well as attendance and participation. The daily assignments will comprise 25% of the grade, the ten-best quizzes 25%, the final exam 25%, and attendance and participation 25%. (Crowell) MWF 9:00-10:00 a.m., 3512 FB
200/AAPTIS 200/HJCS 200/ Rel. 201/. Section 001. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (4).
This course serves two main functions: the first of these is to provide an introductory sense of what is involved in the academic study of religion; the second, which will occupy almost the whole term, is to introduce the major religious traditions of the Near East, with emphasis on the development and major structures of Israelite Religion, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The course will keep two foci in view: one will have to do with the historical development of these religious traditions, their sacred texts and major personalities; the second will involve a comparative view of these traditions by analyzing their sense of the sacred in space, time, and text, their views on holy people. This is an introductory course; it is not necessary for students to have any previous experience in the study of religion. The course consists of three weekly lectures and a discussion group. Writing for the course typically involves an essay, a midterm, and a final exam. Cost: 3 (Knysh, Schramm, Williams) MWF 2:00-3:00 p.m., MLB AUD 3
201. Section 001. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, I. (3)
This course is an introduction to the literature of the Hebrew Bible. Texts representing different literary genres, and dating from different periods, will be read in the original. Students will be introduced to the history of the text of the Hebrew Bible and the problems of its translation and interpretation. Special emphasis will be placed on refining the student's knowledge of Biblical Hebrew through the study of Hebrew syntax. Required books are (1) a copy of the Biblical Hebraica, and (2) a proper dictionary of classical Hebrew. Prerequisite: ACABS 102. Cost: 2 (Schmidt) TTH 2:30-4:00 p.m., 3205 MLB
483. Section 001. Aramaic I. (3).
This course is an introduction to Imperial Aramaic through the reading of the Aramaic portions of the biblical books of Ezra and Daniel. Students will acquire a solid foundation upon which to build a further knowledge of other forms of Aramaic, such as Targumic and Syriac. Books required are (1) a copy of the Biblica Hebraica, and (2) a dictionary of Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic. Prerequisite: ACABS 102. (Krahmalkov)
430. Section 002. Comparative Studies in Fiction. The Arab-Israeli Conflict in Middle Eastern Literature. Meets with Arabic, Armenian, Persian, Turkish, and Islamic Studies 383.001. (3)
In this course, we examine the Arab-Israeli conflict as it is portrayed in both Arabic and Hebrew/Israeli literary traditions: poetry, short stories, novels, novellas, literary essays, and personal accounts - and film, looking at how adversaries portray each other, how mutual stereotypes are created and reinforced, or broken down as the case may be, and how the conflict has shaped the development of these respective literary and filmic traditions in substantially different ways. Complementing courses which examine the Arab-Israeli conflict from political and historical approaches, this course offers the unique perspective of examining it through the literature produced by parties to the conflict. Readings will include works of Kanafani, Habiby, Khalifeh, Shammas, Yehoshua, Grossman, Oz, etc., as well as a selection of Palestinian and Israeli films pertaining to the conflict. Prerequisite: Upperclass standing. May be repeated for a total of nine credits. Cost: 2 (Bardenstein) MW 1:00-2:30 p.m., 3504 FB
200/AAPTIS 200/ACABS 200/ Rel. 201. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (See ACABS 200.)
270. Section 001./Judaic St. 270. Introduction to Rabbinic Literature. (3)
Rabbinic Literature, commonly referred to as "oral law," was the basis of Jewish culture for almost 2,000 years, and a basic knowledge of it is a prerequisite for any study of Jewish life and/or literature until modern times. This course will examine the concept of oral law and focus on the written sources of the "oral law," from the time of the Second Temple until the 11th century, emphasizing the way these texts relate to their predecessors and have influenced their successors. The course will also describe the essence of both halakha (law) and aggadah (legend). (Herr) TTH 2:30-4:00 p.m., 3520 FB
379. Section 001./Judaic Studies 379. Jewish Civilization. (4).
Lectures on topics in Jewish Intellectual History, with class discussion based on selected assignments. Some of the topicsare: Monotheism, Law, Messianism, Mysticism, Language and Literature, Sabbath and the Festivals, Sacrifice and Prayer. Students are evaluated on the basis of two exams. Students must elect lecture and one discussion section. In Section 001, discussion sections will not meet before the first lecture. Cost: 2 (Schramm) MWF 11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
401. Section 001. Hebrew of the Communications Media, I. (3)
The social genre of the communications media (newspaper and television) serves as the basis for discussion of current events, readings, and writing tasks. Unedited newspaper selections and television news broadcasts provide the basis for classroom activities. Special projects, in the form of debates and individual presentations, constitute an important part of the course activities, and are designed to enhance speech and communication. The final grade is based on class activities, students' presentations, written assignments, and two examinations: midterm and final. Class discussions and activities are exclusively in Hebrew. (Coffin) TTH 11:30-1:00 p.m., 3512 FB
491. Section 001. Topics in Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies - Mishna Tractate Kiddushin. (3)
In this introduction to laws of marriage and family, participants will be reading and discussing parts of the Mishna and Tosefta, tractate Kiddushin, with emphasis on comparisons with other Jewish legal systems (e.g., Qumran), as well as non-Jewish ancient legal systems. May be repeated for a total of six credits. (Herr) TTH 4:00-5:30 p.m., 3004 FB
571. Section 001. Israeli Literature, I - Dreams and Visions. (3)
This course is run on a seminar basis and is based on a selection of contemporary Israeli works of fiction, films, plays, and selections of poetry. Emphasis is on readings, discussion, and analyses. The theme for exploration for the 1999 Fall Term is Dreams and Visions. Among the readings included will be works of fiction of S.Y. Agnon, A.B. Yehoshua, Amos Oz, Hanoch Levin, Yehuda Amichai, Natan Zach, and others. Grades will be based on students' written and oral assignments and a final project. Class discussion and activities are exclusively in Hebrew. An advanced knowledge of Hebrew is required. Prerequisite: HJCS 302. May be repeated for a total of six credits. (Coffin) TTH 2:30-4:00 p.m., 2010 MLB
196. Section 001. First-Year Seminar: History of Jewish Women from Talmud to Tekhines (3)
In this first-year history seminar you will be introduced to fundamental historical questions such as the relationship between law and social reality and the interplay of class and gender. You will do this while developing skills in reading primary (prescriptive and descriptive) sources, studying the history of Jewish women in pre-modern Christian and Muslim contexts (mainly North Africa, Spain, Italy and western Europe). Specific topics we may examine include: marriage, dowry, and inheritance; divorce, the 'agunah; widowhood; marital and extra-marital sexuality; concubinage, child marriage, slavery, and polygyny. We will also step outside of social history to examine the image of women in rabbinic texts written by men, the roles assigned to women in some aspects of rabbinic culture and the qabbalah, and the history of Jewish women's piety (including kashrut) and prayer in different Jewish sub-cultures. Grades will be based on active participation in the seminar and from a series of short papers and oral reports. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. Cost: 2 (Siegmund). TTH 11:30-1p.m., 2446 MH
381. History of the Jews from the Moslem Conquests to the Spanish Expulsion. (3).
This course will survey major historic developments in medieval Jewish society under both Islam and western Christendom. Broadly, the course will look at the divergence of Judaism and Christianity, the rise of the Babylonian geonim, the social and cultural history of Jews in the Arab Mediterranean world, the emergence of Jewish communities in Medieval Ashkenaz, and the impact on Jewish society of the Crusades, the Reconquista, the emergence of the mendicant orders, and the Black Death. The course will examine the interaction of Jews with the majority culture, political structure, and economy, as well as changing cultural trends within Jewish society. The distinctive religious climate of the medieval period will serve as a unifying theme throughout. We will study primary sources as well as recent historical scholarship, and our focus will include the history of women as well as that of men. Class is conducted as lecture and discussion of texts with an occasional film or slide lecture. Requirements for the course: several short written and oral assignments, tests, and final examination. Prerequisites: History 110/111 or 307/ACABS 322/Religion 359 is highly recommended background; History concentrators and students who are interested in Jewish history or Judaism, in Christianity and/or in Islam are particularly welcome. Cost: 2 (Siegmund) MW 11:30-1:00 p.m., 3410 MH
383. Section 001. Modern Jewish History to 1880. (3)
This course surveys Jewish history in Europe, America, and the Middle East from the mid-seventeenth century to the 1870s. It begins with the emergence of West European Jews from cultural and social isolation, discusses their political emancipation, and traces their efforts to modernize Jewish ritual and belief. The focus then shifts to Eastern Europe, where the world of tradition persisted much longer. The lectures on Eastern Europe will focus on the religious and social character of Jewish life in Poland and Russia, the development of Hasidism, and the first glimmerings of enlightenment in the mid-nineteenth century. The course will conclude with a look at the Jewish communities of North Africa and the Middle East. There will be an essay-type midterm, a 10-12 page paper, and a comprehensive final. Cost: 3 (Endelman)MWF 2:00-3:00 p.m., AH AUD A
396. Section 001. History Colloquium: Jewish Responses to Antisemitism, 1870-1933. (4)
Prerequisites: History concentrators are required to elect Hist. 396 or 397. Only 12 credits of History 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, and 399 may be counted toward a concentration plan in history. May be repeated for a total of twelve credits. (Endelman)M 4:00-6:00 p.m., 3417 MH
101. Section 001. Elementary Yiddish. (3)
This is the first of a two-term sequence designed to develop basic skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Yiddish. Active class participation is required as are periodic quizzes, exams, a midterm, and a final. (Nysenholc)MWF 10:00-11:00 a.m., 3016 FB
201. Section 001. Intermediate Yiddish. (3)
This is the third term of a language sequence in Yiddish. The course is designed to develop fluency in oral and written comprehension, and to offer a further understanding of the culture within which Yiddish has developed. Special emphasis will be devoted to reading material. Course grade will be based on exams, quizzes, written work, and oral class participation. Prerequisite: Yiddish 102. (Nysenholc) MWF 9:00-10:00 a.m., 3529 FB
270/HJCS 270. Introduction to Rabbinic Literature. (3) (See HJCS 270.)
379/HJCS 379. Jewish Civilization. (See HJCS 379.)
334./Religion 380. Section 001. Philosophy of Jewish Ethics (3)
The course aims at developing a framework to give students an understanding of the role played by ethics in the Jewish tradition, in particular the relation between ethics and Jewish law. Such a framework will include components taken from moral philosophy, the philosophy of religion, the philosophy of law and hermeneutics. The course will open by presenting the well-known Euthyphro Dilemma - does God love x because x is good, or is x good because God loves it? - and will then proceed to a critical discussion of divine command theories of morality. The idea that religion overrides morality, as expressed, for example, by Kierkegaard, will then be introduced and discussed. After completing the general philosophical introduction, various Jewish sources will be presented to illustrate the role played by morality in shaping Jewish law (halakha). Finally, a hermeneutic model for justifying this role will be suggested. (Statman) TTh 1:00-2:30 p.m.
201/ACABS 200/AAPTIS 200/HJCS 200. Introduction to World Religions: Near Eastern. (See ACABS 200.)
380. Section 001./Philosophy 334. Jewish Ethics (3) (See Philosophy 334)
600. Contemporary Issues in the American Jewish Community (3)
Students identify critical issues facing the American Jewish community at the national and local levels, aided by resource people from local and national agencies. The Jewish community's experience serves as a case-study for understanding the dynamics of inter-group relations, ethnically-based self-help and the challenges to leadership facing other racial, ethnic and sectarian communities in the U.S. Any School of Social Work graduate student or LS&A senior can enroll. (Lauffer)Th 2:00-:00p.m.
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