JWS 301/COM 304
Seminar 1.0
1:30-2:50 Tu Th
110 Jones Hall

Topics in Jewish Studies: The Art of Jewish Story Telling from the Bible to the Modern Period
What do we mean when we speak of Jewish literature? Is it a distinctive category and, if so, what are the criteria we use to identify it? Authorship? Style? Content? Genre? Language? Audience? This seminar will explore these long-standing questions through the pleasures of reading and analyzing a rich selection of short narratives ranging from Biblical, Rabbinic, and medieval sources to modern writers, whose work spans the Hebrew, Yiddish, European and Anglo-American traditions. All students are welcome.
Professor: James Diamond

 

AMS 331/JWS 331
Seminar 1.0
1:30-4:20 Th
McCosh Hall 41

The Exhibition in Modern and Postmodern Culture
Putting culture on display in museums and halls of exposition is one of the most powerful phenomena of modern and postmodern life. Focusing mainly (but not exclusively) on aspects of Jewish experience and its representations over the past 100 years, this seminar aims to illustrate and analyze landmark shows drawn from fields as diverse as art and archaeology, health, fashion, history, religion, and race relations in order to explore the medium's capacity for disseminating knowledge, promoting tolerance (or its opposite), and generally shaping (or reflecting) public opinion and taste. Some examples of these shows include the World's Parliament of Religions (1893), the International Hygiene Exposition (1912), The Tomb of King Tutankhamun(1923), Degenerate Art (1937), Harlem on My Mind (1973), Becoming American Women (1994), Painting a Place in America (1991), and Bridges and Boundaries (1992). Field trips and individual presentations.
Professor: Jenna Weissman Joselit

 

HIS 458/JWS 458
Seminar 1.0
7:00-9:50PM Tu
Dickinson Hall 230

HIS 458/JWS 458: Zionism and Jewish Nationalism
Using a variety of primary sources, we will examine the historical development of modern Jewish nationalism, both as a cultural and a political revolution. In our attempt to evaluate the impact of nationalism on the inner life of a diaspora community, we will address a series of contemporary issues, including the relationship between religious values and national identity, the role of ideology in the invention of national traditions, and the cultural uses of power.
Professor: Olga Litvak

 

GER 310/JWS 310
Seminar 1.0
1:30-2:50 M W
East Pyne 239

Berlin Metropolis: Jews and Modernity 1890-1918
At the turn of the last century, Berlin became one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Poised between a fin-de-siècle mood and extravagant aspirations for the future, the city was home to an already vibrant German-Jewish culture that attracted artists, intellectuals, and political thinkers into its orbit. Here new fields of knowledge such as sociology and cultural theory jostled with the political ferment of anarchist and socialist ideas, and Zionist dreams clashed with strategies of acculturation. The demands of a non-traditional life-style shifted the centers of cultural and intellectual energy from state-sponsored institutions (universities, art academies, public theaters) to private art exhibits and off-beat theaters, salons, cafes, cabarets, and Bohemian experiments. This course will focus on literary and theoretical texts as well as on examples of painting, architecture, and theatrical performance. It is designed to coincide with a major exhibition (of the same name) to open at the Jewish Museum in NY in the fall (field trip). A rare opportunity to put classroom knowledge to immediate use and enhancement.
Professor: Barbara Hahn

 

REL 230/JWS 230
Lecture 1.0
12:00-12:50 T Th
Precept 1.0 TBA
McCosh Hall 04

Religion and Literature of the Old Testament: Through the Babylonian Exile
An opportunity to read a wide range of the literature of the anthology known as the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. Emphasis on the development of biblical religion against its historical background, including the wider context of the ancient Near East. This semester will cover the period up to and including the Babylonian exile: the formation of the traditions of the books of the Torah, league and monarchy, and prophecy up to the return.
Professor: Martha Himmelfarb

 

REL 343
Lecture 1.0
2:30-3:20 M W
Precept 1.0 TBA
McCosh Hall 64

Jews, Gentiles, and Christians in the Ancient World
This course is about conflict, separation, prejudice and hatred both ancient and modern. The peculiar dynamics will lead us in the direction of examining the ironic and dramatic relationship between proximity and protest. The general tone of the story will be somewhat depressing. We will look behind the beliefs, doctrines and documents to the human aspect of relations between Jews and Christians.
Professor: John Gager

 

NES 220/HIS 220
Class 1.0
1:30-2:50 M W
Dickinson Hall G01

Jews, Muslims, and Christians in the Middle Ages
This course is an introduction to the history and culture of the Jews in the Middle Ages (under Islam and Christendom) covering, comparatively, such topics as the inter-relationship between Judaism and the other two religions, interreligious polemics, political (legal) status, economic role, communal self-government, family life and cultural developments.
Professor: Mark Cohen

 

HEB 101
Class 1.0
12:00-12:50 M W F
Drill 1.0
12:00-12:50 Tu Th
Dillon Court East E03

Elementary Hebrew
To develop the skills of reading, speaking, comprehending and writing. The main emphasis is on acquiring communicative proficiency and therefore, Hebrew is progressively employed as the classroom language. A solid grammatical basis and awareness of the idiomatic usage of the language will be emphasized. Classroom activities include conversation, grammar exercises and reading. Towards the middle of the semester, an Israeli movie is shown, discussed and critized through a written assignment.
Professor: Edna Bryn-Noiman

 

HEB 105
Class 1.0
10:00- 10:50 M W F
Drill 1.0
10:00-10:50 Tu Th
Dillon Court West W16

Intermediate Hebrew
Reinforcement and expansion of reading, oral, aural, and writing skills through maximum student participation, exclusive use of Hebrew in the classroom, and coverage of remainder of basic grammar. Readings of graded selections from prose, poetry, and newspapers, and viewing and discussion of Israeli films and television programs open a window on Israel and its culture.
Professor: Edna Bryn-Noiman

 

HEB 301
Class 1.0
1:30-2:50 Tu Th
Dillon Court West W16

Advanced Hebrew: Aspects of Israeli Culture
This course develops an advanced, active command of the written and spoken language through reading and discussion of newspapers, short stories and poetry. Focus on aspects of contemporary Israeli and Jewish cultures.
Professor: Edna Bryn-Noiman