JWS 301/WOM 309
Seminar 1.0
1:30-4:20 Th

Topics in Jewish Studies: Gender, Sexuality, and the Body in Judaism: From Biblical Israel to Contemporary America
An exploration of distinctive Jewish approaches to the questions of gender, sexuality, and the body, as formulated in their historical, religious, legal, ethical, and imaginative dimensions. Emphasis on received traditions (Bible, Talmud, Kabbalah) and contemporary transformation in Jewish renewal through current activist movements. Topics include the 'body of God,' circumcision, laws of purity, rites of passage, the synagogue, feminist theology, and masculine and feminine stereotypes. Primary and secondary readings, and contemporary films. . All students are welcome. Professor: Froma Zeitlin.

 

JWS 379/HIS 379
Class 1.0
11:00-12:20 M W

The Transformation of Exile: American Jewish History, 1492-Present
This course examines the ways in which the American-Jewish experience challenges the conception of exile in Jewish history. Focusing on the development of Jewish society and Jewish culture in the United States from the colonial period until the present day, we will analyze different attempts to come to terms with the idea that Jews are at home in America. Readings will consist of a variety of primary sources, including communal records, memoirs, works of fiction, and religious thought.
Professor: Olga Litvak.

 

REL 230/JWS 230
Lecture 1.0
2:30-3:20 T Th

Precept 1.0 TBA

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 242/JWS 242
Lecture 1.0
1:30-2:20 M W

Precept 1.0 TBA

Jewish Thought and Modern Society
What is Judaism's and the individual Jew's relation to the modern world? Is Judaism a religion, a nationality, an ethnicity, or a combination of these? This course explores various answers to these questions by examining various historical and cultural formations of Jewish identity in Europe, America, and Israel from the eighteenth century to the present, as well as by engaging particular issues, such as Judaism's relation to technology, the environment, bioethics, feminism, and democracy.
Professor: Leora Batnitzky.
Rated COOL by the Student Course Guide.

 

REL 244/JWS 244
Class 1.0
11:00-12:20 T Th

Introduction to Rabbinic Judaism
This course introduces students to the world of the talmudic rabbis, who created the classical and normative literature of Judaism. We will deal with the historical background of Rabbinic Judaism, the concept of the written and oral Torah, and rabbinic literature proper (Midrash, Mishna, Talmud, etc.) as well as with some of the major rabbinic concepts (God, creation, election of Israel, repentance, redemption). The course will focus on the analysis and discussion of primary sources.
Professor: Peter Schäfer.

 

REL 351/JWS 351
Seminar 1.0
1:30-4:20 Th

The Golem: The Creation of an Artificial Man
The creation of an artificial human being has been an age-old dream of humankind. Among its ramifications are the robot, the computer, and the clone. This seminar will follow the Golem tradition within Judaism throughout history up to its modern offshoots. It will deal with its origins in the Hebrew Bible, its manifestations in mysticism and magic (e.g. the Golem of Prague), in literature, in film and on stage, in art, in children's books, and the history of science (computer, internet, clone).
Professor: Peter Schäfer.

 

HEB 101
Class 1.0
11:00-11:50 M W F

Drill D01
11:00-11:50 TTh

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 criticized 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 T Th

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
11:00-12:20 T Th

Advanced Hebrew
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: Barbara Mann