Spring 2007 Courses

Classical Studies

CLAS 101—Modern Hebrew Literary Classics (3)
TR 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM Peleg

Prose and poetry of a century of writing from the beginning of the Hebrew literary renaissance to contemporary Israeli literature. Discussions stress historical development and authors’ treatments of tradition and modernity.

CLAS 105—Yiddish Literary Classics in Translation (3)
TR 02:20 PM - 03:35 PM, Ticktin

Reading and discussion of translated short stories, dramas, and poems from the Yiddish literary renaissance period (including works by Sholom Aleichem, I.L. Peretz, Isaac Bashevis Singer, Sholem Asch, Jacob Glatstein).  Writing will be presented in the historical and cultural contexts of earlier folktales and folk humor, life in the shetl and in Eastern European urban communities, the Holocaust, Jews in the Soviet Union and immigrant Jewish settings in America.

English

ENGL 188--Jewish-American Writing (3)
TR 011:10 PM - 12:25 PM Moskowitz

One hundred years of Jewish American writing in fiction, autobiography, poetry, drama, and non-fictional prose. The immigrant experience, American philosemitism and antisemitism, the Holocaust and after, the New York intellectuals, Jewish feminism, and the patriarchal tradition.

Hebrew

HEBR 002--Beginning Hebrew (4)
Section 10: MW 09:35 AM - 10:50 AM, F 09:35 AM - 10:25 AM Moses
Section 11: MW 11:10 AM - 12:25 PM, F 11:10 AM - 12:00 PM Moses
Section 12: TR  09:35 AM - 10:50 AM,  F 09:35 AM - 10:25 AM Staff

An active presentation of Hebrew as it is spoken and written today. Comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills are stressed.

HEBR 004--Intermediate Hebrew (4)
Section 10: TR 09:35 AM - 10:50 AM, F 09:35 AM - 10:25 AM Staff
Section 11: TR 11:10 AM - 12:25 PM, F 11:10 AM  - 12:00 PM Staff

Further development of skills in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension of modern Hebrew. Texts range from Israeli newspaper items to selections from classical materials. Prerequisite: HEBR 1-2, or equivalent.

HEBR 104--Modern Hebrew Fiction (3)
MW 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM Moses

Directed readings in humanities and social sciences. Development of linguistic skills necessary for independent research. Prerequisite: Hebr 4 or permission of instructor.

HEBR 106--The Israeli Media
TR 02:20 PM - 03:35 PM Peleg

Explores the Israeli press, television and radio news broadcasts in Hebrew; focuses on developing increasing proficiency in reading and aural comprehension through class discussions and written assignments in Hebrew. Prerequisite: Hebr 103 or permission of instructor.

HEBR 121--Advanced Hebrew Literature (3)
TR 04:45 PM - 06:00 PM Ticktin

Selections from Hebrew literature throughout the ages: Bible, Rabbinics, medieval, Hebrew literature; classical motifs in modern Israeli literature. Literary analysis (writing and discussion) in Hebrew.

History

HIST 101—The Six Day War and its Impact on Israeli-Arab Relations (3)

TR 09:35 AM - 10:50 AM Lassner

The Six Day War is considered a major watershed in the history of Arab-Israel relations.  The results of Israel's decisive military victory gave that nation strategic depth and a hitherto unknown sense of security and confidence in the future, leading to economic changes that altered the nature of Israeli society. Jewish settlers set root in the conquered territories further complicating relations between Jews & Arabs as well as any future settlement of the issues dividing both societies. Arabs went through a period of self searching that ultimately led to Islamic renewal and a heightened sense of Palestinian nationalism.

HIST 114—History of Jews in Islamic Lands (3)

TR 12:45 AM - 02:00 PM Lassner

The legal status of Jews under Islam; the impact of the Muslim conquest and Abbasid rule upon the Jewish community of Babylonia; the flourishing Jewish civilization in Muslim Spain; the nature of Mediterranean Jewish society in the High Middle Ages; Jewish life in Ottoman Turkey.

HIST 159--The Holocaust (3)
TR 09:35 AM - 10:50 PM Richter

Analyzes the origins, causes, and significance of the Nazi attempt to destroy European Jewry, within the context of European and Jewish history. Related themes: the behavior of persecutors, victims, and bystanders; and literary responses. Prior course in Jewish or European history recommended.

Religion

REL 009--The Hebrew Scriptures (3)
TR 4:45 PM - 6:00 PM Hostetter

The literature, history, and religious thought represented by the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).Continuities and contrasts between Israel and the ancient Near East are considered through study of the world view, oral and literary tradition, main religious ideas, and chief figures and movements of the biblical literature.
   
REL 103—Hebrew Prophets (3)
M 02:20 PM - 03:35 PM, W 03:35 PM - 05:00 PM Ticktin

This course deals with the development of prophecy in Biblical Israel from about 850 to 400 BCE. It will cover all of the “literary prophets” in the canon and modern criticism of prophecy stressing historical, theological, and literary dimensions. Attention will also be given to psychological and sociological studies.

REL 107--Rabbinic Thought and Literature (3)
TR 11:10 AM - 12:25 PM Eisen

An examination of the thought and literature of rabbinic Judaism in its formative period, 100-500 CE, through a close reading of primary texts in translation; the development of early rabbinic law and theology is explored in the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash.

REL 112—Jewish Mysticism (3)
TR 02:20 PM - 03:35 PM Eisen

A historical treatment of the major forms of Jewish Mysticism: the ecstatic schools of Merkavah mysticism, medieval German pietism, and Abraham Abulafia; the theosophic mysticism of medieval French and Spanish Kabbalah, Lurianic Kabbalah, and modern Hasidism; examination of major concepts, such as God, man, Israel, Torah, and redemption, as understood by these schools.

REL 118--Women in Judaism (3)
MW 12:45 PM - 02:00 PM Berner

An exploration of Jewish women's history and legal status; focus on feminist theological perspectives and Jewish women's spirituality as reflected in personal writings, ritual, liturgy, and midrash. The struggle between tradition and innovation, feminism in the “next wave” will be explored and several films will be viewed.