JWST Courses - Fall 2009

Hebrew Scriptures (JWST 10300-01)                        Rebecca Lesses

MWF 1:00 – 1:50 pm                                       

The Hebrew Bible (referred to by Christians as the Old Testament) is one of the foundational books of both western and world culture, and serves as the basis for Judaism and Christianity. In this course, we will read the books of the Bible critically as literature, as religious and moral text, and as a source of sociological knowledge. This course surveys the biblical literature, acquaints the students with critical methods for the study of the Bible, situates the Bible within the literature and culture of the ancient Near East, and discusses the religion of ancient Israel. We will deal with questions of history and archaeology, and with questions of meaning – what the biblical text meant to its ancient readers, and what meaning it has today. NOTE: Cross-listed with RLST-10300. Students may not receive credit for both JWST-10300 and RLST-10300.

Jewish Mysticism (JWST 33300-01)                           Rebecca Lesses

TR 1:10 – 2:25 pm                                                                            

This course traces the history of Jewish mysticism. After a brief overview of early Jewish mysticism from the biblical and rabbinic periods, we will concentrate on the medieval flowering of Kabbalah, and its further developments in the 16th century Kabbalah of Safed, Israel and 18th century Eastern European Hasidism. The emphasis will be on understanding both the theoretical and experiential aspects of Jewish mysticism, and on examining some of its key texts. NOTE: Cross-listed with RLST-33300. Students may not receive credit for both JWST-33300 and RLST-33300.

The Holocaust (POLT 23000-01)                                 Don Beachler

TR 4:00 – 5:15 pm

This course is an introductory survey of major issues related to the Holocaust. We will examine the role of anti-Semitism in Western Culture and the rise of the racial anti-Semitism that animated Nazi hatred of the Jews. Among the topics to be covered are: The rise of Hitler to power; the initial policies of persecution and dispossession of the Jews and Jewish responses to these policies; the evolution of Nazi policy from expulsion of the Jews to extermination; the role of Jewish community leadership in attempting to cope with a murderous onslaught by establishing Jews in vital industries; the cooperation of many German bureaucrats in the final solution; the relationship of the Holocaust to the Nazis’ overall racial views and their war of racial supremacy in eastern Europe; the ongoing controversy over whether more Jews could have been rescued by the nations opposing Hitler and his regime.

Elementary Hebrew I (HEBR 10100-01/02/03)      Michael Faber

MWF 9:00 am with a drill session on Thursday at 8:25 am or 4:00 pm

Beginning course. Practice in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing simple idiomatic Hebrew. Emphasis is placed on culture, participation, and self-expression. Open to students with no previous Hebrew, or by placement examination.

Klezmer Chamber Ensemble (MUEN 32100)        Peter Rothbart

Chamber ensemble devoted to learning and performance of Klezmer (secular Jewish) music. Proficiency on a musical instrument is expected. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Independent Study in Jewish Studies (JWST 49100-01)            Rebecca Lesses

Special research on an individual project arranged by a student with a particular faculty member. The project may include reading books and/or writing papers under the guidance of the faculty member, with a performance expectation of upper-level work. Offered on demand only. Variable credits (1-4).