The list includes both courses directly offered through Jewish Studies, with the JWST prefix, and those offered through other departments which students minoring in Jewish Studies can take for credit towards the minor.
HEBR 102: Elementary Hebrew II
MWF 9:00-9:50 AM Friends 303
Mirit Hadar
ICC Theme: Identities. Perspective: Humanities.
Continuation of HEBR 10100: spoken and written Hebrew in everyday
use.
JWST/RLST 20300 Judaism
TR 1:10-2:25 Friends 205
Rebecca Lesses
ICC Themes: Identities; Mind, Body, Spirit; Perspective:
Humanities
An introduction to Judaism with a focus on theology, ethics, and
ritual practice. Readings include selected texts from the biblical,
rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods. Theological and ethical
issues include God, good and evil, covenant, death and afterlife,
justice, and social responsibility. The course examines how these
Jewish understandings are lived out through practices associated
with birth and death; marriage and commitment; sexuality; and the
life of study, prayer, and devotion. Cross-listed with RLST 20300.
Students may not receive credit for both RLST 20300 and JWST 20300.
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.
JWST 25000 Antisemitism: Contemporary and Historical
Perspectives
MW 4:00-5:15 Williams 210
Rebecca Lesses
ICC: Application for designation for Humanities perspective,
Identities theme, and Diversity course will be submitted.
The recent rise of antisemitism in the United States and other
countries has spurred renewed attention to what has been called
“the oldest hatred.” This course examines antisemitism
through both a contemporary and a historical lens, starting with
contemporary manifestations of antisemitism in the United States
and other countries. It explores the question of how to define
antisemitism, traces the history of antisemitism from antiquity to
the present, and returns to the present to confront the issue of
how to fight antisemitism.
JWST 27500 Israeli Culture through Film
TR 9:25-10:40 Friends 308
Mirit Hadar
ICC: Humanities; Identities, Power and Justice
This course explores the history, culture and art of Israeli
society through film. It is divided into two sections: the first
part deals with Israeli history through contemporary Israeli film,
the second part deals with cultural and social aspects of the
Israeli people as shown in Israeli movies. Artistic aspects will be
woven into the course discussions to enhance the subjects’
understanding and for better analysis of cinema. Students will
become acquainted with some of the major issues that have shaped
Israeli society, including religious tensions between different
kinds of Jews, relations between Jewish and Arab Israelis,
immigration, war, and terrorism. The course will demonstrate that
film can serve as an artistic and historical medium that reflects
and comments on the history, politics, and culture of Israel.
JWST/RLST 32300 Gender and Sexuality in
Judaism
TR 2:35-3:50 Friends 205
Rebecca Lesses
ICC Designation: Diversity
Is God male or female? Can women become rabbis? Are there gay and
lesbian Jews? What do Jews think about birth control and abortion?
Why are husband and wife supposed to avoid sexual relations during
the woman’s menstrual period? Why do boys have to be
circumcised on the eighth day? This course explores what it means
to be a Jewish man or woman, and looks at how Jewish gender roles
have changed throughout history, as well as how contemporary Jews
deal with changes in women’s roles and demands for gender
equality. We will begin with a short introduction to Judaism and
then discuss specific issues in greater depth: what is
“gender” and how to study it; traditional roles of men
and women in Judaism; the gendered Jewish body; family and
sexuality; homosexuality; Jewish feminism; the gender of God; and
changing women’s religious roles. Please note: This course is
cross-listed with RLST-32300. Students may not receive credit for
both RLST 32300 and JWST 32300.
JWST 42000 Internship: Jewish Studies
Rebecca Lesses
On-site work experience, combined with academic study, in agencies or educational institutions with significant Jewish content, such as Jewish schools or community agencies or multicultural groups. Arranged individually at the student's request with the individual instructor, a sponsoring agency, and permission of the Jewish studies coordinator. Prerequisites: Permission of instructor. 1-12 credits. (IRR)
