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Classes / Fall 2014

             

THE FOLLOWING IS A LISTING OF THE OFFERINGS IN JEWISH STUDIES
FOR THE SPRING 14 SEMESTER
:

HISTORY

1.   History 114 – History of the Jewish People I –  Professor Franklin
Class #:  47171 – Mo, We  - 9:15-10:30am  – PH 157 – 3 hr. 3 cr.
The ancient period.  Emphasis on the interpretation of literary and archaeological
evidence in light of modern scholarship. (Perspectives: meets PI)

2.  History 115:  History of the Jewish People II – Professor Bregoli
     Class #:  47174 – Tu, Th – 10:45am-12:00pm – KY 417 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
     The Jewish Middle Ages from the decline of the Palestinian center to the beginnings of
     civic emancipation (ca. 200 A.D. to 1789).

3.  History 200W -  VT:  History of Jewish Mysticism and Kabbalah – Professor Shur
     Class #:  50973 – Tu, Th  12:15-1:30pm – PH 231 - 3 hr., 3 cr.
     The origins of the Jewish Esoteric tradition from the Biblical period through the Modern
     era.

     Beginning with the Patriarchal families we will explore Biblical, Prophetic, Mishnaic,
     Talmudic and Aggadic Texts for the sources of this mystical tradition.  We will examine
     the Philosophy of the Medieval Kabbalistic of Safad as well as the teachings of the later
     Chassidic Masters.

     We will delve into the subjects of Meditation, Numerology, Prophecy, Dreams, “Chariot
     Mysticism”, Astrology, Outer Body Experiences, angels, “The Works of Creation and the
     “Big Bang Theory.”

4.   History 254 -   Jews in Eastern Europe  – Professor Bemporad
      Class # : 47276 – Tu, Th – 10 :45am-12 :00pm – PH 108 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
      The history of medieval eastern-European Jewry, from the thirteenth century on,
      followed by consideration of the early modern period, including the persecutions
     of 1648-49, the effort at rebuilding Jewish life, and the development of Hasidism.
     The course will conclude with the rapid modernization of the late nineteenth century.

    
5.  History 255: VT: Transformational Moments in Arab/Israeli Conflict – Prof. Rosenblum
     Class #: - 47285 – Tu – 3:10-5:50pm – PH 156  – 3 hr., 3 cr.
     Students will take on the roles of Israeli, Palestinian, Arab and American negotiators
     in this semester long simulation.  The current moment is full of crisis and challenge
     for you, “negotiators”, as you convene for a series of secret meetings that you hope will lead
     to a final peace accord between your two people; the Israelis and the Palestinians.  Will you
     be able to jump start the process?  Might you succeed where others have failed?  This course
     is part of the award winning “America and the Middle East: Clash of Civilizations or
     Meeting of Minds” series of courses.

6.  History 257: History and Culture of Bukharian Jews – Professor Rybakov
     Class#: 47292 –We – 6: 30-9:20pm – KY 417 – 3hr., 3 cr.
   This course offers an overview of the history and culture of the Bukharian Jews, one of the
     oldest Jewish communities formed in Central Asia as an independent ethnos with a
     special way of life, its own language, and well defined national ethnic self-identification.
    
     This course will look at the origins of the Jewish population in Central Asia and will
     concentrate on the second part of the 19th century (period of Russian conquest of the
     region in 1865) till the present time (massive exodus from the former Soviet Union),
     when the new communities were developed in Israel and the USA. 

     By the end of the semester, students are expected to have acquired a literacy, if not fluency,in
     the development of the Bukharian Jewish ethnos in Central Asia, its achievements and      
     downfall, community, culture, traditions, music, language and literature. 
  

7.  History 295: Sephardic Jewish History – Professor Bregoli
     Class #:  47303 – Tu, Th, - 12:15-1:30pm – PH 157 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
    This course introduces students to Sephardi history and culture in the early modern
    and modern period.  We will begin with an overview of Jewish life in the Iberian
    Peninsula and the events leading to mass conversions and expulsions in Spain
    and Portugal in the 15th century.  We will explore the creation of new communities
    and identities in Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and the New World in the aftermath
    of the 1942 expulsion, with special emphasis on the Sephardi communities in North
    Africa and the Ottoman Empire, modern political forms, the Holocaust and
    migrations.  We will conclude with a brief section on contemporary Sephardi
    life.

8.  History 311:  Jewish Society in Islamic Lands, 600-1500  – Professor Franklin
     Class #:  47379– Mo, We – 10:45am-12:00pm – RZ 109 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
     Contact History Depart. for course description.

9.  History 392W: A History of Antisemitism – Professor Bemporad
     Class #: 47439 –Th – 1:40-4:30pm – PH 231 – 4 hr., 4 cr.
     This course examines the cultural, intellectual and political origins and manifestations of
     antisemitism in different historic and geographic contexts, from the ancient period , through
     the late nineteenth century, and concluding with the roots of modern genocide, the
     Holocaust and the emergence of new forms of Jewish hatred.  Major topics include:
     the difference between modern antisemitism and older theological forms of Jewish-hatred;
     differences in antisemitic patterns in Eastern  Central and Western Europe; Jewish self-
     hatred and internalization of antisemitic stereotypes by Jews: Jewish individual and
     Collective responses to the “Jewish question”; and patterns of post-Holocaust antisemitism.

10.History 392W: Italy and the Jews - Professor Bregoli
     Class #: 47440 – Tu – 3:10-5:50pm – PH 231 – 4 hr., 4 cr.
     This course focuses on the history of the Jews in Italy from the early Middle Ages to the
     modern period.  Although Italian Jews have always been a tiny fraction of the world Jewry,
     their achievements are great.  Highly integrated and engaged in the culture of their times,
     Italian Jews are quintessentially acculturated and at home both in the Jewish and the Italian
     world.

     How does the particular case of Italian Jewry illuminate the broader Jewish experience?

     This course will pay attention to the specifications of Italian Jewry by concentrating on
     interactions between Jews and non-Jews within the broader context of Italian history.  We
     will consider topics such as Jews in Roman times, medieval Jewish society, Jewish
     intellectual life during the Renaissance, the Ghettos, Italian Jewish art, and the Jews and the

     Risorgimento, Italian antisemitism, Jews under Facism, WWII and its aftermath

HEBREW
HEBREW - BASIC LANGUAGE COURSES

 11. Hebrew 101:  Elementary Hebrew I –   Professor Sandalon
      Class #:  42307 – Tu, Th  – 12:10-2:00pm  – KY 425  – 4 hr., 4 cr.
      A beginner’s course in modern Hebrew.

HEBREW - COURSES IN ENGLISH

13. Hebrew 150: Modern Hebrew Lit. in Translation – Professor Chetrit
      Class #: 42310 – Tu, Th  – 10:45am-12:00pm –             QH 335G– 3 hr., 3 cr.
      Readings in modern Hebrew literature in translation.
      (RL, WC)

14. Hebrew 150: Modern Hebrew Lit. in Translation – Professor Gruber
      Class #: 42313– Mo, We  – 10:45am-12:00pm – RA 214 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
      Readings in modern Hebrew literature in translation.
      (RL, WC)

HEBREW – ADVANCED LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE COURSES
    
15.  Hebrew 350W: Biblical Narrative and Poetry in Translation – Professor Gruber
       Class #: 42316 – Mo, We – 1:40-2:55pm – RA 214 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
       An exploration of literary and textual questions in the Hebrew Bible, with
       special attention to the stories of creation, the stories of the Hebrews, and the rise of King
       David (in Genesis and the books of Samuel).  Topics of study may include narrative and
      character development, repetition (of events, plots, formulae) and type scenes,
      the relationship between law and narrative, forms of poetic writing, and the use of the
      stories in later literature.  All texts are in English; no prior knowledge of
      the Hebrew Bible is required.

16. Hebrew 305: Advanced Modern Hebrew – Professor Chetrit
      Class #: 42324 – Tu, Th – 1:40-2:55pm -  KG 203A  - 3 hr., 3 cr.   
      Prereq.:  Hebrew 204 or equivalent.  A continuation of Hebrew 204.  Study
      of modern Hebrew texts to improve the students’ command of the language
      and to develop an appreciation of modern literature.  For students who have
      completed two years of college level study (or equivalent) in a general Hebrew
      course or who have attained a reading knowledge of Biblical or Rabbinic Hebrew
      without practice in modern literature.

17. Hebrew 356:  Modern Hebrew Lit: 1948 to Present Day – Professor Chetrit
      Class #:  42326– Tu, Th, 5:00-6:15pm – KG 203A – 3 hr., 3 cr.

      Prereq.: Hebrew 305 or equivalent. Study of a theme, genre, or a significant
      Group of authors writing in Israel since 1948

ENGLISH

18. English 153W: Intro to the Bible – Professor Shippee
      Class #: 45763– Mo – 6:30-9:20pm – RA 102 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
      Selected books of the Old Testament in English translation.  Cannot be taken
      for credit if student has taken English 381.
      (CV, WC, PI)    

PHILOSOPHY
     
19. Philosophy 116 – Intro to Philosophy of Religion – Professor O’Connor
      Class #:  42383– Tu, Th – 10:45am-12:00pm – KY 281– 3 hr., 3 cr.
      A philosophical examination of basic concepts in religion such as God,
      religious meaning, faith, and religious experience.  Readings will be selected from
      classical and contemporary sources.  (CV, ET)

20. Philosophy 116 – Intro to Philosophy of Religion – Professor Doukhan
      Class #:  42398– Mo, We – 3:10-4:25 pm – KY 281 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
      See above description.  (CV, ET)

21. Philosophy 116 – Intro to Philosophy of Religion – Professor Shippee
      Class #:  42400– We– 6:30-9:20 pm – PH 152 – 3 hr., 3 cr.
      See above description. (CV, ET)

 POLITICAL SCIENCE

22. Political Science 240:  Contemporary Middle East  – Professor Petaludis
      Class #:  46043– Mo, We– 3:10-4:25 – PH  204 - 3 hr., 3 cr.
      The expansion of the European State system into the Middle East and the regional
      adjustments.  The changing patterns of regional and international politics in the
      Middle East, contrasting the League of Nations and the United Nations systems.
      ((WC)

23. Political Science 260: The Middle East in World Politics – Professor Petaludis
      Class #:  46865– Sa – 1:00-3:45pm – PH  245- 3 hr., 3 cr.
      The expansion of the European State system into the Middle East and the regional
      adjustments.  The changing patterns of regional and international politics in the
      Middle East, contrasting the League of Nations and the United Nations systems.
      (WC)

SOCIOLOGY

24. Sociology 241: The American Jewish Community – Professor Ament
      Class #:  48514 – Mo, We – 10:45-12:00pm – KY 427
      This course will be examining a distinctive ethnic and religious group and the ways that it 
       has attempted to adapt to the American environment while retaining its group identity.  Both
      achievements and challenges will be highlighted.  We will also be analyzing and critiquing
      two recent widely publicized surveys: the 2012 New York Jewish Community Study and the
      2013 Pew Research Center Study on U.S. Jews.
      No prior knowledge about Jews or Judaism is required.
     

      For questions, feel free to contact Professor Ament directly at jonathon.ament@gmail.com.

THE FOLLOWING IS A LISTING OF COURSES ON BROAD THEMES AND TOPICS, WHICH EITHER CONTAINS A JEWISH COMPONENT IN THE FORMAL SYLLABUS OR WHICH ALLOW YOU TO DO PAPERS AND ASSIGNMENTS ON JEWISH-RELATED ISSUES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COURSE.  THESE COURSES WILL COUNT FOR THE JEWISH STUDIES MAJOR AND MINOR IF STUDENTS DO JEWISH STUDIES-RELATED WORK IN THE COURSE.

THE 100 LEVEL COURSES ARE LISTED AS ELECTIVES ONLY AND DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE JEWISH STUDIES MAJOR

HISTORY

       
25. History 284: History of New York State – Professor Davis-Kram
      Class #: 47299 – We– 1:40-4:30 pm– RZ 109– 3 hr., 3 cr.
      Jewish Studies students could choose any area of NYS during a particular period/decade and
      explore the lives of Jews in that time and place/city/town.  Another option would be a
      biographical study of a Jewish individual or family during one time and place.  Examples
      are: the Jewish immigrants to Dutch New Amsterdam; Jewish families and their
      involvement in the American Revolution, Jews in the development of particular areas of the s
      state , industries in which Jews were active in NY State, Jews elected to political office
      in NYS, Jewish immigrant communities in a city or town along the Hudson River –
      e.g. Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Albany.  Prof. Davis-Kram generally does not allow students to
      use NY City for this course since she teaches two courses on NYC in which those topics are
      more useful.  
      (Please confirm with Prof. Davis-Kram if you are taking this course as part of
      the Jewish Studies Major or Minor).  (US)

       learn to read  novels, short stories, plays and diaries and analyze literary and cultural models
       that seek to define identity.

 

Available course descriptions are provided.  Please contact the individual department or professor for additional course information.