Home | Program | Welcome | Classes | Academic Requirements | Faculty | Students Activities | Publications | Speakers Bureau
Center for Jewish Studies | Culture & Arts | Links
| Friends of the Center | Join Us
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
Risorgimento, Italian antisemitism, Jews under Facism, WWII and its aftermath
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 theHEBREW
HEBREW - BASIC LANGUAGE COURSES11. 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
Prereq.: Hebrew 305 or equivalent. Study of a theme, genre, or a significant
Class #: 42326– Tu, Th, 5:00-6:15pm – KG 203A – 3 hr., 3 cr.
Group of authors writing in Israel since 1948ENGLISH
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
For questions, feel free to contact Professor Ament directly at jonathon.ament@gmail.com.
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.
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 MAJORHISTORY
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.