Courses in Jewish Studies

Jewish Cultures around the World. GSCL 199
An introduction to Jewish life in different parts of the world. Students will look at the Jewish experience in the United States, Iran, Europe, Latin America, and Israel, drawing on ethnographies, memoirs, films, and essays to bring to life the many faces of Judaism and Jewish culture.

Holocaust Memory, History, and Representation. INTS 592
An exploration of Jewish life in Europe before, during, and after the Holocaust period, examining the physical and emotional impact of the Holocaust on Jewish community, memory, and identity and on Jewish relations with non-Jewish neighbors. The course will also explore the role and significance of Holocaust representation in art, film, and memorials.

Religions of the World. REL 526
An examination of the major religious traditions with focus on Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The History and Religion of Israel. REL 101
A study of the Old Testament in its larger Near-Eastern context with emphasis on history, theology, and the different literary genres. (This course is required for all undergraduate students)

Religious and Cultural Life Cycle Rituals. INTS 592
An exploration of life cycle rituals across diverse religions and cultures, with attention to ritual processes and interpretations. Students will examine the life cycle as a cultural concept through theories of ritual and rites of passage. The course will also consider the ethnographic methods for studying life cycle rituals, observing them in our communities, and describing and interpreting them in oral and written forms.

Ethnicity and Nationalism: The Politics of Identity. INTS/POSC 553
A research-oriented seminar that will engage in a sophisticated examination of the key issues connected with ethnicity, nationalism, and transnationalism. Themes to be explored include primordialist, modernist, and post-modernist views of identity; national territoriality and its catalysts; interactive nationalism and subordinate group separatism; diaspora politics; and the utility of autonomy and ethnic federalism in managing multi-national/multi-homeland states.

Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspectives. POSC 559
Explores the status of relations between politics and religion in the contemporary world. Some basic historical and theological background will be provided as each religion is introduced, followed by an analysis of the political involvement of groups in specific countries.

Government and Politics of Israel. POSC/INTS 592
An overview of the Israeli political system, institutions and primary political challenges. In general, we will investigate issues such as the Zionist ideology of the founders, the transformation of that ideology during the state-building period, historical and contemporary politics, the role of conflict and the peace process on domestic politics, and regional relations.

Arab-Israeli Conflict. INTS 592
An academic foundation to allow a more sophisticated understanding of political, religious, economic and security issues surrounding the Arab-Israeli conflict. Current and ongoing events will be placed in historical perspective in order to provide insight into the challenges of achieving peace in the Middle East.

The Holocaust in Literature and Film. ENG 380

Literary Study: Jewish Writers on Sex, Trauma, and Laughter. ENG 315