Judaic Studies

General Courses

JS 73 Aspects of the Sephardic Tradition
Introduction to the history and culture of the Sephardic Jews. The life and fortunes of the Sephardim in Spain and Portugal, their contributions to the exploration, settlement, and development of America, their folklore, and present attempts to preserve and promote their heritage will be considered. Focus on prominent and interesting Sephardic personalities from diverse countries and times, such as Maimonides, Dona Gracia Nasi, Judah Touro, Haim Isaac Carigal, and Elias Canetti. Co-listed with CR 73 Ascher

JS 91 Ladino Language and Culture
Introduction to the language known as Ladino and the culture of the Sephardic Jews who have spoken it for over 500 years. When they were expelled from Spain in 1492, Jews took this language with them, and it has been enriched through contact with languages encountered in their various lands of resettlement. Emphasis on the living language: understanding, speaking, and writing (including creatively). Texts will include proverbs, stories, and songs from the folk tradition as well as contemporary poems and songs, and basic language materials: grammar text and verb tables.  Some background in Spanish (or Ladino!) is helpful, but not essential. Co-listed with SPN 91. Ascher

JS 94  Technology and Jewish Oral Tradition
Every week, in Jewish congregations throughout the world, scriptural text is chanted in the synagogue in a ritual that dramatically re-enacts the revelation of the Law on Mount Sinai. In many congregations, across denominational lines, busy lay congregants spend hours every week preparing to "read Torah" at Sabbath services.

Many understand this proper performance of sacred text as a way to position themselves at the core of authentic religious experience. Increasingly, these oral traditions are not learned through face to face interaction with cantors, rabbis or other teachers, but from computer programs such as "Haftutor,” “CyberTropes,” or “Navigating the Bible.” As students learn how to lead prayer from computers and download their Torah readings onto their ipods, the locus of instruction, review and practice has transitioned from the synagogue and study hall to their car, the Stairmaster in their gym and the subway during their daily commute. In this course, we will examine the nature of oral tradition and its customary transmission. We will consider why certain men and women increasingly see the performance of text as a key to authentic religious expression and how the application of new technology is changing the transmission, performance and understanding of these sacred oral traditions. Co-list with MUS 195 Summit

JS 132  Book of Genesis
A detailed study of the biblical book of Genesis, with special attention to the role the book played in postbiblical Jewish tradition. All texts read in English. No prerequisites. Co-listed with CR 132. Rosenberg

JS 159  Contemporary Jewish Fiction
An exploration of the novels and short stories of writers whose work has been at the center of literary life for the last half-century and promises to transport us arguing, laughing, and reflecting deeply into this century as well. Fiction by Saul Bellow, Cynthia Ozick, Philip Roth, Bernard Malamud, Anne Michaels, Primo Levi, and others. Co-listed with ENG 159. Wilson

JS 162  Philip Roth & Company
We will take a tour through Philip Roth's fiction reading his work alongside that of a number of writers whom he has either influenced, parodied, refracted, obsessed about or appropriated. Texts may include: Portnoy's Complaint, The Ghost Writer, American Pastoral, The Human Stain, The Dying Animal (all by Roth), Gogol's "The Nose," Kafka's "Metamorphosis", Henry James's "The Lesson of the Master" and Saul Bellow's Henderson the Rain King. Co-listed with ENG162. Freedman-Bellow

Special Courses

JS 93/193 Directed Study/Advanced Directed Study

JS 99 Internship

JS 199 Senior Honors Thesis

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Hebrew

General Courses

HEB 0001 Elementary Hebrew
For students with no previous knowledge of Hebrew. Study of fundamental speech patterns. Listening comprehension and oral ability, using audiovisual method. Progressively greater emphasis placed on reading and writing skills.
Fall Semester

HEB 0002 Elementary Hebrew
Study of fundamental speech patterns. Listening comprehension and oral ability, using audiovisual method. Progressively greater emphasis placed on reading and writing skills.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 1 or equivalent.
Spring Semester

HEB 0003 Intermediate Hebrew
Rapid oral review of structural principles. Written exercises. Reading and discussion based on selected materials from Hebrew literature. Conducted mainly in Hebrew.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 2 or equivalent.
Fall Semester

HEB 0004 Intermediate Hebrew
Rapid oral review of structural principles. Written exercises. Reading and discussion based on selected materials from Hebrew literature. Conducted mainly in Hebrew.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 3 or equivalent.
Spring Semester

HEB 0021 Conversation/Composition
Class conducted primarily in Hebrew. Readings will include contemporary Hebrew short stories and articles. Class discussions and compositions will be based on the literary texts, up-to-date news, and a selection of Israeli films.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 4 or equivalent.
Fall Semester

HEB 0022 Conversation/Composition 
Continuation of Hebrew 21. The study of major works and problems of the twentieth century in Hebrew literature and in Jewish history. Readings will include works by Shahar, Liebrecht, Avnery, Levin, Hareven, and others. Discussions and compositions will follow the literary texts, films, and current events.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 21 or equivalent.
Spring Semester

HEB 0121 Composition and Conversation
Class conducted primarily in Hebrew. Readings will include contemporary Hebrew short stories and articles. Class discussions and compositions will be based on the literary texts, up-to-date news, and a selection of Israeli films. Extra readings and written assignments.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 22 or permission of instructor.
Fall Semester

HEB 0122 Composition and Conversation
The study of major works and problems of the twentieth century in Hebrew literature and in Jewish history. Readings will include works by Shahar, Liebrecht, Avnery, Levin, Hareven, and others. Discussions and compositions will follow the literary texts, films, and current events. Extra readings and written assignments.
Prerequisites: Hebrew 121 or permission of the instructor.
Spring Semester

Special Courses

HEB 0091 Special Topics
Please see department members for detailed information.
Fall & Spring Semester.

HEB 0092 Topics in Hebrew Literature
Please see department members for detailed information.
Spring Semester

HEB 0093 Directed Study
Directed Study. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Fall Semester

HEB 0094 Directed Study
Directed Study. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Spring Semester

HEB 0095 Hebrew Teaching Internship
Teaching Internship. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Fall Semester

HEB 0096 Hebrew Teaching Internship
Teaching Internship. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Spring Semester
 
HEB 0192 Directed Study
Directed Study. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Spring Semester

HEB 0193 Directed Study
Directed Study. Please see departmental website for specific details.
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
Fall Semester

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