CORE-105: Jerusalem: Myth, History, Modernity

Tu/Fri 11:20AM – 12:35PM, Martyn Oliver

This course proceeds chronologically, beginning with the earliest archeological evidence of settlement in what is now Jerusalem and then turns to how the city plays a role in the mythic imagination of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. As the story of Jerusalem plays out over time, students examine the tension between the physical city and its real-world inhabitants versus the many imperial projections about the city, from the Assyrians and Babylonians, the Persians, the Romans, the empires of medieval Europe and the Ottomans, the British, the Arabs and finally to the modern State of Israel and the Palestinian Territories. At every turn students explore how Jerusalem so often serves as a proxy for disputes over identity, culture, language, and religion. In addition to creating their own representations of Jerusalem, students visit local museums and institutions, hear from a variety of guest speakers, and develop an appreciation for the complexity of a place that, too often tragically, remains central to contemporary geo-politics and personal identity.

CORE-105: Antisemitism: Enduring Hatred

Wed 11:20AM – 2:10PM, Pamela Nadell

Hatred of the Jewish people and Judaism appeared in antiquity and continues to this very day. The phenomenon puzzles scholars, pundits, politicians, Jews, and people around the world. This course studies this complex problem, focusing on specific episodes of this hatred in the past and present, emphasizing its long history in the United States. Students read different genres of literature—history (secondary and primary sources), fiction, and nonfiction--to grapple with the multifarious dimensions of antisemitism, the world's oldest and longest hatred.

JWST 205: Ancient & Medieval Jewish Civilization

M/Th 9:45AM – 11:00AM, Lauren Strauss
Fulfills HOM Socio-Historical Inquiry for AU Core

Examines the independent Jewish states that flourished in Palestine, the rise of the most important Jewish communities outside the ancient Jewish homeland, and the foreign influences that shaped not only the political life of the Jews but also their internal organization and their creativity.

HEBR-116: Hebrew, Elementary Modern 1

M/Th 11:20AM – 12:35PM, Sarit Lisogorsky

Focuses on the acquisition of basic vocabulary and grammatical structures in culturally authentic contexts through speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension. Designed for students with no prior experience with Hebrew.

HEBR-216: Hebrew, Intermediate Modern 1

M/Th 9:45AM – 11:00AM, Sarit Lisogorsky

Focuses on the refinement of basic language skills in a cultural context. Expansion of vocabulary and grammatical structures and development of communicative skills.
Prerequisite: HEBR-117.

ISR-300-001: Foodways and Identity: Israel

Wed 2:30PM – 5:20PM, Lauren Strauss

This course uses food culture to study migration, identity, and intergroup relations in Israel. The histories of Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and other communities are explored. The course employs an interdisciplinary approach based in history, economics, and material culture, also drawing on food resources in DC, from local restaurants to cookbook authors.

ISR-317-001: Israeli Politics & Public Policy

Tuesday/Friday 11:20-12:35, Dan Arbell

This course provides an overview of the geopolitical history of Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict from the pre-state era until the present as well as an analysis of the principles that guide Israel's political system and the cleavages in Israeli society which greatly affect developments and trends in politics and policy. It is mostly conducted as a lecture/discussion course, but also includes reading academic articles, watching films, listening to guest lectures, holding class debates, and discussing current news and developments.

HIST 419: Holocaust

Tu/Fri 11:20AM – 12:35PM, Instructor TBD

Traces the history of anti-Semitism and the development of racism that led to the Holocaust. Examines the historical development of the Final Solution. Considers the variety of responses to Jewish persecution by the Nazi perpetrators, the Jews, and the nations of the world.

HIST 443: History of Israel

M/Th 4:05PM – 5:20PM, Michael Brenner

Traces the development of modern political Zionism in nineteenth-century Europe; the historical background leading to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948; and the history of Israel since then, including patterns of Jewish immigration and its relationship to the Arab world.

RELG-105: Religious Heritage of the West

Tu/Fri 12:55PM – 2:10PM, Instructor TBD
Fulfills HOM Socio-Historical Inquiry for AU Core

Traces the history of anti-Semitism and the development of racism that led to the Holocaust. Examines the historical development of the Final Solution. Considers the variety of responses to Jewish persecution by the Nazi perpetrators, the Jews, and the nations of the world.

JWST 481: Senior Thesis in Jewish Studies I

Course has no meeting time, Lauren Strauss
Fulfills AU Core Capstone Integrative Requirement.

Completion of senior thesis on a topic selected after consultation with the student's advisor.

Prerequisite: JWST 481.

JWST 482: Senior Thesis in Jewish Studies II

Course has no meeting time, Lauren Strauss

Completion of senior thesis on a topic selected after consultation with the student's advisor.

Prerequisite: JWST 481.

JWST 491: Internship in Jewish Studies (1-6 credits)

Course has no meeting time, Lauren Strauss

Provides students an opportunity to enrich organizational skills and gain experience in community relations, religious, Israel-centered, or social welfare agencies. Requires permission of instructor and/or program director.