JEWISH STUDIES COURSE LIST – SPRING, 2013
JDS 210/ENG 281 Introduction to the Old Testament – Marla Segol
Who wrote the Bible? Why did they do it? What did they want to say? And how do we know? In this course we will carefully read parts of the Hebrew Bible to understand the narratives in it, the social context in which they were written, and the ways it has been read. That means that we will begin with the primary text, and contextualize it historically, and theorize its reception. We will pay attention to its style, and we will try to identify and understand the big questions asked and answered in it to understand how the text generates meaning.
T/TH - 11:00am-12:20pm - 708 Clemens Hall (Samuel Friedman Library)
JDS 225/PHI 298 Modern Jewish Thought - Richard Cohen
Modern Jewish thought, like all modern thought, is initiated in response to and challenged by modern science. We begin with Baruch Spinoza's rationalist attack on traditional religion - and rabbinic Judaism in particular - in the Theological-Political Treatise (1670), and then turn to Moses Mendelssohn's important work Jerusalem (1783), which is an Enlightenment defense of Judaism in critical response to modern science and to Spinoza. We then turn to selected writings of the four greatest figures of more recent Jewish philosophy: the great "Kantian" Hermann Cohen (1842-1018); the great philosopher of dialogue, Martin Buber (1878-1965); the great "returnee" to Judaism, Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929); and the great ethical philosopher of the face-to-face, Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995).
T/TH - 12:30pm-1:50pm - 708 Clemens Hall (Samuel Friedman Library)
JDS 235 American Jewish Experience - Daniel Kotzin
This course will examine the Jewish experience in America by studying American Jewish life from colonial beginnings to the present with a focus on immigration, assimilation, social mobility, education and the family, and group identity. A central question for the course is: how have American Jews understood what it means to be Jewish in America? By using this question as the focus, students will explore the ways in which American Jewish identities have been constructed through efforts to maintain Jewish distinctiveness while also integrating into the larger American society. Students will look at how Jewish tradition has adapted to America, how Jewish communal life developed in America, how American Jews build relationships with the international Jewish community, and how American Jews related with other Americans.
M/W/F - 10:00am-10:50am - 708 Clemens Hall (Samuel Friedman Library)
JDS 237 /RSP 237/HIS 237 History of Israel and Zionism - Daniel Kotzin
This course will examine the development of the Zionist idea from its ancient and rabbinic origins to its modern political implementation. A particular area of focus will be on the modern Zionist movement, the variety of perspectives on Zionism within the movement, their conflicting visions, and the various ways in which Zionists sought to approach the Arab population. The history of Israeli politics, culture, and society since 1948 will also be a central element of the course.
M/W/F 9:00am-9:50am - 708 Clemens Hall (Samuel Friedman Library)
JDS 280 Jewish Mysticism – Marla Segol
In this course we will explore Jewish Mysticism from its earliest sources in the Torah and the Talmud to its manifestations on the internet in the present. We'll focus on the development of its symbols, where they came from, and how they signify. We'll look at the role that bodies play- how much does it matter what its practitioners do, and how they do it? In that same vein, we'll look at gender categories, and how they organize thought and action in a kabbalistic cosmos. Finally we'll consider the notion of authenticity. Who has a right to claim its symbols, its texts, its cosmological models, and its powers as their own? By the end of the course students will be familiar with the core texts in kabbalah, they will have a good grasp of its cosmological models, knowledge of the range of ideas about how the texts work, for whom, and why people think so.
T/TH - 3:30pm-4:50pm - 708 Clemens Hall (Samuel Friedman Library)
HEB 102 Elementary Modern Hebrew 2 - Lilia Dolgopolskaia
Hebrew 102 is the second part of the Elementary Hebrew course at UB. This course aims to further present students with the basis of Modern Israeli Hebrew and to assist them in developing the fundamental linguistic skills of Hebrew aural and reading comprehension, conversation and writing in a communicative approach. To supplement the course packet, enrichment activities, ranging from traditional handouts to the use of new digital technology are incorporated in the course.
M/W/F – 9:00am-10:25am - Baldy 127
HEB 202 Intermediate Hebrew 2 - Lilia Dolgopolskaia
Hebrew 202 is the second part in the continuation of Intermediate Hebrew at UB. This course aims to offer students further basis of Modern Israeli Hebrew and to facilitate their communicative and linguistic skills in Hebrew aural comprehension, conversation, reading and writing. To supplement the course packet, enrichment activities, ranging from traditional handouts to the use of new digital technology are incorporated in the course.
M/W/F – 11:00am-12:20pm - Clemens Hall 708
Jewish Thought & Heritage Fall 2012 Course Descriptions
JDS 103/RSP 203 Introduction to Judaism
Segol: TR 2:00-3:20 PM, CFA 144
Reg # 18521/14333
This course will introduce you to Judaism and the academic study of Judaism. We will begin by asking two vital questions: What is Judaism? Who are the Jewish people? During the semester, we will examine the history, beliefs and practices of Judaism. We will also focus on methods of textual interpretation and the diversity of Jewish movements.
No prereqs. Fulfills a Humanities General Education requirement. Fulfills a JDS minor requirement.
JDS 111 Great Jewish Books
Dogopolski: TR 12:30-1:50 PM, Capen 110
Reg # 14453
Read, listen, think, discuss, and, if you like, present the texts on the stage; through these activities, the students in this
course will discover historical, literary, and intellectual worlds in great Jewish books from the Bible through medieval, modern, and postmodern periods.
No prereqs.
JDS 285/RSP285/COL 470 Jewish Law
Dolgopolski: TR 3:30-4:50 PM, Clemens 119
Reg # 23663/24052/24053
This is a course of study of Jewish Law and the main lines of its reception and interpretation from late antiquity through modernity in Rabbinic literature and in the broader context of Western philosophy and culture. Satisfies General Education requirement, Jewish Studies Minor and Jewish Studies Major Requirements.
JDS 306 Special Topics - Jewish Civilization 1: from the Bible to 1492
Segol: TR 12:30-1:50 PM, Friedman Judaica Library, 708 Clemens
Reg #22104
This course examines the social, economic, religious and political experiences of the Jewish people from the biblical period until the end of the fifteenth century. The religious and social expressions of Jews will be discussed within the broader context of the cultures in which they found themselves. Topics to be included: the confrontation between Hellenism and Judaism, the Maccabean conflict, the destruction of the Second Temple, and the emergence of rabbinic Judaism. The course will conclude with the emergence of "Marranos" and the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Primary and secondary readings will be used.
JDS 499 Independent Study
PHI 589 Contemporary Philosophy, Politics and Values
Cohen: W 4:00-5:50 PM, 141 Park
Reg # 2249
Student may arrange for special courses of study with faculty through "Independent Study."
Permission of instructor only to register; limited to seniors.
JDS 499 Independent Study
Dolgopolskaia, L.: Arranged
Reg # 22954
Student may arrange for special courses of study with faculty through "Independent Study."
Permission of instructor only to register.
HEB 101 Elementary Modern Hebrew 1
Dolgopolskaia: MWF 9:00-10:25 AM, Baldy 125
Reg # 18288
A beginning course in modern Israeli Hebrew. Essentials of grammar, syntax and conversational practice; elementary reading and writing. Note: Students with other previous experience in Hebrew must take a placement exam. Offered every Fall semester.
HEB 201 Intermediate MODERN Hebrew 1
Dolgopolskaia: MWF 11:00-11:50 AM, Clemens 117
Reg # 12499
3 Credit Hours
Further development of language skills: listening comprehension, oral efficiency, Intermediate grammar and syntax, reading and writing. Note: Students with other previous experience in Hebrew must take a placement exam.
Prerequisite: HEBREW 102 or permission of the instructor. Offered every Fall semester.
HEB 499 Hebrew Independent Study
Dolgopolskaia, L.: Arranged
Reg #22942
Students may arrange for special courses of study with faculty through "Independent Study."
Permission of instructor only to register.