B.A. in Judaic Studies

JUS 301 is intended as an introductory survey and as a gateway to more specialized courses in Judaic Studies. The subject of the course is the Jewish people, one of the oldest nations of the world, whose culture has developed both among and within other cultures as a distinct and relatively continuous whole since Antiquity. Although its content and its precise borders are sometimes difficult to ascertain, "Jewish Civilization" may be defined as the evolving culture--or constellation of related cultures--that the Jews and their Israelite ancestors created and have understood as their collective heritage.

Survey of major political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in the history of Diaspora Jewry: Modern Jewish history.

Survey of major political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in the history of Diaspora Jewry from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution. 

Survey of the history and religion of ancient Israel. The Biblical period through the Babylonian Exile; introduction to the Hebrew Bible. 

Survey of the history and religion of ancient Israel. Ezra-Nehemiah to the Roman Empire, with emphasis on the formation of rabbinic Judaism. 

Evolution of the State of Israel from the rise of Zionism in 19th Century Europe to the present. Survey of the origins of the State of Israel from the rise of Zionism in 19th Century Europe to the Declaration of the State of Israel from 1949 to the present. Emphasis on interactive generative processes and understanding of the interplay between processes and present socio-political realities. 

The course examines various definitions of anti-Semitism and traces the history of anti-Semitism (or "anti-Judaism") from the earliest arguments between Christianizing Jews and Judaizing Christians to the birth of Islam, through the period of Muslim expansion and the Crusades, to the Middle Ages, the Enlightenment, and the Holocaust. It looks at the differences among various types of Christian anti-Semitism, Muslim anti-Semitism, and Jewish anti-Semitism, and concludes with a look at contemporary forms of anti-Semitism.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

The practical application, on an individual basis, of previously studied theory and the collection of data for future theoretical interpretation. 

Intensive introduction to basic oral skills, reading and writing to accomplish simple conversation and read easy Hebrew with comprehension.

Intensive introduction to establish foundation for beginning fluency in conversation, reading and writing.

Instruction to achieve moderate fluency in conversation, reading and writing.

Advanced instruction in modern Hebrew language and literature.