Electives

Survey of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature which explores the literacy features and sociological significance of apocalyptic thought in Western culture from antiquity to the present.

Advanced instruction in modern Hebrew language and literature.

Advanced instruction in modern Hebrew language and literature. 

This course explores Jewish thought and culture, religious ideas and practices through multidisciplinary perspectives including biblical studies and rabbinics, theology, philosophy, history, law and medical ethics. Students learn foundational concepts of Judaism and apply them to larger philosophical questions about the evolution of religion and morality in today's world. What are Jewish understandings of virtue, of man's status, role and responsibility to the earth? What are the attributes and nature of God in Judaism and how do they differ from Christianity and Islam? How did Jewish notions of politics, social construct, and the covenant impact the structure and nature of the United States? How does Judaism view abortion, organ transplantation and genetics engineering? 

This course approaches anti-Jewish hatred as a historical and cultural phenomenon of various hues and dimensions that is a long-term challenge to social justice (including diversity, equity, and inclusion). We will examine how this form of animosity arose and continues to arise and be promoted—even by some Jews. We will see how anti-Jewish animus has mutated and why. We will also delve into the specific forms that it has taken—for example, racist forms. We will look at specific cases and trends from antiquity to the Middle Ages, to the modern era (including the Holocaust), and conclude with an examination of antisemitism in its radical left-wing and radical right-wing varieties in the present day.