100(GNE 100/101)/APTIS 100/ACABS
100/Hist. 132. Peoples of the Middle East. (4). (HU).
See APTIS 100.
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Times, Location, and Availability
102(Hebrew 202). Elementary
Modern Hebrew, II. HJCS 101. (5). (LR).
Continuation of the development of basic communication skills
of reading, writing, and speaking modern standard Hebrew. Class
drills, class discussions in Hebrew, language laboratory drills.
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Times, Location, and Availability
202(Hebrew 302). Intermediate
Modern Hebrew, II. HJCS 201. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Hebrew 312. (5). (LR).
The focus of instruction will be on the four language skills
with a continued emphasis on oral work and writing. In addition
to continued study of morphology and syntax, some readings selections
in fiction and non-fiction prose will be introduced. Cost:1
WL:3
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Times, Location, and Availability
270/Judaic Studies 270.
Introduction to Rabbinic Literature. (3). (HU).
For about 2,000 years, up to the eighteenth century in Europe
and to the twentieth in Africa and Asia, the vast majority of
Jews lived according to religious law (halacha). This is still the way of life of many Jews. It is based on the "oral law,"
which is an elaboration and interpretation of the Mosaic law.
The course surveys the character and development of the oral law, beginning with the activities of Anshei Knesset Hagdolah (Men
of the Great Assembly), the Sanhedrin and the Hillel Patriachate.
We examine the literary forms, composition and redaction of the
Mishna, Tosefta, Babylonian and Jerusalem Talmud, and the Midrashei
Halacha and Aggada. The course will go beyond the "classical"
rabbinic period and examine the rabbinic schools (yeshivot) and major rabbinic authorities in their geographical and historical
settings. Cost:1
(Steinfeld)
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Times, Location, and Availability
302(Hebrew 402). Advanced
Hebrew, II. HJCS 301. (3). (Excl).
This course is a continuation of the Hebrew sequence comprising the second term of the third year Hebrew class. (Participation
in Hebrew 301 offered in the previous term is not required if the student is at the advanced level.) The focus will be on developing
proficiency in all five languages skills. Student participation
is an essential part of the course. Readings will include short
works of fiction as well as journalistic pieces. This will be
supplemented by other media including music, video, recordings, readings, etc. Students' grades will be determined on the basic of assignments, participation (including in-class presentations), and a final exam. Cost:1
WL:3 (Bernstein)
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Times, Location, and Availability
373(Hebrew 373)/Judaic Studies
373. Israeli Culture and Society. (3). (SS).
Israel as a newborn nation-state offers us the opportunity
to study a culture in formation, a culture formed from both indigenous
Middle Eastern elements and the contributions of immigrants from
Jewish communities from all over the world. Attention will be
focused on the different bases of Israeli identity which give
rise to a society defined by its cleavages, and the resultant
tensions arising within such a society. The analysis will include
a consideration of the ways in which the particular and peculiar
history of the state of Israel are reflected in the national culture.
The course will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing
historical, sociological, literary, and cultural studies. In addition
to the reading of both primary and secondary sources, films (both
documentary and belletristic) will be shown. Requirements for the course include compilation of dialectical journal and a paper.
Cost:2 WL:3 (Bernstein)
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Times, Location, and Availability
379(GNE 469)/Judaic Studies
379. Jewish Civilization. (4). (SS).
Lectures on topics in Jewish Intellectual History, with class
discussion based on selected assignments. Some of the topics are:
Monotheism, Law, Messianism, Mysticism, Language and Literature;
Sabbath and the Festivals, Sacrifice and Prayer. Students are
evaluated on the basis of two exams. Cost:2
WL:3 or 4 (Schramm)
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Times, Location, and Availability
402(Hebrew 404). Hebrew
of the Communications Media, II. HJCS 202. (3). (Excl).
Section 001 – Advanced Modern Hebrew. Emphasis is on reading
and listening and viewing comprehension. There is a particular
emphasis on the expansion of vocabulary in the domain of current
events and the development of discussion skills. Course materials
are based on the social genre of the communications media (newspapers
and television). Unedited newspaper selections will be read, and news broadcasts and television programs will be used in the class
in the language laboratory. Grades will be based on two exams
and special projects. (Coffin)
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Times, Location, and Availability
478(GNE 468)/Judaic Studies
468/Rel. 469. Jewish Mysticism. (3). (Excl).
A study of the historical development of Jewish mysticism, its symbolic universe, meditational practices, and social ramifications.
While we will survey mystical traditions from the late second
Temple period through modernity, the central focus will be on the rich medieval stream known as kabbalah. Among the
issues to be explored are: the nature of mystical experience;
images of God, world, and Person; sexual and gender symbolism
(images of the male and female); the problem of evil; mysticism, language, and silence; mysticism and the law; mysticism and community;
meditative and ecstatic practices (ranging from visualization
to chant, letter combination, and modulated breathing); kabbalistic
myth and ritual innovation; and kabbalistic interpretations of
history. Modern interpretations of mysticism will also be considered.
Readings for the course consist of secondary sources from the
history of Judaism and comparative religion, and selected primary
texts (in translation). Requirements include two exams and a research
paper. Class lectures will be supplemented by discussion, and on occasion, music and other media. Cost:3
WL:1 (Ginsburg)
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Times, Location, and Availability
545(Hebrew 543). Medieval
Jewish Literature. HJCS 302. (3). (Excl).
Readings of medieval genres, including secular and liturgical
poetry, the romance, and prose narratives. Discussions will center
on literacy innovations and the role of medieval Hebrew literature
within the context of the history of Western European literature.
A term paper and a seminar report is a course requirement. Cost:1 (Schramm)
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Times, Location, and Availability
572(Hebrew 552). Israeli
Literature, II. HJCS 302. (3). (HU). May be repeated
for a total of six credits.
This course is run on a seminar basis and is based on a selection
of contemporary Israeli works of fiction, films, and plays. Emphasis
is on readings, discussion, and analyses. Contemporary short stories, novels, poems, and plays serve as the basis for discussion. Grades
will be based on written and oral assignments and two examinations.
Advanced knowledge of Hebrew is required for the course. The theme
for this term is: "Sefer va-seret: Book and Film." (Coffin)
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Times, Location, and Availability
577(GNE 467)/Judaic Studies
467/Relig. 471. Seminar: Topics in the Study of Judaism. (3).
(Excl). May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.
Section 001- Between Contemplation and Ecstasy: Hasidic Teachings
on the Spiritual Path. Prerequisite: Reading knowledge of Hebrew
or consent of instructor. Of all movements in Jewish mysticism, perhaps none has a richer set of mystical practices and teachings than Eastern European Hasidism. The focus will be on the meditative
and ecstatic elements in Hasidism. We will sample some classics
of early Hasidic literature: ranging from the God-intoxicated
teachings attributed to the Baal Shem Tov, to the complex theologies
of the Maggid of Mezritch and Nahman of Bratslav, who held that the broken heart is also the open heart. In the closing weeks
of the course, we will focus on the Sefat Emet, surely
one of the most important works of Jewish spirituality in the
last hundred years. Original Hebrew texts will be provided, although
English will be the language of discussion. The reading load will
not be extensive, but will aim at depth of understanding. Supplementary
music. Cost:2
(Ginsburg)
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Times, Location, and Availability
591. Topics in Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies. (3). (Excl).
Section 001 – The Cycle of the Jewish Year. The historic, ritual, and religious nature of the Jewish calendar is the focus
of this course. It deals with selected subjects from the laws
of the Sabbath and Jewish holidays, such as Rosh Hashana, Yom
Kippur, Passover, Yom Haatzmaut, fasts, etc. Textual
study is emphasized: Mishna, Talmud, Codes, commentaries, and rabbinic literature. Some knowledge of Jewish traditions is advisable, though not mandatory. (Steinfeld)
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Times, Location, and Availability
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