This 3000-level course explores the fascinating, tangled history of religion & money. It examines ideas about wealth & poverty, virtue & vice in scriptures and classic texts of various religions, and considers how those ideas have changed over time. Major themes include: persecution and power, self-worth, security, success, legitimacy, corruption, cruelty, pride, religion and the […]
Explores the key themes, critical questions, and entrenched conflicts about the place of religion during the long and varied history of American civic and cultural life. It analyzes Native-Newcomer religious tensions, disestablishment, uniquely American religions, and the intersections of religion with war, nationalism, immigration, race, science, expansion, urbanization, gender, counterculture, and new media.
Explores relations between Jews and other peoples in Eastern Europe after World War II.
A student may take an independent, individually supervised reading/research course, provided that the student and the course meet the requirements as set out by the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies and those established by the department. Note: Independent reading/research courses require a signed agreement between the student and faculty member, as well as […]
An exploration of some major currents in contemporary Hebrew literature; how do Israeli writers respond and reflect upon the daily challenges of Israeli life? Internationally acclaimed, gifted Israeli authors help us better understand the moral, social and cultural challenges confronting the Israeli nation; its joys and sorrows, hope and despair, solidarity and conflict, pride and […]
A close textual analysis of selected passages from the later books of the Bible; Esther, Lamentations and Ecclesiastes, and interpretations of these books written in Hebrew throughout the ages.
Introduces students to the basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of ""Biblical"" Hebrew as represented in the Bible and in ancient Hebrew inscriptions. Students are introduced to the Hebrew writing system, basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. The focus of the grammar is on the Hebrew noun and verb, their various forms and uses. In this introductory […]
Introduces students to the basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax of ""Biblical"" Hebrew as represented in the Bible and in ancient Hebrew inscriptions. Students are introduced to the Hebrew writing system, basic vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. The focus of the grammar is on the Hebrew noun and verb, their various forms and uses. In this introductory […]
This course examines the causes of conflicts in the Middle East. The history of foreign powers' involvement in the region, religious fundamentalism, authoritarianism, economic development and politics of oil and water provide the background to the conflicts. The second term focuses specifically on Arab-Israeli wars, the peace process, the conflicts in the Persian Gulf including […]
Jewish thought and culture are explored over a millennium (800-1800), focusing on transformations of the classical (biblical-rabbinic) legacy and interplay with the Islamic and Christian religio-cultural spheres in which they developed.