Spring 2009 Courses

Jewish Studies

JWST-210 Voices of Modern Jewish Literature
M/W 6:45-8:00 p.m.
David Solomon, Professorial Lecturer, Jewish Studies
Explores a variety of literary works analyzing the historical experience of modern Jewish communities in Europe, as well as the United States and Israel, emphasizing how migration, racism, industrialization, and political change affected these Jews and their Judaism. Usually offered every spring.

JWST-320.002/HIST-344 Jews, Culture, and Empire
T/F 9:55-11:10 a.m.
Tatjana Lichtenstein, Schusterman Teaching Fellow in Jewish Studies
This course examines the development of modern East European Jewish culture within the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires since the late nineteenth century; includes urbanization, secularization and immigration; politics and cultural revolution; Yiddish literature, theater, and film. Meets with HIST 344.001.

History

HIST-245 Modern Jewish Civilization
M/TH 9:55-11:10 a.m.
Pamela Nadell, Director of Jewish Studies Program
Surveys Jewish responses to the challenges of modernity. Examines the creation of new Jewish communities in America and Israel, shifts on Jewish political status, and innovations in Jewish religious and intellectual history such as Zionism and Hasidism.

HIST-319/619 Holocaust
W 11:20-2:00 p.m.
Tatjana Lichtenstein, Schusterman Teaching Fellow in Jewish Studies
Traces the history of antisemitism and the development of racism that led to the Holocaust. Examines the historical development of the Final Solution. Considers the perpetrators and the victims, as well as international reactions.

HIST-343/643 History of Israel
W 11:20-2:00 p.m.
Yoram Peri, Berman Visiting Professor of Israel Studies
Traces the development of modern political Zionism in nineteenth-century Europe; the historical background leading to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948; and the history of Israel since then, including patterns of Jewish immigration and its relationship to the Arab World.

HIST-373/673 American Jewish History
M/TH 2:10-3:25 p.m.
Pamela Nadell, Director of Jewish Studies Program
Today American Jewry constitutes the preeminent Diaspora Jewish community. This course traces its historical development by examining the waves of Jewish immigration to the United States and the institutions that American Jews created to sustain their community.

School of International Service

SIS-365 Arab-Israeli Relations
M/TH 2:10-3:25 p.m.
Boaz Atzili, Assistant Professor of International Relations
A survey of Arab-Israeli relations from their origins to the present. Includes an account of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, the history of the British mandate, the Arab-Israeli wars, the involvement of external powers, and the quest for peace.

Sociology

SOCY- 340 Israeli Society
W 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Yoram Peri, Berman Visiting Professor of Israel Studies
This course explores the emergence of Israeli society and its changes over time. It reviews Israel's ideological and political foundations, the centrality of immigration, the emergence of Arab minorities and Jewish ethnic divisions, and assesses political, economic, religious, and family patterns within the broader Jewish and Palestinian communities.

Language and Foreign Studies

In the early twentieth century bold pioneers determined that Hebrew, not Yiddish, would become the language of the emerging Jewish state. Learn the Hebrew that modern Israelis speak and master grammar as well as vocabulary; this is particularly useful to those planning to visit Israel.

HEBR-117 Hebrew, Elementary Modern Ι
M/TH 12:45-2:00 p.m.

HEBR-217.001 Hebrew, Intermediate Modern I
M/TH 8:30-9:45 a.m., Prerequisite: HEBR 117 or equivalent

HEBR-317.001 Hebrew, Advanced Modern I
M/TH 9:55-11:10 a.m., Prerequisite: HEBR 217 or equivalent
Additional independent study, independent reading, and internships available. Prerequisite: Standing as Jewish Studies major or minor and permission of Professor Nadell.
JWST-390/590 Independent Reading (1-6 Credits)
JWST-392 Cooperative Education (3-9 Credits)
JWST-481/482 Senior Thesis (3 Credits)

Intern in Metropolitan Washington D.C.

Prerequisite: Standing as Jewish Studies major or minor and permission of Professor Nadell.

JWST-491 Internship (1-6 Credits)
An opportunity to earn university credit while contributing services to a local Jewish organization such as the Anti-Defamation League, Hadassah Washington Action Office, Jewish Historical Society, Jewish Community Center, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

For a complete list of internships available to Jewish Studies majors and minors visit: http://www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/js/internships.html

Go to the Jewish Studies Program home page.