02417/Jewish Studies

Courses taught in Hebrew are cross listed with Hebrew; those taught in English or in translation are cross listed with Greek, Hebrew, and Roman Classics.
 

Lower Division Courses

0005. The Image of the Jew in the Motion Picture (3 s.h.)

This course will explore through a series of films the various images of the Jew in the motion picture. In each class session the students will view and discuss an appropriate film based on the film itself and relevant readings. The films are divided into three main groups: different views of the Jew from non-Jewish perspectives, different views of the Jew from Jewish perspectives, and different responses of Jews from Jewish perspectives to the perspectives of non-Jews. The third group of films is itself divided into three groups: the Jew as Zionist, the Jew as idealist, and the Jew as Holocaust victim.

0051. Beginner's Hebrew I (4 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with Hebrew 0051.

Cultivation of the ability to read, write, and speak the language. Study of a basic vocabulary and fundamental rules of grammar.

0052. Beginner's Hebrew II (4 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Hebrew 0052.

Continuation of Beginner's Hebrew I with emphasis on conversation and composition. Reading of easy vocalized literature and reports.

C061. Intermediate Hebrew I (4 s.h.) F. Core: LB.

Cross Listed with Hebrew C061.

Reading of moderately difficult Hebrew texts with discussion in Hebrew. Introduction to nonvocalized literature. Principles of vocalization and the irregular verb in all its conjugations. Laboratory work emphasizes the retelling of literature.

0062. Intermediate Hebrew II (4 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Hebrew 0062.

Continuation of Intermediate Hebrew I.

Upper Division Courses

0110. What is Judaism? (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with Religion 0224.

This course introduces students to the beliefs, rituals, customs, and practices of the Jewish people in a historical context through an analysis of a variety of religious, cultural, and political texts and artifacts.

0112. Foundations of Judaism (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with History W255.

This course presents an introductory survey of Jewish life during the period in which the central texts or rabbinic Judaism were composed--Mishnah, the Talmud, midrash, and classical rabbinic commentaries on the Bible. The nature of God, creation, divine providence, prayer, life after death, Israel as the chosen people, messianism, and Jewish ethics are studied in the light of the growing and changing Jewish conceptions of this period.

0121. Survey of Jewish History (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with History 0112.

Jewish history from the destruction of the Second Jewish Commonwealth to the creation of the State of Israel. Focus on minority status, migration, persecution, economic adaptation, gender roles in different environments, acculturation and identity. Will include the medieval Jewish experience under both Christian and Islamic rule; the development of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe, Western Europe, and the United States; the changing role of Jewish women; the rise of Zionism; and the Holocaust.

0141. Mideast Literature in Translation (3 s.h.) SS.

Cross Listed with GHR Classics 0275.

This course includes a selection of translated short stories from Arabic and Hebrew. It offers a view of life in the Middle east in the last forty years in the eyes of writers from Syria, Israel, Iran, Egypt, and Lebanon.

H190. Honors - Special Topics (3 s.h.)

This course provides a cross listing for topics in other departments when they have a Jewish Studies content.

Note: Course content varies each semester. Students can obtain a description of the current version at the Jewish Studies office.

0200. Topics in Jewish Studies (3 s.h.) F S SS.

This course provides a cross listing for topics in other departments when they have a Jewish Studies content.

Note: Course content varies each semester. Students can obtain a description of the current version at the Jewish Studies office.

0211. The Philosophies of Judaism (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with Political Science 0270 and Religion 0225.

Close study of works by one or more political philosophers, stressing their relevance to an understanding of contemporary politics.

W221. Introduction to the Bible (3 s.h.) F S SS. Core: WI.

Cross Listed with Religion W240.

Introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures. What is the Bible? Where did it come from? How can there be so many different interpretations of the Bible? An examination of the historical and religious background of the Hebrew Scriptures and the various kinds of literature in the Bible.

0223. Jewish Experience in America (3 s.h.)

Cross Listed with History 0285.

This course considers evolution of the Jewish community in the United States from its colonial beginnings to the present day. Topics include the immigrant experiences of various waves of migration, especially from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union; the development of the major religious movements within Judaism: Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist; the role of Jews in American life and politics; the changing roles of American Jewish women; American antisemitism; Black-Jewish relations; relationship between American Jews and Israel; assimilation and identity.

0231. Literature and Art of the Holocaust (3 s.h.) F SS.

Cross Listed with GHR Classics 0279.

One of the main assumptions of the course is that the Holocaust, which was considered to be a Jewish catastrophe, is humanity's catastrophe and affirmation of the bankruptcy and failing of western civilization. The literature of the Holocaust transmits the horrors and terrors in concentration camps, on the trains and in the snowy fields.

Note: The course will be offered in English.

0232. Israel in the Middle East (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with GHR Classics C086 or Hebrew C086.

Law, geography, education, religion, politics, eastern and western communities, and culture examined by experts in three fields.

Note: This course will be offered in English.

0233/W233. Jewish Humor Past and Present (3 s.h.) S SS. Core: for W233 : WI.

Cross Listed with GHR Classics 0278/W278.

The development of Jewish humor from the medieval ages through the Enlightenment through modern Israel. Focuses on the different literary forms of wit and humor. Representative works and authors are Ibn Zabara, Book of Delight; Perl, The Discovery of Secrets; and a Sholom Aleichem selection. Concludes with selections from Kishon, Ben-Amotz (Israel), Woody Allen, Sam Levenson, and Nadir (U.S.).

R234. Anti-Semitism/Holocaust/Racism (3 s.h.) S. Core: RS.

Cross Listed with History R108.

A history of anti-Semitism with a focus on the Holocaust and racism. This course will investigate the development and implementation of racial anti-Semitism in Germany and compare Nazi anti-Semitism with other forms of racism and anti-Semitism in Europe and America. It will also explore the connection between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, the growth of neo-Nazism, and the complex relationship between American Jews and African Americans.

0299. Jewish Studies Internship (3 s.h.) F S.

The Jewish Studies intership course is designed to enable Temple students to work in the Jewish community to both do hands on work in a Jewish cultural, historical, communal or religious organization in Philadelphia's vibrant Jewish community and do a research project on some aspect of their work. Students will work closely with the director of Jewish Studies to design a project that best suits their particular interests. Students will do readings connected to the history of the organization that they are working for, as well as do readings specifically around the kind of work they are doing learning more about the institutional structures of Jewish communal life, Jewish museums, Jewish archives, or the work and commitments of specific Jewish religious demoninations and their histories.

Note: Special authorization required for all students.

0312. Love Themes in Hebrew Literature (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with GHR Classics 0150.

The development of the different love themes from the Song of Songs, through the golden age of Spain, Hebrew poetry in Italy, the Enlightenment, revival period, and Israeli literature. Among the themes will be great expectations, happiness and unity, and the happy hell of withered love. Changes in style, form, and content will be emphasized and recurring symbols will be discussed.

0331. Israel and the Arabs (3 s.h.) F.

Cross Listed with History 0230.

Development of Israel and its relationship with its Arab neighbors. Includes a discussion of the evolution of Zionism, the growth of Arab nationalism, the creation of the Jewish State, the plight of the Palestinian refugees, and an evaluation of peace prospects in the Middle East.

0333. Women in Judaism (3 s.h.) S.

Cross Listed with Religion 0301.

This course will explore a series of constructions of gender within ancient and contemporary Judaisms. It will deal with masculinity as well as femininity.

0342. Independent Study in Jewish Studies (3 s.h.) F S SS.

Intensive study under individual guidance in a specific area suggested by the student and approved by the faculty adviser from the Jewish Studies faculty.

Note: Special authorization required for all students.