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

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

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.

Continuation of Intermediate Hebrew I.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

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 it self divided into three groups—the Jew as Zionist, the Jew as idealist, and the Jew as Holocaust victim.

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.

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. Wil l 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.

ADVANCED COURSES

This course provides a cross listing for topics in other departments when they have a Jewish Studies content. Course content varies each semester. Students can obtain a description of the current version at the Jewish Studies office.

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

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.

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. The course will be offered in English.

Law, geography, education, religion, politics, eastern and western communities, and culture examined by experts in three fields. This course will be offered in English.

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.). This course will be offered in English.

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.

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