Courses

The College of Arts and Sciences Elie Wiesel Center for Judaic Studies offers a wide array of courses in Jewish studies, for the most part through the departments of Religion, History, Modern Languages and Comparative Literature. Courses range from Hebrew and other ancient and modern Jewish languages and literatures, to classes in Jewish history, thought, and religious practice from the Bible to contemporary Jewish culture and politics in America, Israel, and elsewhere. Many of our classes fulfill general educational requirements, count toward degrees in history, religion, international relations, or can be taken as electives.

If you are not sure which of these excellent classes is for you, please don’t hesitate to contact the instructor or call Michael Zank, EWCJS, at 617.353.4434 (email: mzank@bu.edu).

Fall 2013 Courses

These are some of the courses offered in Fall 2012. For a full list of classes, follow the links on the sidebar.

Topics in the History of Israel

CAS HI 393 (4 credits)

Special topics in the history of Israel. Topics differ from year to year. Topic for Fall 2013: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The challenges of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, historical trajectories, conflicting narratives,and possible solutions through primary sources and film. Students present reflections on the history of the conflict, debate its future implications, and discuss challenges both societies are facing.

2013FALLCASHI393 A1, Sep 3rd to Dec 10th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
TR 09:30:00 AM 11:00:00 AM REL 404 Jacobson

Fundamentals of Modern Hebrew 1

CAS LH 111 (4 credits)

For students with no previous knowledge of Hebrew or minimal background. Introduction to the language of contemporary Israel. Fundamentals of grammar, extensive practice in speaking, reading, and writing about topics such as getting acquainted, learning and living situations. Curriculum incorporates technology and original Israeli materials.

2013FALLCASLH111 A1, Sep 3rd to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 11:00:00 AM 12:00:00 PM CAS 233 Angrist
T 11:00:00 AM 12:00:00 PM CAS 538 Angrist

Intermediate Modern Hebrew 1

CAS LH 211 (4 credits)

Reinforces and expands vocabulary, grammar and language structures, leading to a deeper comprehension of style and usage. Focuses on language skills (speaking and writing) and performing more complex tasks such as comparing, narrating, describing, reasoning, and discussing topics beyond the immediate environment.

2013FALLCASLH211 A1, Sep 3rd to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 12:00:00 PM 01:00:00 PM CAS 538 Angrist
T 12:00:00 PM 01:00:00 PM CAS 323A Angrist

Advanced Modern Hebrew: Voices in Israeli Society

CAS LH 311 (4 credits)

Advanced language practice and introduction to diverse groups in Israeli society - Orthodox and secular, immigrants and old-timers, Mizrachi and Ashkenazi Jews. Develops Hebrew proficiency in all language modalities while acquainting students with contemporary Israeli culture through texts, songs, films.

2013FALLCASLH311 A1, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 09:00:00 AM 10:00:00 AM CAS 223 Angrist

The Bible

CAS RN 101 (4 credits)

Introductory study of Jewish and Christian scriptures; connections between biblical and related ancient cultures; biblical genres (epic narrative, law, prophecy, poetry, historiography, gospels, letters, apocalypse) and their literary character, major classical and modern strategies of reading. Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS.

2013FALLCASRN101 A1, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 11:00:00 AM 12:00:00 PM CAS 326 Zank
2013FALLCASRN101 A2, Sep 9th to Dec 9th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
M 03:00:00 PM 04:00:00 PM CAS 218 Zank
2013FALLCASRN101 A3, Sep 3rd to Dec 10th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
T 10:00:00 AM 11:00:00 AM KCB 103 Zank
2013FALLCASRN101 A4, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
W 12:00:00 PM 01:00:00 PM MCS B23 Zank

Religions of the World: Western

CAS RN 104 (4 credits)

Islam, Christianity, and Judaism in historical and cultural context, origins to the present. Examines diversity of practices, belief systems, and social structures within these religions. Also addresses debates within and between communities as well as contemporary concerns.Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS.

2013FALLCASRN104 A1, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 10:00:00 AM 11:00:00 AM CAS 325 Klepper

Judaism

CAS RN 216 (4 credits)

Systematic and historical introduction to doctrines, customs, literature, and movements of Judaism; biblical religion and literature; rabbinic life and thought; medieval mysticism and philosophy; modern movement and developments.

2013FALLCASRN216 A1, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
MWF 01:00:00 PM 02:00:00 PM REL 404 Klawans

The Open Heaven: Apocalyptic Literature in Early Judaism and Christianity

CAS RN 308 (4 credits)

Examines literary and historical roots of "apocalypticism" in early Judaism and Christianity. Attention to literary genre, symbolism, metaphor, heaven, hell, angelology, demonology, attitudes toward the end of the world. Examines relationship of apocalypticism to shamanism, mysticism, magic, magic, gnosticism, liturgy.

2013FALLCASRN308 A1, Sep 4th to Dec 11th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
W 06:00:00 PM 09:00:00 PM REL 404 Frankfurter

Classical Jewish Thought

CAS RN 323 (4 credits)

Basic human and religious issues as they have been understood within the classical Jewish framework of God, the people of Israel, and Torah: good and evil, creation, the relationship of human beings to God and to one another.

2013FALLCASRN323 A1, Sep 3rd to Dec 10th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
TR 02:00:00 PM 03:30:00 PM CAS 223 Lobel

Jewish Mysticism I: Formative Traditions

CAS RN 325 (4 credits)

Analysis of the development of Jewish mysticism from the biblical to the early medieval era. Emphasis on the forms of mysticism--and the texts in which they are embedded--from the rabbinic era. No knowledge of Hebrew is required.

2013FALLCASRN325 A1, Sep 3rd to Dec 10th 2013
Days Start End Type Bldg Room Instructor
TR 12:30:00 PM 02:00:00 PM JSC 201 Katz
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