JS Courses Available in the following  Hub areas (Click the link to see):

Interdisciplinary Courses

World Cultures of the Jews

CAS JS 100 (4 Credits) 

MWF 1:25-2:15 PM 

Introduces students to the study of Judaism in its many forms, by exploring Jewish communities across the globe today, their different historical origins and cultural contexts, and strategies of preserving cohesion and transnational solidarity. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.

Instructor: Professor Matthew Creighton

Sacred Texts and Comparative Traditions

Judaism, Christianity, Islam

CAS JS 121 (4 Credits)

TR 2:00-3:15 PM

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 controversies and concerns. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation.

Instructor: Professor Jonathan Klawans

Jewish Literature and Thought

Jewish Literature

CAS JS 136 (4 Credits)

TR 12:30-1:45 PM

How do changing notions of ethnicity and race, religion, and gender, as well as geographical place define Jewish family and community? Topics include immigration, diaspora, and national culture; patriotism, antisemitism, and multiculturalism; Jewish identities and gender; conversion, assimilation, and acculturation. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.

Instructor: Professor Abigail Gillman

History and Holocaust

Holy City: Jerusalem in Time, Space, and Imagination

CAS JS 250 (4 Credits)

TR 12:30-1:45 PM

Transformation of an ordinary ancient city into the holy city of Jews, Christians, and Muslims; and development of modern Jerusalem, as shaped by British rule, Zionism, and Palestinian nationalism. Jerusalem’s past, present, and meanings considered through analyses of religious and secular rhetoric. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking.

Instructor: Professor Michael Zank

History of Judaism

CAS JS 252 (4 Credits)

TR 12:30-1:45 PM

This class surveys Jewish history from the classical period to modern times. It covers: the destruction of the 1st Temple; the encounter with Hellenism; the Roman period; the destruction of the 2nd Temple; the rise and influence of rabbinic Judaism; the medieval era under Muslim and Christian rule; medieval antisemitism; Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah); and philosophy (Maimonides). For the modern era we discuss: the Renaissance; the Reformation; the complex issue of Emancipation; coming to America; the growth of American Judaism; religious reform; modern antisemitism; and Zionism. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.

Instructor: Professor Steven T. Katz

Representations of the Holocaust in Literature and Film

CAS JS 261 (4 Credits)

TR 2:00-3:15 PM

How can we understand the impact of the Holocaust and its ongoing legacies? Holocaust representation in literature, film and memorials, including discussions of bystander complicity and societal responsibilities, testimonial and fictive works by Wiesel and Levi, documentaries and feature films. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness.

Instructor: Professor Alissa Leigh-Valles

Fascism and the Holocaust in Italy

CAS JS 366 (4 Credits)

TR 11:00-12:15 PM

The Fascist regime and the Holocaust in Italy: how the civic status of Italian Jews changed from the beginnings of discrimination against them to deportations of 1943, posing larger questions about bigotry and racism, and the role of bystander complicity. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness.

Instructor: Professor Nancy Harrowitz

Religion, Community, Culture in Medieval Spain

CAS RN 410 / CAS HI 410 (4 Credits)

M 2:30-5:15 PM

Interactions between Muslims, Christians, and Jews in medieval Europe’s most religiously diverse region — from the establishment of an Islamic al-Andalus in 711 CE to the final Christian “reconquest” of the peninsula and expulsion of the Jews in 1492 CE.

Instructor: Professor Deeana Klepper

Seminar on the Holocaust

CAS JS 460 (4 Credits)

TR 9:30-10:45 AM

This course will examine historical, ethical and religious issues arising from the Holocaust. We will discuss antisemitism and ideology; what communities were considered “other”; human motivation regarding collaborators, perpetrators and bystanders; the role of individuals, organizations and governments; the treatment of women; the ethics of resistance; the behavior of the Jewish Councils; and attitudes to the existence of God during and after the Holocaust. We will also compare the Holocaust to contemporary crises now occurring around the world. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness.

Instructor: Professor Steven T. Katz

Contemporary Jewish Societies and Cultures, including Israel Studies

Israeli Popular Music (in Hebrew)

CAS JS 280 (4 Credits)

MWF 12:20-1:10 PM 

Advanced-intermediate Hebrew language and culture course for those who have completed at least four semesters’ college Hebrew or equivalent. Introduction to Israeli cultural history through music. Students expand vocabulary and further develop writing, reading, listening, and conversational skills in Hebrew. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation.

Instructor: Professor Mira Angrist

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

CAS JS 286 (4 Credits)

TR 2:00-3:15 PM

History of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, analysis of conflicting narratives through primary sources and film. Students present their own reflections on the conflict and debate possibilities of resolution. Counts toward majors and minors in History, International Relations, Middle East & North Africa Studies, and Jewish Studies. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.

Instructor: Professor Nahum Karlinsky

Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism

CAS JS 379 (4 Credits)

MWF 11:15-12:05 PM 

Explores historical and contemporary manifestations of Islamophobia and Antisemitism. Students are exposed to wide range of relevant written and visual texts as well as theoretical approaches. Includes active learning component and collaborative presentations by students. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.

Instructor: Professor Adam Seligman and Kecia Ali