The Elie Wiesel Center is pleased to offer a wide range of courses for the upcoming semester, in Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, and Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies. For a full list of Fall 2026 courses, scroll down.
Click here for all Jewish Studies courses.
Click here for all HGHRS courses.
We also have a list of all courses offered at the Elie Wiesel Center, sorted by Hub Units. Click here, and if you have further questions about a specific course, please contact us at ewcjs@bu.edu.
CASJS 100: World Cultures of the Jews
MWF 10:10 – 11am
Prof. Ingrid Anderson
4 credits
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.
Hub: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration
CASJS 110: Judaism
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Jonathan Klawans
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.
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking.
CASJS 120: The Bible
MWF 12:20 – 1:10pm
Prof. Michael Zank
4 credits
Introduction to the great canonical anthologies of Jews and Christians. Students will learn to read for historical context and genre conventions; study classical and modern strategies of interpretation; and create a collaborative commentary or piece of “fan-fiction.”
Hub: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Creativity/Innovation.
CASJS 121: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
TR 11:00am – 12:15pm
Instructor TBA
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 controversies and concerns.
Hub: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation.
CASJS 150: Introduction to Jewish History
MWF 1:25 – 2:10pm
Dr. Matthew Creighton
Explores history of Jews across the globe from beginnings to the present. Highlights the diversity of Jewish experiences, identifies patterns of continuity and evolution, situates Jewish history in larger contexts, and limns various modes of interaction with other groups.
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration.
CASJS 255: Modern Judaism
Mts w/ CAS RN 328 / GRS RN 628 / STX TX 828
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Steven Katz
4 credits
Encounters between Judaism and modernity from the Renaissance and Reformation; the Spanish expulsion and creation of Jewish centers in the New World; emancipation and its consequences; assimilation, Reform Judaism, Zionism, the American Jewish community, non-European communities, Jewish global migration, and modern antisemitism.
Hub: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
CASJS 258: Antisemitism and the Holocaust in America
M 2:30 – 5:15pm
Prof. Nancy Harrowitz
4 credits
Prerequisite: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASWR 100 or WR 120).
Antisemitism during the twentieth century in the United States, represented in cinema and histories: eugenics and racialist movements, racism and antisemitism, antisemitic propaganda, Nazi spies in New York and Boston, impact of the Holocaust, post-Holocaust bias, social exclusions, antisemitism today
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Teamwork/Collaboration, Writing-Intensive Course.
CASJS 260: The Holocaust
TR 3:30 – 4:45pm
Prof. Steven Katz
4 credits
Rise of German (and European) antisemitism; rise of Nazism; 1935 Nuremberg Laws; the initial Jewish reaction; racial theory; organizing mass murder including ghettos, concentration camps, killing squads, and gas chambers; bystanders and collaborators (countries, organizations, and individuals); Jewish resistance; post-Holocaust religious responses; moral and ethical issues.
Hub: Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
CASJS 281: Advanced Modern Hebrew: Voices in Israeli Society
MWF 12:20 – 1:10pm
Mira Angrist
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLH212) or the equivalent as determined by placement test.
This course provides advanced language practice and introduction to globally diverse groups in Israeli society: Orthodox and secular, immigrants and veteran immigrants, Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Jews, Arab-Israelis and more. Through reading a variety of academic and newspapers articles, short stories, poems and viewing interviews, documentaries and movies, students will enhance their interpretation, writing and oral skills while acquiring fundamental knowledge about ethnic/religious/national/social diversity in Israel.
Hub: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
CASJS 283: Israeli Culture through Film (in English translation)
TR 2:00 – 3:15pm
Dr. Ofrá Amihay
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar (WR 120 or equivalent)
Israeli society, from its origins to contemporary times, through the medium of film. Topics include immigration; war; the ongoing impact of the Holocaust on Israeli society; trials of women; war; the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Introduction to film analysis and interpretive methods.
Hub: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration.
CASJS 285: Israel: History, Politics, Culture, Identity
Mts w/ CAS HI 392 / LH 284
W 2:30 – 5:15pm
Dr. Ofrá Amihay
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
Using a broad array of readings, popular music, documentaries, film and art, this course explores Israel’s political system, culture, and society, including the status of minorities in the Jewish state; post-1967 Israeli settlement projects; and the struggle for Israel’s identity.
Hub: Writing-Intensive Course, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking.
CASJS 286: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Mts w/ CAS HI 393
Section A1: TR 2:00 – 3:15pm with Prof. Nahum Karlinsky
Section B1: TR 3:30 – 4:45pm with Dr. Dotan Greenvald
4 credits
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.
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
CASJS 345: The Legacies of Elie Wiesel
MWF 11:15am – 12:05pm
Dr. Matthew Creighton
4 credits
Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASEN 120 or WR 100 or WR 120).
Elie Wiesel’s testimony “Night” is the most read and discussed Holocaust memoir in the world. Wiesel also wrote about and practiced political activism, philosophy, and human rights as well as fiction. This course explores the depth of Wiesel’s thought, his profound impact, and his legacies.
Hub: Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings, Research and Information Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course.
CASJS 348: Philosophy and Mysticism: Jewish and Islamic Perspectives
Mts w/CAS RN338 / GRS RN638 / CAS PH495 / STH TT811
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Diana Lobel
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASEN 120 or WR 100 or WR 120).
A thematic introduction to mysticism and philosophy, with a focus on the dynamics of religious experience. Readings will be drawn from medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy; Sufi mysticism and philosophy; Kabbalah, Sufi poetry, Hebrew poetry from the Golden Age of Muslim Spain.
Hub: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings.
CASJS 355: Jews of the Arab World. History, Transformation, Memory
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Dr. Dotal Greenvald
4 credits
This course highlights the overlooked histories of Jews from Arab world, exploring their communities across the Middle East and North Africa, tracing coexistence, exchange, and displacement, and examining how modern Mizrahi identities reshape belonging, memory, and Arab–Jewish cultural connections.
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course.
CASJS 367: The Holocaust Through Film
Mts w/ CAS CI 387 / XL 387
TR 11:00am – 12:15pm
Dr. Ofrá Amihay
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120).
An examination of film using the Holocaust as its central topic. What are the political and cultural effects when genocide is represented through film? Can feature films portray history, and if so, what are the consequences for an informed society?
Hub: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing-Intensive Course.
CASHI 271: The Nazis
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Jonathan Zatlin
4 credits
Explores the rise and fall of Europe’s most notorious mass movement through film, diaries, party documents, and other sources. Considers the impact of Nazi rule on art, finance, politics, and family life. Analyzes the mass murder and destruction caused by Nazi rule. This course counts as European History for the History major.
Hub: Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
CASPO 333: Democratic Erosion
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
Prof. Steven Rosenzweig
4 credits
Trends in American and European politics have engendered fears about a turn toward authoritarianism where it was once unthinkable. This course explores the causes and consequences of democratic erosion, helping students to put recent developments into comparative and historical perspective.
Hub: Social Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
CASPO 519: Inequality and American Politics
R 8:00 – 10:45am
Prof. Katherine Einstein
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
This course examines the role of income inequality in shaping American politics and policy. Combining research from history, political science, economics, and public policy scholars, we will consider a range of important topics, including inequality in public voice, money and politics, and attitudes towards redistribution. We will apply this knowledge as part of a final paper project in metropolitan Boston.
Hub: The Individual in Community, Writing-Intensive Course, Research and Information Literacy.
SPHLW 740: Health and Human Rights
T 10:00am – 12:05pm
Prof. Sondra Crosby
4 credits
Graduate Prerequisites: (SPHPH719) or consent of instructor.
This course focuses on health and it is closely linked to the realization of human rights. Preventable illness, infant mortality, and premature death, for example, are closely tied to societal discrimination and violation of human rights. This course explores the relationship between human rights and health by examining relevant international declarations in historical context, exploring the meaning of “human rights” and “health,” and analyzing specific case studies that illuminate the problems, prospects, and potential methods of promoting health by promoting human rights on the national and international levels.