The Elie Wiesel Center is pleased to offer a wide range of courses this semester, in Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, and Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies. For a full list of all spring courses, scroll down.
Click here for all Jewish Studies courses.
Click here for all Israel Studies courses.
Click here for all Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies (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.
SPRING 2026 COURSE LIST
JS 100: World Cultures of the Jews
Prof. Ingrid Anderson
MWF 10:10-11:00am
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 Units: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration
JS 121: Judaism, Christianity, Islam
RN 104
Prof. Jonathan Klawans
MWF 12:20-1:10pm
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 Units: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation.
JS 136: Jewish Literature
EN 126 / XL 236
Prof. Abigail Gillman
TR 9:30 – 10:45am
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or WR 120).
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.
Hub Units: Aesthetic Exploration, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
JS 246: Jewish Mysticism
RN 326
Dr. Yair Lior
MWF 11:15am – 12:05pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar (CAS WR 120 or equivalent)
This course explores the rich world of Jewish Mysticism from its earliest roots to its contemporary expressions in the 21st century. We look at the interaction between Jewish mystics and major western schools of thought such as Gnosticism, Neoplatonism, Aristotelianism, and Sufism. The course also introduces students to the Kabbalistic tradition and its various historical manifestations. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or other themes in Jewish studies required.
Hub Units: Writing-Intensive Course, Aesthetic Exploration, Teamwork/Collaboration.
JS 150: Introduction to Jewish History
HI 150
Dr. Matthew Creighton
MWF 12:20 – 1:10pm
4 credits
This course will introduce students to the history of the Jewish people, one that stretches across more than 3 millennia and whose vibrancy continues to the present day. Over the semester we will track the origins of the Jews in the Ancient Near East through their slow yet steady scattering across the globe, ever shaping and being shaped by the civilizations and cultures they encountered. By means of a wide variety of sources (textual, visual, aural), we will pay close attention to the sources of Jewish identity and continuity.
No prior knowledge of the subject is needed to enroll; students from all colleges and backgrounds are welcome.
Hub Units: Historical Consciousness; Oral and/or Signed Communication; Teamwork/Collaboration Learning Outcomes
JS 252: History of Judaism
RN 322
Prof. Steven Katz
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
4 credits
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.
Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
JS 260: The Holocaust
RN 384
Prof. Steven Katz
TR 3:30 – 4:45pm
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 Units: Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.
JS 365: Music and the Holocaust
Instructor: Mark Ludwig
M 2:30 – 5:15pm
4 credits
Undergraduate prerequisite: First-Year writing seminar (CASWR 100 or 120.)
History and music of composers targeted during the Holocaust: classical music, jazz, and cabaret musical styles banned as “degenerate” by the Nazis. Particular focus on the art and music created in the Terezín (Theresienstadt) concentration camp.
Hub Units: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Writing-Intensive Course.
JS 367: The Holocaust Through Film
XL 387
Dr. Ofra Amihay
Section A1: MWF 10:10am – 11:00 am
Section B2: MWF 11:15am – 12:05pm
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 Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing- Intensive Course.
JS 283: Israeli Culture Through Film (in English Translation)
LH 283, CI 270
Dr. Ofra Amihay
M 2:30 – 5:15pm
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 Units: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration.
JS 285: Israel: History, Politics, Culture, Identity
HI 392, LH 284
Instructor: Nahum Karlinsky
TR 12:30 – 1:45pm
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 Units: Writing- Intensive Course, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking.
JS 286: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
HI 393
Section A1: Prof. Nahum Karlinsky, TR 2:00 – 3:15pm
Section B1: Dr. Dotan Greenvald, W 2:30 – 5:15pm
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 Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
JS 379: Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism
RN 249
Prof. Adam Seligman
MWF 12:20 – 1:10pm
4 credits
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.
Hub Units: Ethical Reasoning, The Individual in Community, Teamwork/Collaboration.
JS 380: Israeli Culture Through Media
LH 340
Instructor: Mira Angrist
MWF 12:20 – 1:10pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASLH212) or equivalent.
An advanced Hebrew language course, which uses as its “textbook” Israeli newspapers, television, and online news media. Students follow current events in Israel (politics, business, sports, etc.); compare coverage in diverse outlets; speak and write knowledgeably about Israeli society.
Hub Units: Ethical Reasoning, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
SPH LW 740: Health and Human Rights
Prof. Sondra Crosby
T 10:00am – 12:50pm
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.
CAS HI 539: Nazis on Film
Prof. Jonathan Zatlin
T 3:30 – 6:15pm
4 Credits
Explores changing representations of Nazis on the silver screen, from celebrations of the “Third Reich” to post-1945 depictions of Nazis as evil. Focuses on the longing for strong leadership, pleasure at inflicting pain on enemies, fear of others, and racism.
Hub Units: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness.
CAS PO 333: Democratic Erosion
Prof. Steven Rosenzweig
TR 8:00 – 9:15am
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 Units: Social Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Research and Information Literacy.
CAS PO 334: Political Violence
Prof. Steven Rosenzweig
TR 9:30 – 10:45am
4 Credits
Explores the concept of political violence and the dynamics of violent political behavior. Critically examines the causes and consequences of political violence around the world. Topics include civil war, government repression and disciplining, electoral violence, riots and demonstrations, vigilante and intercommunal violence. Comparative perspectives with a particular emphasis on the Global South.
Hub Units: Social Inquiry II, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking.
CAS PO 508: The Judiciary and Civil Liberties
Prof. David Glick
T 3:30 – 6:15pm
4 Credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
First Amendment rights of speech, press, assembly, religion; rights of defendants in criminal cases; and the constitutional protection of racial minorities. Supreme Court decision-making processes and modes of compliance with its decisions are also considered.
Hub Units: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Historical Consciousness.
CAS IR 453: Forced Migration and Human Trafficking
Prof. Noora Lori
M 2:30 – 5:15pm
4 Credits
Causes and impact of forced migration and human trafficking. Role of conflict and state formation; emergence of international human rights and domestic asylum laws; role of international organizations, private sector and security forces in both combating and enabling human trafficking.
CAS IR 312: Comparative Development in the Middle East
PO 369
Prof. Shamiran Mako
MW 10:10 – 11:25am
4 Credits
This course surveys pertinent topics relating to the socio-economic and political development of the Middle East and North African throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will explore and critical analyze themes relating to colonialism and state formation and statebuilding, regime types, oil and rentierism, civil society, authoritarianism and democratization, military spending, gender relations, Islamist movements, elections, revolutions and social movements, territorial disputes, foreign intervention, and sectarianism and identity politics.
Hub Units: Social Inquiry I, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Critical Thinking.
CAS LY 112: Elementary Modern Arabic 2
Section A1: Prof. Giselle Khoury-Disano, MWF 10:10 – 11:00am
Section B1: Master Lecturer Luluah Mustafa, MWF 11:15am – 12:05pm
4 Credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASLY111
Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Novice High level. Expands vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities.
Hub Units: The Individual in Community.
CAS LY 212: Second Year Modern Arabic 2
Prof. Giselle Khoury-Disano
MWF 11:15am – 12:05pm
4 Credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASLY211
Advances proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic to the Intermediate Mid level. Expands vocabulary repertoire. Practice speaking, listening, reading, writing using engaging materials and real-life communicative activities.
Hub Units: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.