For a full list of Spring 2026 courses and descriptions, scroll down.
Interdisciplinary Courses
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
Sacred Texts and Comparative Traditions
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.
Jewish Literature and Thought
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.
History and the Holocaust
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 253: Topics in Jewish History: Jews in the Americas
HI 323
Prof. Deeana Klepper
TR 3:30 – 4:45pm
4 credits
Course may be repeated if topic differs. Explores the History of Jews and Jewish Communities in various geographic, chronological, or thematic contexts. Topic for Spring 2026: History of Jews in the Americas. The history of Jews and Jewish communities in North America, South America, and the Caribbean from 1492-present, highlighting the diversity of Jewish experiences and Jews¿ engagement with other sectors of society.
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.
Contemporary Jewish Societies and Cultures, Including Israel Studies
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: Romy Neumark
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.