Chair: Annelise Orleck
Professors S. Ackerman (Religion), H. M. Ermarth (History), L. H. Glinert (AMELL), R. M. Green (Religion), L. D. Kritzman (French), T. H. Luxon (English), A. Orleck (History), B. P. Scherr (Russian), I. T. Schweitzer (English), C. S. Wilder (History); Associate Professors E. Z. Benor (Religion), S. Heschel (Religion), I. Kacandes (German), A. K. Reinhart (Religion), M. F. Zeiger (English); Assistant Professors V. Fuechtner (German), A. Merino (Spanish and Portuguese); Senior Lecturer B. S. Kreiger (English); Lecturers M. A. Bronski (Women's and Gender Studies), M. Huq (Women's and Gender Studies), S. E. Kangas (Art History), K. F. Milich, D. Rupnow; Visiting Brownstone Assistant Professor J. Karp; Adjunct Professor A. Lelchuk (Liberal Studies); Adjunct Assistant Professor M. B. Brown.
The Jewish Studies Program serves to provide a multi-disciplinary focal point for the various courses in Jewish history, religion, literature, and culture that are given at Dartmouth as well as to sponsor special course offerings (including those by the annual Brownstone Visiting Professor) and a variety of academic activities related to the discipline. The program currently offers a minor.
JEWISH STUDIES MINOR
The minor is designed to offer a general introduction to the historical and cultural experience of Jews throughout the world, and to Jewish thought, literature, and contemporary political and social issues. At the same time, it provides the opportunity for students who wish to do more intensive work in a single discipline. Those completing the minor are encouraged, but not required, to obtain at least a working knowledge of Hebrew (Hebrew 3, or equivalent).
Requirements: A total of six courses, which must include:
Two Introductory courses
Jewish Studies 4/Religion 4, Religion of Israel: The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), or Jewish Studies 6/Religion 6, Introduction to Judaism
And
Jewish Studies 10/History 94.8, History and Culture of the Jews I: The Classical Period or Jewish Studies 11/History 94.9, History and Culture of the Jews II: The Modern Period
One course in the Literature, Language and Culture of the Jewish People
Three courses chosen from the other course offerings in the program, selected in consultation with the advisor.
COURSES
Please note that the numbering for Jewish Studies courses has changed in order to better communicate the organization of the program.
INTRODUCTORY COURSES
4. Religion of Israel: The Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) (Identical to, and described under, Religion 4)
07W: 2
Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: W. Ackerman
6. Introduction to Judaism (Identical to, and described under, Religion 6)
06F, 07F: 12
Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: W. Benor
7. First-Year Seminars in Jewish Studies
Consult special listings
10. History and Culture of the Jews I: The Classical Period (Identical to History 94.8)
06F: 10 07X: 11
A survey of the history and culture of the Jews from the post-Biblical period to the Middle Ages. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: SOC; WCult: W. Karp (06F), Heschel (07X).
11. History and Culture of the Jews II: The Modern Period (Identical to History 94.9)
08W: 11
A continuation of Jewish Studies 10, but may be taken independently. This course provides a survey of Jewish history and culture from the European enlightenment to the establishment of the State of Israel. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: SOC; WCult: W. Heschel.
16. Introduction to Hebrew and Israeli Culture (Identical to Hebrew 10 and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies 17; described under Hebrew 10)
07S, 08S: 10A
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Glinert.
LITERATURE, LANGUAGE, AND CULTURE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE
21. Jewish American Literature (Identical to English 67.10)
08S: 12
The content of Jewish American Literature reflects that of many literatures including the broad variety of historical, political, social, and cultural experiences that Jews from very different places and backgrounds have brought to the United States. The course introduces students to the central topics, motives, and literary strategies from the beginnings of a tangible Jewish American literature in the late nineteenth century to the present. Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: NA. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: CI. Milich.
22. Jews and Hollywood (Identical to Film Studies 47)
07F: 10A
This course will look at the complex, rich tradition of Jewish artists as well as the history of representations of Jews in film. We will focus on American films and examine how Jews became American and how American culture became Jewish. Topics will include: the role of Jews in the creation of the product and myth of Hollywood, how anti-semetism shaped images of Jews in film, and how mainstream film has shaped contemporary Jewish identity. Dist: ART. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: NA. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: W. Bronski.
NOTE: Hebrew language courses are offered in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures.
24.1 The Hebrew of the Bible (Identical to, and described under, Hebrew 51)
07S, 08S: 2A
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Glinert.
24.2 Jewish Humor and Its Roots: Rabbis, Rogues, and Schlemeils (Identical to Hebrew 63 and Comparative Literature 41; described under Hebrew 63)
06F: 2A
Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: W. Glinert.
24.4 Struggle and Rebirth in Hebrew and Yiddish Literature (Identical to, and described under, Hebrew 61, pending approval)
07F: 2A
Dist: LIT; WCult: NW. Glinert.
26. European Jewish Intellectuals (Identical to, and described under, Comparative Literature 70)
06F: 2A
Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: W. Kritzman.
27. Jewish Women Writers (Identical to English 67.11 and Women's and Gender Studies 51.5, pending approval)
08S: 10A
Surveying women writers of Jewish background and identity, this course addresses who is a "Jewish woman writer," a subset of the larger question of ethnic, national, and religious identity and identification in literary studies. The course will examine a variety of mostly U.S. and Latin American writers and genres and will include Emma Lazarus, Mary Antin, Anzia Yezierska, Jo Sinclair, Cynthia Ozick, Tillie Olsen, Grace Paley, Muriel Ruykeser, Irena Kepfisz, Wendy Wasserstein, Allegra Goodman, and Marjorie Angosin. Schweitzer.
TOPICS IN THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE
33. Blacks and Jews in American Cultural History (Identical to History 6)
06F: 12
This course goes beyond standard treatments of the topic that emphasize the history of political alliances and antagonisms between Jews and African Americans. It focuses instead on spheres of cultural confluence and conflict, such as religion, music, and film against a backdrop of shifting ideologies. Its ultimate aim is to grasp how the interaction of groups like Blacks and Jews has helped to reshape the broader contours of American cultural life. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: NA. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: SOC; WCult: W. Karp.
33. American Jewish History (Identical to, and described under, History 6, pending approval)
08W: 10A
Orleck.
37.1 History of the Holocaust (Identical to History 58)
07W: 2A
The focus of this course will be on the history of the murder of European Jews and the destruction of European Judaism at the hands of the Nazis. After surveying the history of racism in European society from the 18th to 20th century, the course investigates, from perspectives of history, psychology, literature, philosophy, and religion, how bureaucracy could exterminate six million Jews. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: SOC; WCult: W. Heschel, Rupnow.
37.2 Burden of the Nazi Past: World War, Genocide, Population Transfer, and Firebombing (Identical to Comparative Literature 64 and German 43; described under Comparative Literature 64 and German 43)
08W: 10
Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: CI. Kacandes.
TOPICS IN THE POLITICS AND CULTURE OF ISRAEL
41.1 Archaeology of Israel: From Prehistory to the Roman Period (Identical to Art History 17.3)
07W: 11
This course will examine the archeology of Israel from prehistory through the early Roman period, with emphasis on cultural interactions and their material manifestations. Ancient Israel was a crossroads where many different cultures met. Home to Canaanites and Israelites, Israel successively experienced the cultural and artistic impact of Egyptians, Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans, who either invaded this region or came into contact with it through a variety of more peaceful processes. Dist: ART; WCult: NW. Kangas.
41.2 Archaeology, Religion, and Society in Roman Palestine (Identical to Art History 16, pending approval)
08W: 11
The Greco-Roman era in the ancient Near East is crucial for understanding the evolution of Judaism and the emergence of Christianity. This course will examine the archeological, historical, and art historical evidence for the development of Judaism and Christianity beginning with the First Century B.C.E. Topics will include the study of Jerusalem and its Temple, the archeological evidence surrounding the life and death of Jesus, and the art and architecture of the first synagogues and churches. Dist: ART; WCult: NW. Kangas.
JUDAISM, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY
52. Judaism, Sexuality, and Queerness (Identical to Women's and Gender Studies 65.1)
08S: 2A
This class will examine the intersections between gender formation, sexual identity, sexual practice, religious practice, cultural identity, and personal belief. Drawing upon contemporary gender theory, religious texts, and current interpretations of Jewish thought and culture in the works of Judith Halberstam, Marilyn Halter, Rachel Adler, Sander Gilman, Miriam Peskowitz, Laura Levitt, and David Biale, we will examine the construction of Jewish identity as well as gender and sexual orientation through a feminist/queer lens. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: CI. Bronski.
JEWS, ETHNICITY, AND RACE
55. Performing National Identities: Representations of Blacks and Jews in U.S. Culture (Identical to English 67.9 and African and African American Studies 84)
07F: 2A
On many levels-cultural, political, economic, and especially mythological-Blacks and Jews in the US have had a special relationship. The history of this contact and its many flashpoints of conflict illuminate the idea of what it means to be/come an American. By looking at representations in film, literature, art, music, and history, we will consider how each imagines itself and narrates its relationship with the "other" in terms of class, gender, color, assimilation/separation, friendship , and family. Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: NA. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: CI. Schweitzer.
56. The Arab-Israeli conflict in Middle Eastern Literature and Film (pending faculty approval)
07F: 10A
This course will examine the Arab-Israeli conflict as portrayed in both Arabic and Hebrew/Israeli literary traditions - poetry, short story, novellas, literary essays, personal accounts, and also film, looking at how adversaries portray each other, how mutual stereotypes are created and reinforced, and how the conflict has shaped the development of these respective literary and cinematic traditions in substantially different ways. Bardenstein.
TOPICS IN JEWISH RELIGION
60. Classical and Medieval Judaism (Identical to, and described under, Religion 60)
08W: 2A
Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: W. Benor.
62. Jewish Mysticism (Identical to, and described under, Religion 62)
07W: 10
Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: W. Benor.
63. From Spinoza to Levinas: Varieties of Jewish Thought (Identical to, and described under, Religion 63)
07F: 10
Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: TMV; WCult: W. Benor.
SPECIAL TOPICS COURSES IN JEWISH STUDIES
70. The Jew in the Protestant Imagination: The Merchant of Venice (Identical to English 65.2 and Religion 81)
07S: 10A
This course will offer a close examination of Shakespeare's construction of "Jewishness," in the context of a larger review of Jewish history in medieval and early modern Europe. Dist: LIT. Class of 2007 and earlier: WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: WCult: W. Heschel, McKee.
SEMINAR IN JEWISH STUDIES
80. History of Holocaust Historiography (Identical to History 95)
07W: 3A
This seminar will examine several key issues in recent Holocaust historiography with particular attention to the center-periphery debate concerning the extent to which genocidal policy was controlled by Berlin or by German forces occupying regions in Eastern Europe. Additional issues concern feminist debates over Nazi natalist policies; consent or coercion as characterizing German civilian responses; application of social theory to concentration camps; the role of the churches; comparison of the Wehrmacht and the Italian army. Prerequisite for this seminar is prior knowledge of the history of the Holocaust and of Nazi Germany. Class of 2007 and earlier: Dist: PHR; WCult: EU. Class of 2008 and later: Dist: SOC; WCult: W. Heschel.
81. Constructions of Collective Memory and Identity: Readings in Theory and Practice (pending faculty approval)
07F: 2A
This course will examine a selection of theoretical works on the construction of collective memory, cultural memory, and collective identification and affiliation, with emphasis on modes of collective identity formation other than the national, including displacement, dispersion, diaspora, exile, trauma, catastrophe, as well as hybridization, minority configurations, second generation and "post-memory" formation. The course will look at the context of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and other Middle Eastern collective contexts. Bardenstein.
85. Independent Study and Research
All terms: Arrange
This course offers qualified students of Jewish Studies the opportunity to pursue work on a topic of special interest through an individually designed program. Requires permission of the instructor and the Chair.