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Courses - Spring 2024
JWST
Jewish Studies Department Site
Open Seats as of
10/09/2024 at 05:30 PM
JWST225
Religions of the Ancient Near East
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU
Cross-listed with: RELS225, HIST219I.
Credit only granted for: JWST225, HIST219I, RELS225, or RELS219A.
Formerly: RELS219A.
Introduction to ancient Near Eastern religious systems and mythology, from the third millennium BCE through the fourth century BCE. Particular emphasis on Mesopotamia and ancient Israel.
JWST231
Jewish Texts and Cultures of the Second Temple Period
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU, DVUP
Cross-listed with: HIST291.
Credit only granted for: HIST291 or JWST231.
An introduction to the literature, history, and culture of Jews in the period between the sixth century BCE and the second century CE. Special topics may include the rise of the formation of the biblical canon, scriptural interpretation, sectarian and revolutionary movements, and growth of the diaspora.
JWST233
Why the Jews? Historical and Cultural Investigations
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS or DSHU, DVUP
Restriction: Must not have completed HIST282, HIST283, JWST234, or JWST235.
Cross-listed with HIST287.
Credit only granted for: JWST233 or HIST287.
Examines the history and culture of the Jews from the thirteenth century BCE/BC to the present through an examination of significant themes or problems (such as "religion" or "diaspora") that shape our understanding of the Jewish people. A primary focus in the course will be on texts, artifacts, and other cultural products by Jews and others that illustrate the history of the Jews help understand their cultural heritage.
JWST281
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: GERS141.
Credit only granted for: JWST281, GERM148Y or GERS141.
Introduction to the Yiddish language, with emphasis on speaking, reading, and writing skills. Students will also learn the history of the language, its significance to Jewish culture, its origins and basic structure.
JWST319A
Special Topics in Jewish Studies; Jews and Sports: Identities, Nationalisms, and Masculinities
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with HIST329Q. Credit only granted for JWST319A or HIST329Q.

Modern Jewish culture is marked by competing visions of Jewish masculinity, from the traditional learned scholar to the muscle Jew of the 19th century. Athleticism plays an important role in this cultural formation. Attention to Jewish engagement in and with sports including boxing, baseball, basketball, and soccer allows for a better understanding of modern Jewish identity and its development and challenges.
JWST319P
Arts & Humanities in Social Innovation, Change, and Justice: Do Good Now
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU or DSSP, SCIS
Cross-listed with: ARHU380.
Credit only granted for: ARHU380, BSOS388B, JWST319P, or PLCY388D.
The course serves as the core course for the Arts-and-Humanities track in PLCY's minor in "Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation." Students will be introduced to the role that the Arts and Humanities can play in social innovation and social change, while exploring various mechanisms for achieving impact with a focus on advancing social justice, equity and systems change. This course deepens understandings of nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship and social innovation by guiding students through the creation and implementation of social change projects and ventures of their choice.
Cross-listed with ARHU380. For Spring 2022: Credit granted only for JWST319P, ARHU380, BSOS388B, or PLCY388D.

The course serves as the core course for the Arts-and-Humanities track in PLCY's minor in "Nonprofit Leadership and Social Innovation." Students will be introduced to the role that the Arts and Humanities can play in social innovation and social change, while exploring various mechanisms for achieving impact with a focus on advancing social justice, equity and systems change. This course deepens understandings of nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship and social innovation by guiding students through the creation and implementation of social change projects and ventures of their choice.
JWST319T
Special Topics in Jewish Studies; American Jewish Comedy: From the Marx Brothers to "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with CINE329I. Credit only granted for CINE329I or JWST319T.

Since the turn of the 20th century, from the films of the Marx Brothers to current tv series, internet shows, and stand-up comics, comedy has served to express Jewish Americanness, and at the same time has defined much of American cultural life in a broad sense. This course will explore comedy as an expression of both American Jewish identity and American culture writ large, across several media: literature, television, film, the internet, graphic literature, stand-up, and theater.
JWST319W
Special Topics in Jewish Studies; Israeli Slang
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with HEBR398W and ISRL349W. Credit only granted for HEBR398W, ISRL349W, or JWST319W.

Examination of the history, linguistics, politics and sociology of Modern Israeli Hebrew slang, including influences from popular American culture, technology, the military, Arabic and immigrant group languages. Taught in English; course materials in Hebrew with translation.
JWST324
Biblical History and Culture
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: HIST321.
Credit only granted for: HIST321, or JWST324.
Study of the political, social, and religious development of the Jewish nation from its inception to its return from exile in Babylonia around 536 C.E. Focus on biblical texts, archeological finds, and source materials from neighboring cultures to reconstruct political history and the development of religious concepts.
JWST331
Early Christianity: Jesus to Constantine
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with: HIST320.
Credit only granted for: HIST320 or JWST331.
Social and religious history of early Christianity from its origin in the first century to the reign of Constantine.
Cross-listed with HIST320. Credit granted for JWST331 or HIST320.
JWST341
American Jewish Literature
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with ENGL331.
Credit only granted for: ENGL331 or JWST341.
An exploration of the role played by literature in the development of American Jewish ethnic identity. Primary materials include essays, poetry, plays, short stories, novels, films and music.
JWST386
Experiential Learning in Jewish Studies
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: Permission of ARHU-Meyerhoff Program & Center for Jewish Studies.
Restriction: Junior standing or higher.
The Jewish Studies Program's internship program. Pre-professional experience in research, analysis, and writing related to Jewish Studies in a variety of work settings.
JWST409G
Research Seminar in Jewish Studies; Jewish Women in Modernity
Credits: 3 - 4
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Exploration of the role of Jewish women in the process of Jewish modernization and the impact of modernization on Jewish women in Europe and America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
JWST418
(Perm Req)
Honors Thesis Research in Jewish Studies
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
Contact department for information to register for this course.
JWST419G
Special Topics in Jewish Studies; Gilgamesh
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
JWST499
(Perm Req)
Independent Study in Jewish Studies; Independent Study in Jewish Studies
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: permission of department.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
JWST499B
Independent Study in Jewish Studies; Advanced Archaeology of Jerusalem
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
JWST609
(Perm Req)
Supervised Instruction-Practicum in Jewish Studies
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department for information to register for this course.
JWST799
(Perm Req)
Masters Thesis Research
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Prerequisite: permission of department.
Contact department for information to register for this course.