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Courses - Spring 2025
ISRL
Israel Studies
Open Seats as of
11/12/2024 at 07:30 PM
ISRL187
God, Land, Power, and the People: Moral Issues in the Jewish Historical Experience
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
GenEd: DSHS or DSHU, DVUP, SCIS
Cross-listed with: HIST187, JWST187.
Credit only granted for: HIST187, JWST187 or ISRL187.
Examines the complicated relationship between theology, nationalism, sovereignty, and the ethical exercise of social control using case studies drawn from the Jewish historical experience. The universal and age-old issues implicit in the exercise of power have gained special moral force for Jews with the creation of the State of Israel, a Jewish and a democratic state with substantial non-Jewish minorities and hundreds of thousands of non-citizen subjects. Can these be reconciled? Jewish efforts over the ages and in recent times to define justice provide concrete examples through which to examine and discuss crucial abstract principles.
ISRL249A
Selected Topics in Israel Studies; Black Cultural Activism in Israel
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with AASP298J and SOCY298E. Credit only granted for ISRL249A, AASP298J or SOCY298E.

This course explores cultural activism in Israel. Students will examine the struggles and power relations that exist in Israeli society, as expressed through the worlds of Israeli culture and arts with an emphasis on art, literature, music, theater, and cinema created by Ethiopian Israeli creators and activists who seek to advance socio-political change.
ISRL249O
Selected Topics in Israel Studies; Rational Irrationality: The Cultural Bedrock of Behavioral Economics
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with ECON298B. Credit only granted for ISRL249O or ECON298B.

The interdisciplinary course explores the intersection of culture, psychology, and economics in shaping the modern field of Behavioral Economics. Through a series of discussions, readings, and classroom exercises, students will develop their understanding of how cultural factors impact the development and role of Behavioral Economics in modern Israel and explore how we can harness its concepts in practice. Students will also explore the implications of cultural differences for policymaking and business practices. This will help develop a deeper understanding of how cultural context shapes business and policy decisions and outcomes in Israel and beyond.
ISRL283
The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: Fundamental Questions
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS, SCIS
Credit only granted for: ISRL283 or ISRL289I..
Formerly: ISRL289I.
As has become evident virtually every year, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict retains its capacity to mobilize both sides against each other. Why are Palestinian Arabs and Israeli Jews unable to resolve their differences? This course uncovers some of the deeper explanations as to why the conflict persists, even as it changes over the decades.
ISRL329Y
Special Topics in Israel Studies; Israel in Regional, International, and U.S. Media and Social Media
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with JOUR459Y. Credit only granted for ISRL329Y or JOUR459Y.

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted relationship between Israel and the media landscape in the regional, international, and U.S. media landscapes, providing students with the tools to critically analyze and understand the complex narratives on Israel, Arab-Israeli, Israeli-Palestinian affairs and the dynamics at play. Students will delve into the historical, cultural, and political context that shapes the portrayal of Israel in traditional media outlets, as well as the transformative power of social media platforms.
ISRL349F
Investigating Topics in Israel Studies; U.S Foreign Policy and the Arab-Israeli Conflict
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with GVPT368A. Credit only granted for ISRL349F or GVPT368A.

What are the U.S.' interests in the Middle East? Who and what defines these interests, or how to pursue them diplomatically and militarily? The Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a defining feature of the modern Middle East and it unquestionably has a significant impact on U.S. domestic politics and international leadership. Given those realities, this course will examine how U.S. foreign and security affecting the Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict is made and how it shapes and determines the realities on the ground, as well as the prospects for its peaceful resolution.
ISRL349N
Investigating Topics in Israel Studies; The Arabs in Israel: Palestinian Arab Citizens of Israel
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with GVPT368J. Credit only granted for ISRL349N or GVPT368J.

This course examines the political, social, and economic experience of the Arab minority in Israel from the establishment of the State up until recent years. It addresses the relationship between the State and the Arab community and the distinctive internal dynamics of Arab society as well as the relationship between the Arab minority in Israel and the Palestinians, and the Arab world.
ISRL349T
Investigating Topics in Israel Studies; Israel, Middle East Security, and WMD Proliferation
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with GVPT368T. Credit only granted for ISRL349T or GVPT368T.

This course addresses one of Israel's main security concerns:the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in the Middle East. It analyzes in-depth the political dynamics that lead to proliferation dangers in the region and the possible Israeli responses to proliferation, such as deterrence, military strikes, prevention, preemption, and defense.
ISRL349W
Investigating Topics in Israel Studies; Israli Slang
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with HEBR398W and JWST319W. 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.
ISRL350
The End of the Israel-Arab Conflict??
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS
Violence between Jews/Israelis and Arabs/Palestinians on both an inter-communal and inter-state level has been pervasive in the Holy Land for over a century. However, in the past few years, Israel has signed treaties with several Arab countries and more are likely in the near future. Is the larger Israel-Arab conflict ended, or nearly so? This course will examine the last 30 years to understand what has changed about these conflicts and what remains, and then explore different scenarios as to how peace may be possible and what it might look like.
Obviously, everything connected with relations between Israel and Arab countries has been thrown into the air by the October 7 attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent assault on Gaza. While this course will still focus on the recent history and possible scenarios for peace, it will of course take into account the course and effects of the current war. Students are invited to bring their opinions and be ready to discuss them.
ISRL372
Jewry of Muscle: Zionism and Jewish Masculinity
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHU
Cross-listed with: JWST372.
Credit only granted for: JWST319K, ISRL329K, JWST372 or ISRL372.
Formerly: JWST319K or ISRL329K.
Part of the Zionist cultural project involved creating a new Jewish masculinity that would replace the diasporic "sissy Jew" with a strong, healthy new "Jewry of Muscle." Using literary and cinematic sources, we will analyze how these Zionist and Israeli cultural productions served to build (and sometimes undermine) this new model of Jewish masculinity.
ISRL448O
Seminar in Israel Studies; History of Palestine in Modern Times
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with HIST419I. Credit only granted for HIST419I or ISRL448O.