Courses - Spring 2026
ISRL
Israel Studies
ISRL187
God, Land, Power, and the People: Moral Issues in the Jewish Historical Experience
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.
ISRL249O
Selected Topics in Israel Studies; Rational Irrationality: What Behavioral Economics can teach us about Behavior and Beliefs
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Cross-listed with ECON298B and PHPE308U. Credit only granted for ISRL249O, ECON298B, or PHPE308U.
Between geopolitical strife and growing social divides, understanding what drives people's beliefs and behavior is more imperative than ever. In this interdisciplinary course, we will discuss and explore what Behavioral Economics can teach us about the psychological forces that shape and distort our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. We will learn about the psychological biases and illusions behind stories people tell about the world we live in, as well as how our environment unconsciously influences and guides our behavior. The course will also address the cultural and intellectual roots of Behavioral Economics. We will explore how cultural differences affect society, policy, and business. We will see how the ideas apply to narratives of modern Israel as well as the means of influencing behavior and thinking.
Between geopolitical strife and growing social divides, understanding what drives people's beliefs and behavior is more imperative than ever. In this interdisciplinary course, we will discuss and explore what Behavioral Economics can teach us about the psychological forces that shape and distort our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. We will learn about the psychological biases and illusions behind stories people tell about the world we live in, as well as how our environment unconsciously influences and guides our behavior. The course will also address the cultural and intellectual roots of Behavioral Economics. We will explore how cultural differences affect society, policy, and business. We will see how the ideas apply to narratives of modern Israel as well as the means of influencing behavior and thinking.
ISRL249P
Selected Topics in Israel Studies; Sport in Israel: Culture, Identity and Competition.
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Examination of Israeli sports and athletes as expressions of cultural values, social dynamics and national identity. Conducted in Hebrew.
Cross-listed with HEBR249A. Credit granted only for ISRL249P or HEBR249A.
Cross-listed with HEBR249A. Credit granted only for ISRL249P or HEBR249A.
ISRL256
Zionism and Sexual Revolution
Cross-listed with: JWST256.
Credit only granted for: ISRL249N, JWST219G, ISRL256, or JWST256.
Formerly: ISRL249N or JWST219G.
A study of the changes within European Jewish communities that influenced the development of particular fantasies about and representations of gender, love, and sex in Palestine and Israel. We will investigate the broader intellectual and cultural contexts needed to understand the gender and sexual revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries, and will examine how European and, later, Israeli Jews adopted and adapted these ideas and cultural forms. We will closely analyze a variety of texts (stories, plays, photographs, and films) and will consider the relationship between ideology and aesthetics.
ISRL283
The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: Fundamental Questions
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 SocialMedia
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.
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.
ISRL342
History of Modern Israel
Cross-listed with HIST376.
Credit only granted for: HIST376 or ISRL342.
History of modern Israel since the beginning of the Zionist settlement in 1882. Attention to different interpretations and narratives of Israel's history, including the historical and ideological roots of Zionism, the establishment of the State of Israel, ideological forces, wars, and the triumphs and crises of democracy.
Cross-listed with HIST376. Credit only granted for ISRL342 or HIST376.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ISRL381
Israeli Foreign and Security Policy
Credits:
3
Grad Meth:
Reg, P-F, Aud
Credit only granted for: ISRL381, ISRL329P or GVPT368E.
Formerly: ISRL329P.
An overview of Israeli foreign and security policy from 1948 to the present. We will examine how Israel's foreign and security policies reflect its Jewish origins, Zionist ideology, its relations with its neighbors and world powers, and its regional quest for recognition and legitimacy.
Cross-listed with GVPT368E. Credit will be only granted for ISRL381 or GVPT368E.
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.
Explores the contested history of Palestine from the 18th century to 1948. Topics covered include the emergence and trajectories of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, Arab Jews, Palestine's economy, settler colonialism, religiosity and the politics of memory.
Explores the contested history of Palestine from the 18th century to 1948. Topics covered include the emergence and trajectories of Zionism and Palestinian nationalism, Arab Jews, Palestine's economy, settler colonialism, religiosity and the politics of memory.
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