Jewish Studies Course Catalog

english-taught courses
hebrew language & hebrew-taught seminars
off-campus programs
special purpose course numbers

English-taught seminars & lectures

2201 Introduction to Jewish Culture, Thought, and Practice

An introduction to the historical, ideological, and cultural growth of Judaism examined from a variety of methodological perspectives. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

2241 (/Yiddish 2241) Yiddish Culture

Introductory survey of political, social, ideological, and religious trends as reflected in Yiddish culture, especially folklore and literature. Prereq: GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

2242/H (/Hebrew 2241/H) Culture of Contemporary Israel

An introduction to the culture of modern Israel: historical roots, socio-political institutions and developments, and literary and artistic creations reflecting the realities of contemporary Israeli society. Prereq for 2241H: Honors standing, or permission of instructor. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

2367 (/Yiddish 2367) Jewish-American Voices in U.S. Literature

Introduction to Jewish-American literature; development of expository writing and argumentation skills through systematic and critical reflection upon their own country from the perspective of an ethnic community. Prereq: English 1110 (110) or equiv. GE writing and comm course: level 2 and cultures and ideas course.

2450 (/History 2450) Ancient & Medieval Jewish History, 300 BCE-1100 CE

Introduction to the history of Jewish communities, religion, and culture in the Near East from the Greco-Roman period to the First Crusade. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE cultures and ideas and historical study and diversity global studies course.

2451 (/History 2451) Medieval & Early Modern Jewish History, 700-1700 CE

Introduction to the history of Jewish communities, religion, and culture in Europe during the Medieval and Early Modern periods. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2452 (/History 2452) Modern Jewish History 1700 - Present

Study of the history of Jewish communities and Judaism from the early modern period to the early 21st century. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2453 (/History 2453) History of Zionism and Modern Israel

The history of Zionist movement and the modern state of Israel from beginnings to present. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2454 (/History 2454) History of Anti-Semitism

Study of the development of anti-Semitism, the history of anti-Semitic ideologies and practices, and different Jewish responses to anti-Semitism over time. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2455 (/History 2455) Jews in American Film

A study of how modern Jews appear in film compared with historical reality. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2475 (/History 2475) History of the Holocaust

Study of the state-sponsored murder of millions of Jews and non-Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

2516 (/Hebrew 2216 & CMRS 2516) The Medieval Jewish Experience

A survey of ten centuries of medieval Jewish culture from the rise of Islam to the death of Shabbetai Zvi, the false Messiah (1676). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

2700/H (/Hebrew 2700) Biblical & Post-Biblical Hebrew Literature in Translation

Reading and analysis of selected chapters from the Hebrew scriptures and post-biblical Hebrew writings representative of major historical, cultural, and literary trends. Prereq for 2700H: Honors standing, and English 1110 (110); or permission of instructor. GE lit and diversity global studies course.

2702 (/Hebrew 2702) Modern Hebrew Literature in Translation

A survey of major themes and topics in Modern Hebrew literature from the middle of the 19th century to the present. Prereq: Honors standing, and English 1110 (110); or permission of instructor. GE lit and diversity global studies course.

3111 (/Philosophy 3111) Introduction to Jewish Philosophy

A general introduction to major figures and trends in medieval, modern, and contemporary Jewish philosophy; emphasis on Philo, Saadia, Maimonides, Spinoza, Mendelssohn, and Buber. GE cultures and ideas course.

3205 (/Hebrew 2205) Art and Judaism

An exploration of the nature and function of art in ancient Judaism from the standpoints of history, cultural history, and material culture. Prereq: English 1110 (110). GE VPA course.

3210/H (/Hebrew & Religious Studies 3210) The Jewish Mystical Tradition

The history of Jewish mysticism from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on its implications for the comparative study of religious experience. Prereq for 3210H: Honors standing, and English 1110 (110). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.

3245 (/Hebrew 2245) Israeli Film & Society

This course focuses on Israel films from 1948 to the present day. From early Israeli films with low budgets to recent blockbusters, we’ll examine the art of filmmaking and analyze specific cinematic representations of Israeli life and society. In the process, we’ll watch a lot of great movies. Hebrew 3245 is designed for anyone interested in film and society, and assumes no previous knowledge about Israel. All films will include English subtitles. Prereq: English 1110 (110). GE VPA course.

3371 (/Yiddish 3371) Yiddish Literature in Translation

Reading, analysis, and discussion of representative works and of the development of major movements and genres in Yiddish literature. GE lit and diversity global studies.

3450 (/History 3450) History of Ancient Israel (to 300 BCE)

Survey of the history and historiography of Israel from its origins to the advent of Hellenism. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

3455 (/History 3455) Jewish Life from the Renaissance to the Early Enlightenment

Life and thought of European and Mediterranean Jews in the early modern period. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

3465 (/History 3465) American Jewish History

Study of topics in American Jewish history from the colonial era to the present. Sometimes this course is offered in a distance-only format.
Prereq: English 1110.xx and any History 2000-level course, or permission of instructor. GE historical study course.

3470 (/History 3470) Messiahs and Messianism in Jewish History

The history of Jewish messianic ideas and of Jewish messianic leadership from ancient to modern times. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 3470 (531.01). GE historical study course.

3505 (/History 3505) U.S. Diplomacy in the Middle East

Survey of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East emphasizing the Cold War, Arab-Israeli conflict, Iran, and wars against Iraq. Sometimes this course is offered in a distance-only format. Prereq: English 1110.xx, and any History 2000-level course; or permission of instructor. GE historical study and diversity global studies course.

3703 (/Hebrew 2703) Prophecy in the Bible and Post-Biblical Literature

The dynamics of Israelite prophecy and apocalyptic in the context of ancient Near Eastern culture. Prereq: English 1110 (110). GE lit and diversity global studies course.

3704 (/Hebrew 2704) Women in the Bible and Beyond

An examination of the social, legal, and religious position of women as they appear in the Hebrew Bible and the ways in which they have been represented and interpreted in later textual, visual, and audio sources. Prereq: English 1110 (110). GE lit and diversity global studies.

3708 (/Hebrew 2708) Biblical and Post-Biblical Wisdom Literature

An examination of the various ideas, themes, attitudes, implications, and genres of biblical and post-biblical wisdom literature. Prereq: English 1110 (110). GE lit and diversity global studies.

5111 (/NELC 5111) Comparative Semitic Linguistics

An introduction to the study of comparative Semitic linguistics. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

5802 (/Hebrew 5802) The Problem of Evil in Biblical and Post-Biblical Literature

Study of the vexing problem of evil; the seeming contradiction between tradition and experience; extensive readings and discussions of appropriate biblical and post-biblical literature.

5806 (/Hebrew 5806) Studies in Biblical Law

Examination of the various biblical corpora of laws within the context of a great body of legal collections which extended throughout the ancient Near East.

Hebrew language & Hebrew-taught seminars

4601 (/Hebrew 4601) Modern Hebrew Short Story

Reading and discussion of masterpieces of modern Hebrew short stories in the 19th and 20th centuries. Prereq: Hebrew 1103 (104), or permission of instructor.

4602 (/Hebrew 4602) Modern Hebrew Poetry

Reading and discussion of masterpieces of modern Hebrew poetry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Prereq: Hebrew 1103 or permission of instructor.

4605 (/Hebrew 4605) Readings in the Mishnah

Reading and discussion of the ideas and teachings of the Mishnah as they are reflected in the unique Mishnaic language. Prereq: Hebrew 1103 or permission of instructor.

5101 (/Hebrew 5101) Biblical Hebrew Grammar

Introduction to the phonology, morphology, and syntax of the Biblical Hebrew idiom. Prereq: Hebrew 1103 or permission of instructor.

5105 (/Hebrew 5105) History of the Hebrew Language

Genealogical and typological relations within the Semitic family; a survey of Biblical, Mishnaic, and Modern Hebrew. Prereq: Hebrew 1103 or permission or instructor.

5601 (/Hebrew 5601) Intro to Hebrew Literary and Cultural Texts

Literary and cultural Hebrew texts from the biblical to the modern period; students will develop the ability to read critically and to build analytical vocabulary. Prereq: Hebrew 2105 or permission of instructor.

5602 (/Hebrew 5602) The Bible as Literature: Selected Readings

Critical study of basic issues in the language and analysis of biblical texts. Prereq: Hebrew 2105 or permission of instructor. maximum 12 credit hours.

5603 (/Hebrew 5603) Readings in Rabbinic Literature

Study of selected texts and issues in Rabbinic literature, and discussions of the methods by which they are studied. maximum 12 credit hours.

7601 (/Hebrew 7601) Studies in Hebrew Poetry

Advanced study of specific poetic periods, figures, and/or topics involving extensive readings and discussions of appropriate primary and secondary materials. maximum 9 credit hours.

7602 (/Hebrew 7602) Studies in Hebrew Prose

Advanced study of specific periods, authors, and/or topics or prose writing, involving extensive readings and discussions of appropriate primary and secondary materials. maximum 9 credit hours.

8891 (/Hebrew 8891) Seminar in Hebrew Studies

Intensive investigation of a selected topic or problem in Hebrew linguistics, philology, literature, or literary culture. maximum 12 credit hours.

off-campus programs

4798 Study Tour (General)

Specific content, location, semester(s) of offering, and prerequisites vary; contact department office for details. Prereq: Permission of instructor (prerequisites may vary depending on the nature of the experience). Repeatable to a maximum of 9 cr hrs or 3 completions, graded (S/U).

4798.02 History and Culture of Israel: Study Tour

Introduces the dynamics of the current Middle East peace process against the backdrop of the richness and diversity of contemporary Israeli society and culture. Students will read material pertaining to the Middle East peace process, attend and participate in lectures/discussions with instructors during May semester, and take part in a study tour of Israel through OSU OIA. GE education abroad course.

5797 Study at a Foreign Institution

An opportunity for students to study at a foreign institution and receive Ohio State credit for that work. Students will pay Ohio State University Fees and any fees in excess of Ohio State tuition as well as all travel and subsistence costs. Prereq: Written Permission of Melton Center Director. maximum of 9 cr hrs or 3 completions, graded (S/U).

Generic & Special Purpose Course Numbers

2194 Group Studies

An investigation of a particular topic in Jewish Studies through readings, discussion and scheduled class meetings. The topic will vary from semester to semester and is based on emerging interests of students and faculty in Jewish Studies. Prereq: Permission of instructor.

4191 Jewish Studies Internship

Community work with agencies and organizations serving the Jewish population. Evaluation of policy decisions from a Jewish perspective. Prereq: 2201, and 9 sem cr hrs in JewshSt; or permission of instructor. maximum of 3 cr hrs or 2 completions, graded S/U.

4999H Thesis Research

A program of readings and empirical investigation of topics arranged on the basis of individual student interests. The course will entail individual conferences with faculty, reports, and honors thesis. An advanced independent study option. Prereq: Honors standing, and permission of instructor. maximum of 9 cr hrs or 3 completions, graded S/U.