Courses

This course explores the intersecting political, artistic, and intellectual currents and practices that have shaped contemporary Arab cultures. It is organized as a survey of different cultural phenomena in Arab societies and diasporas including: the Arabic language and its varieties, music, poetry, law, television & cinema, and more.

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: 2241H requires Honors standing, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for 241. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course.  Cross-listed in Jewish Studies 2242. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with contemporary Israeli culture in all of its diversity.  Since the founding of the State in 1948, Israeli society has faced a series of dramatic challenges and has undergone tremendous changes.  This course will survey the major social, cultural, religious and political trends in Israel, with special emphasis on the post-1967 period.  We will explore developments in music, dance, poetry, and archaeology; responses to founding ideals and ideologies; the impact of the Arab-Israeli conflict; efforts to absorb new waves of immigration and to deal with questions of ethnicity; and the roles of religion and secularism in Israeli society.  We will draw on a broad range of material, including print media, films, and YouTube clips.   By the end of the course, students should have an insight into the complexity of Israeli society and the richness of Israeli culture, as well as an understanding of Israel’s role in Jewish life, the Middle East, and the world at large.

Utilizing new historical methods for reading and interpreting the sparse contemporary and near-contemporary testimonies for this historical period, this course explores how these testimonies, both Muslim and non-Muslim, continue to challenge historians to revise the history of the Islamic conquests. In this course a strong focus is placed on reading primary source materials in translation. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 3355. Cross-listed in History.

Being Jewish encompasses a wide range of religious, cultural, and communal identities shaped by diverse beliefs, traditions, histories, and regional influences, and this course explores that richness through key texts, practices, and concepts while examining what it means to identify as Jewish today.

Introductory survey of political, social, ideological, and religious trends as reflected in Yiddish culture, especially folklore and literature. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Yiddish 2241 (241). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Yiddish.

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: Not open to students with credit for 2242H, Hebrew 2241 (241), or 2241H (241H). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Hebrew 2241.

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. Not open to students with credit for History 2451 (330.01 and 330.02). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

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. Not open to students with credit for History 2452 (330.02). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

A history of the Jewish state from the rise of Zionism to the present, with a focus on migration and displacement. Topics include: Jewish-Arab relations, the encounter between European and Middle Eastern Jews, the creation of a new Hebrew identity, the impact of the Holocaust, ethnic conflict and social protest, war and diplomacy, religion and the state and struggles over the nature of the regime. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for History 2453. Cross-listed in History.

A study of how modern Jews appear in film compared with historical reality. Prereq or concur: English 1110.xx, or permission of instructor. Not open to students with credit for History 2455. Cross-listed in History.

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. Not open to students with credit for History 2475. GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

A survey of ten centuries of medieval Jewish culture from the rise of Islam to the death of Shabbetai Zvi, the false Messiah (1676). Prereq: Not open to students with credit for MedRen 2516 (Medieval 216) or Hebrew 2216 (216). GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in MedRen 2516 and Hebrew 2216.

The history of Jewish mysticism from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on its implications for the comparative study of religious experience. Prereq: English 1110. Not open to students with credit for 2210, 2210H, 3210H, CompStd 2210, 2210H, Hebrew 2210, 3210, 2210H, 3210H, RelStds 2210, 3210, 2210H, or 3210H. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. Cross-listed in Hebrew and RelStds.

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. Not open to students with credit for History 3450 (530.01). GE historical study course. Cross-listed in History.

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 Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies.

Introduction to the culture of the Middle East as lived in its villages, towns, and cities. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for Anthrop 2241. Cross-listed in Anthrop.

A survey of Persian culture through the reading of Persian literature in translation, viewing of Persian films, and listening to Persian music. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 241. GE cultures and ideas and diversity global studies course. This course will expose students to the diversity and richness of Persian culture. Because of the importance of religion in Persian culture, students will study in broad outline the distinguishing features of Shi'a Islam as practiced in Iran and they will be introduced to the main tenets of Persian sufism. The impact on Iran of two outside cultures - that of the Arabs and that of the industrialized West - will also be considered. The course will take into account endemic tensions in Persian culture: for example, between indigenous and outside forces, between absolutism and populism, etc. Much of the instruction will be through the examination of literary works, particularly twentieth century literary works; students will also see Iranian films and receive an introduction to Persian music and the Persian tradition of miniature painting.

An introduction to Turkish culture through reading of literature and criticism, and listening and viewing of films, slides, and performances arranged for the class. This is a course exposing students to a diverse and living culture with a great and ancient heritage. Contributions of the local and international Turkish communities, in the form of performances arranged for the class, films, slides, and recordings, will form the in-class experience. Through these means and through assigned readings and discussion, students will comprehend the span and depth of the Turkish contribution to human values, and research one aspect of that culture in some detail according to his or her personal interests. By the end of the course students will have an enlightened understanding of the Turkish role in shaping human history and contemporary events. Prereq: Not open to students with credit for 241. GE Foundation: Historical and Cultural Studies