JWST/WLIT 285: Land-Identity-Nation: An Introduction to Israeli Literature

Nadav Linial– TR 11:30-12:45

This course explores Israeli literature from the establishment of the state in 1948 to the present day. We will examine the evolution of Hebrew literary production as it encountered the Mediterranean landscape and developed into a vehicle of vernacular literary expression. Topics include secular cultural expression and religious tradition; gender and ethnicity; political ideology and its discontents. Alongside primary literary sources in translation we will read background sources about Israeli history and culture, and critical readings about literature theory. Students will master basic introductory materials relating to Israeli history and culture, with attention to how literature has served as a platform that both shapes and reflects national identity formation. Students will also gain sensitivity and facility in analyzing specific elements of literary form, especially as related to genre, voice and narrative.

Counts as: Communication Intensive, Human Diversity & Commonality, and Understanding Global Perspectives.

JWST/ENGL/WLIT 293: Introduction to Modern Jewish Literature, 1880-1994

Barbara Mann- MW 12:45-2:00

Survey introduction to main themes and canonical texts from modern Jewish writing (1880-1945). Works will be discussed in relation to the cultural, economic and social conditions in which they were produced, and in light of broad questions regarding genre, history, modernity and identity. Authors include Y. L. Peretz, Franz Kafka, Leah Goldberg and Henry Roth.

Counts as: Communication Intensive, Human Diversity & Commonality, and Understanding Global Perspectives.

JWST/HSTY/RLGN 389: History of Zionism

Alanna Cooper and Jay Geller- MW 12:45-2:00

This course seeks to elucidate the major strands of Zionism, their origins, how they have interacted, and their impact on contemporary Israeli society. These may include political Zionism, cultural Zionism, socialist (labor) Zionism, Revisionist Zionism, and religious Zionism. This course will also examine the differences in the appeal of Zionism to Jews in different places, such as Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the United States.

Counts as: Communication Intensive, Human Diversity & Commonality, and Understanding Global Perspectives.

HBRW 101: Elementary Modern Hebrew I

Nadav Linial- MWF 8:25-9:15

The course objective is to enable students to develop basic communicative skills in standard Modern Hebrew. Students will become acquainted with the Hebrew alphabet and vowels, and with basic grammar and vocabulary.

HBRW 201: Intermediate Modern Hebrew I

Nadav Linial- MWF 10:35-11:25

The course objective is to advance the students’ Hebrew communicative skills by studying the language in its cultural context. The focus will be on speaking, reading, and writing, with an emphasis on the use of the language as reflected in Israeli culture. Prereq: HBRW 102 or consent of department.

HBRW/ARAB/ETHS/RLGN/SPAN 303: Multicultural Spain: Christian, Jewish and Muslim Coexistence

Barbara Mann, Ramez Islambouli, and Damaris Punales-Alpizar- W 2:15-3:05

Why is Medieval Iberia so often depicted as an example of tolerant multiculturalism? What constituted tolerance in the Middle Ages? In what sense can we speak of medieval multiculturalism? Is Americo Castro’s optimistic model of convivencia (coexistence) valid, or is Brian Catlos’ idea of conveniencia (convenience) more accurate? In this course we will study cultural theory, medieval and modern historiography, and literature from medieval Castile to the present to approach an understanding of Medieval Iberian ‘multiculturalism.’ This class will allow students to get in contact with the history of Spain through the study of the presence and influence of the Roman Empire, the Jewish and Muslim cultures and religions in the Peninsula. Through literature, cinema and art students will learn how the Spanish civilization and culture developed through the years. The class will be offered during a regular semester, with a study abroad component at the end of it. Students will receive a handout about how to prepare for the class abroad.

Counts as: Human Diversity & Commonality, Local & Global Engagement, and Understanding Global Perspectives.