Jewish Studies Program
The Program in Jewish Studies offers an undergraduate major (B.A. in Jewish Studies) and minor, Departmental Honors (both by research paper and by service learning), and courses in Jewish Studies, Hebrew, and Yiddish. We also co-sponsor courses in many other units, especially Religious Studies, History, Global and International Studies, and Political Studies. Among our several focus areas are Jewish history and culture, Judaism, Holocaust Studies, Israel Studies, Jewish languages and narratives, and applied service in Jewish organizations.
Jewish culture and religion have flourished in a rich variety of forms and in remarkably disparate places on the globe for thousands of years. Jewish contributions have deeply affected the art, languages and literature, law, philosophy, and political thought, and the sciences of all nations. The global impact of Jewish culture thus warrants its study as an important component of the liberal arts curriculum at KU. The Jewish Studies Program at KU is the only such program in the state of Kansas. Its mission, therefore, is to celebrate the Jewish experience and promote the understanding of its cultural importance with courses and academic programs that focus on the history, diversity, culture, languages, thought, and practices of the Jewish people and their religion.
As a Jewish Studies major you will gain skills in critical thinking and cultural awareness that lead to successes in a wide array of career fields, including education, law, journalism, healthcare, and social justice advocacy. Requirements for the Jewish Studies major include 2 courses in Jewish history and/or culture; 2 courses in Judaism; 3 electives; demonstration of proficiency at the intermediate level of Hebrew or Yiddish (usually satisfied by taking 2 courses at the 200-level); and JWSH 601, a capstone course.
Courses
A beginning course in modern Hebrew. Essentials of grammar, syntax and conversational practice; elementary reading and writing. Note: Students with other previous experience in Hebrew must take a placement exam.
Further development of language skills: listening comprehension, oral efficiency, intermediate grammar and syntax, reading and writing. Note: Students with other previous experience in Hebrew must take a placement exam. Prerequisite: HEBR 120.
Examination of special topics in Jewish Studies predominantly taught in the Hebrew language. This course may be repeated for credit if topic varies. Prerequisite: HEBR 220 or permission of instructor.
Advanced study of Modern Hebrew. This course is designed to strengthen linguistic skills, enrich vocabulary, and further the study of grammar and syntax. Not open to native speakers of Hebrew. Prerequisite: HEBR 220 or permission of the instructor.
Continued advanced study of modern Hebrew. Not open to native speakers of Hebrew. Prerequisite: HEBR 340 or permission of the instructor.
This course is designed for the study abroad of special topics in Hebrew at the junior/senior level. Coursework must be arranged through the Office of KU Study Abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
An introduction to Hebrew literature from the nineteenth century to the present day. The course emphasizes the development of basic interpretive skills and the understanding of basic literary movements, genres, and concepts. Not open to native speakers of Hebrew. Prerequisite: HEBR 220 or equivalent.
This course is designed to help students achieve fluency in speaking, listening, and writing Modern Hebrew. Not open to native speakers of Hebrew. Prerequisite: HEBR 220 or equivalent.
Intensive reading or research under faculty supervision. Not open to native speakers of Hebrew. Prerequisite: HEBR 220 or equivalent.
Courses
A basic introduction to the major religious traditions of the Near East, Europe, and the Americas, with an emphasis on their development through the modern period and their expressions in contemporary life. (Same as REL 107.)
This course introduces students to basic aspects of Jewish studies, including Jewish history, Judaism and theology, philosophy and science, and culture. Not open to students who have completed JWSH 400 or JWSH 610.
This course serves as an introduction to the literature of the Bible. Students will explore the relationships between various types of literature in the Bible as well as the functions this literature served in the history and religious life of the people who produced and used it. The focus of the course will be on examining the purpose and meaning of biblical texts during the time and culture in which they were originally written. Distinctive theological concerns and literary features of individual texts will be studied in light of their historical context in ancient Israel (for the Hebrew Bible) and the Greco-Roman world (for the New Testament). Not open to students who have taken REL 125 or JWSH 125. (Same as REL 124.)
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Jewish Studies. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of Academic Programs and Experiential Learning. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
Examination of special topics in history and culture of the Jewish people. May be repeated if topic varies.
Examination of special topics in Jewish religion. This course may be repeated if topic varies.
A broad historical study of the Spanish Inquisition from 1478 to its afterlife in modern culture, including its use in political debates and its depiction in popular culture. Topics include anti-Semitism, the nature of the inquisitorial investigation, the use of torture, censorship and the relationship between the Inquisition, the Spanish monarchy and other religious and lay authorities. Taught in English. Will not count toward the Spanish major. (Same as HIST 325 and SPAN 302.)
An introduction and survey of the history and interpretation of the Jewish and Christian bibles from their first formation to the present day. Students will explore the way the text, interpretation and format of the Bible have adjusted over time to accommodate religious, political, social and technological changes. Class will occasionally meet in the university's rare book collection to study rare bibles. (Same as REL 320.)
An introduction to the figure of Jesus in his ancient Jewish context. What was Jewish life like in Jesus's time? What did the early Jesus movement share with other forms of Judaism, and how did it differ? Evidence from the New Testament, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other textual and archaeological sources will be used to explore the first-century Jewish society of which both Jesus and the first Christians were a part. (Same as REL 323.)
Analyzes a selection of the core texts, teachings, and practices of Jewish religious traditions in terms of classical and contemporary understanding. (Same as REL 325.)
This course demystifies the Talmud, arguably the most central yet also the most mysterious text of rabbinic Judaism. Students are introduced to the scope, substance, styles, and major figures of the Talmud, and also learn how the text came into being over the course of several centuries. (Same as REL 326.) Prerequisite: REL 104, REL 107, or REL 124 or REL 125, or permission of the instructor.
By examining the modern concept of Yiddishkeit (Jewishness), this course explores Jewish secularism as a set of modern intellectual, literary, and cultural practices that redefined the relationship between the secular and religious in literature, music, theatre, art, humor, and foodways. This interdisciplinary course draws on theoretical approaches from history, cultural studies, religious studies, folklore, and linguistics to examine the different secularizing cultural practices of the Jews in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as in North America.
This course provides an introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict including its history from the Ottoman period to the present day, the social and political effects on Israeli and Palestinian life and citizenship, official and unofficial narratives, and international responses. (Same as GIST 329, HIST 482, and POLS 369.)
Mystical experiences and supernatural encounters in Jewish texts and tradition: Dybbuks and demons, angels and Elijah; from ecstatic enlightenment to succumbing to satan - Jewish texts and tradition are riddled with the arcane, the occult and the mystical. This course will mine the sources for a deep exploration of these aspects of Judaism that are most often obscured by "normative" teachings and practices, yet remain deeply embedded in the customs and beliefs of Jews around the world. (Same as REL 329.)
This course explores Jewish women's involvement and activism in their communities and immediate environment. We will explore themes in Jewish women's participation like enfranchisement, labor activism, civil rights, access to healthcare, religious practices, cultural contributions, and family units. Students will have the opportunity to consider the relationship between identity, gender, religion, community, and how these impact individuals' social behavior. Specifically, students will explore how Jewish women have to balance their religious and ethnic identities and efforts to impact their surroundings.
This course explores Jewish women's involvement and activism in their communities and immediate environment. We will explore themes in Jewish women's participation like enfranchisement, labor activism, civil rights, access to healthcare, religious practices, cultural contributions, and family units. Students will have the opportunity to consider the relationship between identity, gender, religion, community, and how these impact individuals' social behavior. Specifically, students will explore how Jewish women have to balance their religious and ethnic identities and efforts to impact their surroundings.
This course explores the history of Jewish women from antiquity to the twentieth century. It examines the historical constructions of women's gender roles and identities in Jewish law and custom as well as the social and cultural impact of those constructions in the context of the realities of women's lives in both Jewish and non-Jewish society. (Same as HIST 335, WGSS 335.)
An examination of Jewish American literature and culture from the 17th century to the present. Materials may include a broad range of literary genres as well as folklore, music, film, and visual art. Prerequisite: Prior completion of the Core 34: English (SGE) requirement. Recommended: Prior completion of one 200-level English course.
A survey of the many types of Religious Zionism, from the origins of the movement to the present, from Left to Right, and from Jewish to Christian. The class asks questions about the relationship between religion and politics in Israel using case studies as examples, and also considers the views of religious Jewish anti-Zionists. No previous knowledge of Judaism or Israeli history is required. (Same as REL 327.)
From the beginning, Jewish history and culture is closely tied to language, from Hebrew and Aramaic to the languages of diaspora such as Yiddish and Ladino. Focusing on issues of language in society, this course will survey the languages spoken by the Jews throughout their long history in diverse communities around the world. We will learn about Hebrew as a spoken and a sacred language, examine how Jewish languages are born and die, and discuss the resurrection of Modern Hebrew in the state of Israel. All readings are in English. No prior knowledge of languages or linguistics is required. (Same as LING 338.)
An examination of the rise of Hitler and Nazism, beginning with the breakdown of 19th century culture in the First World War and continuing through the failure of democracy under the Weimar Republic. The course will also discuss the impact of Nazism on Germany and how Nazism led to the Second World War and the Holocaust. Particular attention is paid to the moral and ethical dilemmas facing individuals living under the Nazi regime, as well as those concerning victims and perpetrators in the Holocaust. (Same as GERM 341 and HIST 341.)
The systematic murder of the Jews of Europe by the Nazis during World War II is one of the most important events of modern history. This course studies the Holocaust by asking about its place in history. It compares other attempted genocides with the Holocaust and examines why most historians argue that it is unique. Other topics covered include the reasons the Holocaust occurred in Europe when it did, the changing role of anti-Semitism, and the effects of the Holocaust on civilization. The course also discusses why some people have sought to deny the Holocaust. The course concludes by discussing the questions people have raised about the Holocaust and such issues as support for democracy, the belief in progress, the role of science, and the search for human values which are common to all societies. (Same as HIST 343.)
This course explores the complex of interactions between Jews, Judaism, and modernity by examining the challenges to Jewish life and thought, community and culture, self-understanding and survival, from the early modern period to the present day. Through the lenses of religious, cultural, intellectual, and political expression, the course examines the social, economic, and demographic changes in Jewish communities in Western, Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, and Israel along with the impact of antisemitism and the Holocaust. (Same as HIST 344.)
This seminar focuses on theatre art production under extreme situations. Do artists have a moral obligation to bear witness to genocide and war? Lectures, historical and theoretical readings, play texts, dance performance, and films provide students with a context within which to explore such issues as: the function of the performing arts under duress; the artist's role under and in response to atrocity; and how art aids us to explore the human condition. Class discussion, readings, and individual projects. This course is offered at the 300 and 600 level with additional assignments at the 600 level. Not open to students with credit in JWSH 645 or THR 645. (Same as THR 345.) Prerequisite: THR 308 or instructor permission.
In this course we will explore the variety of ways that Judaism and Jewish people have approached ethics, both theoretically and practically. Our investigation will consider the evolution of approaches across time, and variations among different communities, as well as examining how the religious tradition has, at times, differed from actual practice among Jewish people. We will look at theological, philosophical, and sociological elements that inform Jewish ethics, as well as delving into specific issues in Jewish ethics, including autonomy vs. communal norms; business and labor practices; saving a life vs. taking a life; the treatment of animals; marriage and family matters; medical ethics; universalism vs. particularism, and more.
This course examines the interaction between literature and memory, in particular how authors respond to major historical events and contribute to shaping the collective memory of those events. Students will read graphic novels inspired by memories of the Holocaust and Communism. Through the visual and textual mix of the graphic novel, we will consider the impact of historical upheavals on the lives of ordinary individuals, drawing connections to contemporary national and global socio-political problems. Students will write on these topics in a variety of academic and non-academic genres, including: journal, article summary, synthetic essay, analytical essay, and reflection essay/creative writing. (Same as GIST 321 and SLAV 320.)
This course surveys the genesis, evolution and persistence of antipathy towards Jews and Judaism from late antiquity through the twentieth century, exploring its connections to religious and secular ideologies and its changing nature over time, place, and culture. Using primary source documents, religious and secular art and literature, the mass media and popular expression, the course examines how antisemitism was articulated and implemented, how Jews and Judaism were perceived and represented, and how Jews and Judaism responded to antisemitism. (Same as HIST 349.)
This course explores the variety of ways in which American Jews create Jewish identities as individuals and groups. It traces the emergence of the various current divisions within Judaism: Reform Judaism (which by definition, implies Orthodoxy), then Conservative Judaism, and then the later development of Reconstructionist Judaism. The course also explores other contemporary options for being Jewish: cultural Jews, secular Jews, unaffiliated Jews, religious Jews, and gay or lesbian or transgendered Jews.
An examination of the cultural history of the Jews through films that explore Jewish themes, including but not limited to: issues of tradition and modernity, religion and secularism, immigration, gender, Zionism, anti-Semitism, and the Holocaust. Films studied may be in English and in foreign languages (with English subtitles) like Yiddish, Hebrew, and Russian.
Archaeology and art, sites and monuments of ancient Israel from the Neolithic period to Late Roman. Special topics will include the peoples of the region, nomadism and urbanization, the kingdoms of Israel, Second Temple Period, Qumran, Roman Jerusalem, and the creation and development of the synagogue. (Same as CLSX 371.)
The course will examine what religious traditions have had to say about controversies in economic ethics, focusing on how religious thinkers develop arguments on the basis of methods particular to their traditions. At the same time, it presents these traditions alongside secular approaches to economic ethics. Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism will be considered, as will liberalism, Marxism, feminism, and natural law theory. Topics include economic inequality, wealth accumulation, licit and illicit commerce, slavery, and profit. Attention will also be paid to the methodological challenges of the study of the topic, which necessarily brings together political economy, ethics, economic history, and hermeneutics. Students will work with a diverse array of primary sources, from ancient scriptures to modern thinkers. The ultimate goal will be to understand how it is possible for thinkers within the same religious tradition to take differing stances on economic ethics, while considering themselves wholly grounded in tradition, depending on their relationships to the modern secular approaches we discuss. (Same as REL 379.)
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Jewish Studies at the junior/senior level. Coursework must be arranged through the Office of KU Study Abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
An examination of the rise of Hitler and Nazism, beginning with the breakdown of 19th century culture in the First World War and continuing through the failure of democracy under the Weimar Republic. The course will also discuss the impact of Nazism on Germany and how Nazism led to the Second World War and the Holocaust. Particular attention is paid to the moral and ethical dilemmas facing individuals living under the Nazi regime, as well as those concerning victims and perpetrators in the Holocaust. (Same as EURS 396, GERM 396 and HIST 396.) Prerequisite: Membership in University Honors or consent of instructor.
This course introduces students to basic aspects of Jewish studies, including Jewish history, Judaism and theology, philosophy and science, ethnicities and narratives, languages, customs and the arts. Special attention will be given to various career options available to students of Jewish studies. Not open to students who have completed JWSH 120 or JWSH 610.
The course focuses on understanding Israel as a Nation-State of the Jewish people and its challenges regarding the balance between being a Jewish and a Democratic state. In the first part, the course surveys Jewish history in the 19th century, the birth of Zionism, and statehood's progress through the British Mandate. In the second part, students learn about Israel's major contemporary issues by discussing political, ethnic, national, economic, gender, and religious divides and their relation to the pre-statehood period.
A review of the thirty-year history of the British Mandate over Palestine, with a focus on the successful nation building by the Jewish people and the demise of the Palestinian project in 1948.
The war of 1948 shaped the history of the modern Middle East more than any other single event. Issues discussed include the participating parties, the efforts of the international community, the establishment of Israel, the division of Palestine, and the unsolved status of the Palestinian refugees. (Same as GIST 414 and HIST 418.)
The course focuses on the formative period of the State of Israel from sociological, economic, religious, and cultural perspectives.
The course is an introduction to the Israeli system of government and its complexities, from a comparative perspective. The course aims to deal with the processes and critical issues that characterize the Israeli political system, as well as dilemmas and conflicts that are part of it since the early days of statehood until today. (Same as POLS 480.)
This course explores the social interconnections and interactions of the various cultures, religions, and ethnic identities in Israel.
An examination of public opinion in Israel, polls, and their effect on election results, policy making, and politics -- from a comparative perspective. We will discuss the validity of public opinion polls as a measurement tool, its advantages and disadvantages, and its success and failure at predicting election results.
This course introduces students to the study of Arab-Palestinians in Israel, by exploring the construction of Palestinian identity, their social and political structures, their culture, relations with Israeli Jews and the status of integration vs segregation within Israel.
An overview of the politics and the governmental systems of Middle Eastern nations, including the historic, religious, ideological, economic and cultural forces that shape government policies and social movements.
An introduction to the fundamentals of local governments in Israel and their relationships, political, legal, and economic, to the central government.
Intensive reading or research under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Honors version of JWSH 490. Intensive reading or research under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: Membership in the University Honors Program or consent of instructor.
This course examines the ways Jews and Christians have interacted with and characterized one another at various points in their histories. Special emphasis is placed on the gradual separation of the two religious traditions in the 1st-4th centuries. (Same as REL 525.) Prerequisite: A previous course in Religious Studies or Jewish Studies; or consent of instructor.
This seminar will introduce students to appropriate approaches and methods, especially in the Humanities and Social Sciences, for conducting research in Jewish Studies and/or in Israel Studies. Examples will draw on many disciplines, especially in the humanities and social sciences. Students will prepare a research proposal and investigative methodology. Prerequisite: Any JWSH course 300 or above or permission of the instructor.
Examination of advanced topics in Jewish Studies. May be repeated if topic varies. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
Investigation of topics related to Jewish studies from an interdisciplinary perspective: Jewish culture, history, and religion. The course focuses on research methods and intensive writing. Prerequisite: Open only to Jewish studies majors. Suggested for students with senior standing.
This seminar focuses on theatre art production under extreme situations. Do artists have a moral obligation to bear witness to genocide and war? Lectures, historical and theoretical readings, play texts, dance performance, and films provide students with a context within which to explore such issues as: the function of the performing arts under duress; the artist's role under and in response to atrocity; and how art aids us to explore the human condition. Class discussion, readings, and individual projects. This course is offered at the 300 and 600 level with additional assignments at the 600 level. Not open to student with credit in JWSH 345 or THR 345. (Same as THR 645.) Prerequisite: THR 308 or graduate standing, or instructor permission.
This course, to be taken in the junior or senior year, is designed to give students the opportunity to apply the knowledge, concepts, and ideas gained in courses in Jewish studies to real-life situations in appropriate agencies and organizations. Open to students in the Jewish Studies program. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Using governmental case-studies in North Africa and the Middle East, this course will examine basic definitions and behavoriors of liberal democracies, dictatorships, and hybrid regimes, the transitions between them, and the strategies they (and their leaders) use to stay in power. Prerequisite: JWSH 440 or permission of instructor.
Advanced study abroad topics in Jewish and Israel studies. Prerequisite: Any JWSH course 300 or above or permission of the instructor.
A study of one or more selected topics in Jewish studies. Topics can be on Jewish religion, history, culture, languages, or Israel studies. Repeatable for credit if topic varies. Prerequisite: Any JWSH course 300 and above, or equivalent by permission of instructor.
This course guides students in conducting research on any aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, such as its history from the Ottoman period to the present day, the social and political effects on Israelis and Palestinians, various narratives, and international responses. Prerequisite: JWSH 329 or JWSH 410 or JWSH 414 or JWSH 412 or JWSH 434 or permission of the instructor.