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JEWISHST 4: What Didn't Make the Bible (CLASSICS 9N, HISTORY 112C, RELIGST 4)

Over two billion people alive today consider the Bible to be sacred scripture. But how did the books that made it into the bible get there in the first place? Who decided what was to be part of the bible and what wasn't? How would history look differently if a given book didn't make the final cut and another one did? Hundreds of ancient Jewish and Christian texts are not included in the Bible. "What Didn't Make It in the Bible" focuses on these excluded writings. We will explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnostic gospels, hear of a five-year-old Jesus throwing temper tantrums while killing (and later resurrecting) his classmates, peruse ancient romance novels, explore the adventures of fallen angels who sired giants (and taught humans about cosmetics), tour heaven and hell, encounter the garden of Eden story told from the perspective of the snake, and learn how the world will end. The course assumes no prior knowledge of Judaism, Christianity, the bible, or ancient history. It is designed for students who are part of faith traditions that consider the bible to be sacred, as well as those who are not. The only prerequisite is an interest in exploring books, groups, and ideas that eventually lost the battles of history and to keep asking the question "why." In critically examining these ancient narratives and the communities that wrote them, you will investigate how religions canonize a scriptural tradition, better appreciate the diversity of early Judaism and Christianity, understand the historical context of these religions, and explore the politics behind what did and did not make it into the bible.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: WAY-A-II, WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Penn, M. (PI); Persad, S. (GP)

JEWISHST 37Q: Zionism and the Novel (COMPLIT 37Q)

At the end of the nineteenth century, Zionism emerged as a political movement to establish a national homeland for the Jews, eventually leading to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. This seminar uses novels to explore the changes in Zionism, the roots of the conflict in the Middle East, and the potentials for the future. We will take a close look at novels by Israelis, both Jewish and Arab, in order to understand multiple perspectives, and we will also consider works by authors from the North America and from Europe. Note: This course must be taken for a letter grade to be eligible for WAYS credit.
Terms: Aut, Spr | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-A-II, WAY-EDP, Writing 2
Instructors: ; Berman, R. (PI)

JEWISHST 101A: First-Year Hebrew, First Quarter (AMELANG 128A)

In the first-year program, students acquire essential Hebrew through abundant opportunities to interact in the language in meaningful ways. The students learn to function appropriately in the language in a variety of social and cultural contexts.
Terms: Aut | Units: 5
Instructors: ; Tadmor, J. (PI)

JEWISHST 102A: Second-Year Hebrew, First Quarter (AMELANG 129A)

Continuation of AMELANG 128C. Sequence integrating culture and language. Emphasis is on proficiency in oral and written discourse including presentational language and socio culturally appropriate discourse in formal and informal, academic, and professional contexts. Prerequisite: Placement Test, First Year Hebrew .
Terms: Aut | Units: 4 | UG Reqs: Language
Instructors: ; Porat, G. (PI)

JEWISHST 104A: First-Year Yiddish, First Quarter (AMELANG 140A)

Reading, writing, and speaking.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4
Instructors: ; Levitow, J. (PI)

JEWISHST 115: Understanding Jews (AMSTUD 215)

This discussion-based course will give students an opportunity to explore the constellation of religious, ethnic, national, cultural, artistic, spiritual, and political forces that shape Jewish life in the 21st century. Drawing on historical documents, classical texts, and contemporary events, this course will give students from any background an opportunity to ask hard questions, deepen their own understandings, and challenge their conceptions of what makes Jewish life 'Jewish.' No matter where you went for Sunday school - church, synagogue, the woods, or nowhere at all - this course is a chance to question what you know, and interrogate how you came to know what you know about Jews, Judaism, and Jewish culture.
Terms: Aut | Units: 1-3
Instructors: ; Kelman, A. (PI)

JEWISHST 200R: Directed Research

Independent Research
Terms: Aut, Sum | Units: 1-5 | Repeatable 1 times (up to 5 units total)
Instructors: ; Kelman, A. (PI)

JEWISHST 282K: Refugees and Migrants in the Middle East and Balkans: 18th Century to Present (HISTORY 282K, HISTORY 382K)

This course studies one of the most pressing issues of our day--massive population displacements--from a historical perspective. Our focus will be the Ottoman Empire and its successor states, including Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel/Palestine. Questions include the following: When and why did certain ethno-religious groups begin to relocate en masse? To what extent were these departures caused by state policy? In what cases can we apply the term "ethnic cleansing"? How did the movement of people and the idea of the nation influence each other in the modern age?
Terms: Aut | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: WAY-EDP, WAY-SI
Instructors: ; Daniels, J. (PI)

JEWISHST 302: The Geography of Yiddish Literature (SLAVIC 302)

How does location matter for Yiddish creativity? This class looks at descriptions of places in Yiddish poetry and prose. It compares the Yiddish writing produced in Russia (and the Soviet Union), Poland, Israel/Palestine, and North America. If students want, more places can be added. For students with at least some knowledge of Yiddish; readings in Yiddish and English.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3
Instructors: ; Safran, G. (PI)

JEWISHST 385A: Graduate Colloquium in Early Modern Jewish History (HISTORY 385A)

Core colloquium in Jewish History, 17th to 19th centuries.
Terms: Aut | Units: 4-5
Instructors: ; Rodrigue, A. (PI)
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