Interdisciplinary Courses
JS 100: World Cultures of the Jews
Prof. Ingrid Anderson
MWF 10:10-11:00am
4 credits
Introduces students to the study of Judaism in its many forms, by exploring Jewish communities across the globe today, their different historical origins and cultural contexts, and strategies of preserving cohesion and transnational solidarity.
BU Hub Units: The Individual in Community, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration
Sacred Texts and Comparative Traditions
JS 110: Judaism
RN 216
Prof. Jonathan Klawans
TR 12:30-1:45pm
4 credits
Systematic and historical introduction to doctrines, customs, literature, and movements of Judaism; biblical religion and literature; rabbinic life and thought; medieval mysticism and philosophy; modern movement and developments.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Critical Thinking
JS 120: The Bible
RN 101
Prof. Michael Zank
MWF 12:20-1:10pm
Discussions: B1: M 2:30-3:20 B2: W 1:25-2:15 B3: F 11:15-12:05
4 credits
Introduction to the great canonical anthologies of Jews and Christians. Students will learn to read for historical context and genre conventions; study classical and modern strategies of interpretation; and create a collaborative commentary or piece of “fan-fiction.” Carries humanities divisional credit in CAS.
BU Hub Units: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Creativity/Innovation
JS 211: Origins of Christianity
RN 202, STH TN 808
Prof. David Frankfurter
TR 11am-12:15pm
4 credits
Introduces the texts of the New Testament and other early Christian writings: first, to place Jesus of Nazareth in the religious and social context of Second Temple Judaism and the Roman empire; and second, to explain the origins and growth of Christian beliefs, practices, and social formations up to the second century.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking
Jewish Literature and Thought
JS 130: Masterpieces of Modern Hebrew Literature (taught in English)
LH 250
Prof. Abigail Gillman
TR 11:00am – 12:15pm
4 credits
Narrative prose by major writers from nineteenth-century Eastern Europe to present-day Israel, including works of S.Y. Agnon, Dvora Baron, A.B. Yehoshua, Amos Oz, Shalev, Etgar Keret, Sayed Kashua, and Orly Castel-Bloom. Focus on the struggle to forge modern identity in the domains of family, nation, religion and Middle East. Required for the minor in Hebrew.
BU Hub Units: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation
JS 343: Jewish Fundamentalisms
RN 343
Prof. Nahum Karlinsky
TR 9:30-10:45am
Exploration of Jewish Fundamentalist identities: diverse global communities reflecting a strict interpretation of Jewish law, the formation of Haredi societies in the 19th century, unprecedented growth, marriages and family life, religious studies’ social and symbolic centrality, economy, and Haredi trans-national communities.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration
JS 348: Mysticism and Philosophy: Jewish and Islamic Perspectives
RN 338, PH 408, STH TT 811.
Prof. Diana Lobel
TR 12:30-1:45pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First-Year Writing Seminar; and one course from among the following: Philosophy, Religion, Core Curriculum (CC101 and/or CC102)
A thematic introduction to mysticism and philosophy, with a focus on the dynamics of religious experience. Readings will be drawn from medieval Jewish and Islamic philosophy; Sufi mysticism and philosophy; Kabbalah, Sufi poetry, Hebrew poetry from the Golden Age of Muslim Spain.
BU Hub Units: Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Philosophical Inquiry and Life’s Meanings
History and Holocaust
JS 255: Modern Judaism
RN 328
Prof. Steven Katz
TR 3:30-4:45pm
4 credits
Encounters between Judaism and modernity from the Renaissance and Reformation; the Spanish expulsion and creation of Jewish centers in the New World; emancipation and its consequences; assimilation, Reform Judaism, Zionism, the American Jewish community, non-European communities, Jewish global migration, and modern antisemitism.
BU Hub Units: Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking
JS 257: Antisemitism after the Holocaust
Prof. Dotan Greenvald
W 2:30-5:15pm
4 credits
Are there new forms of antisemitism that have developed since the Holocaust? How have old forms persisted and reappeared indifferent guises? Did the Holocaust change our understanding of possible consequences of bigotry and hatred? These questions are discussed, along with similarities to other forms of bigotry and racism, and the relationship of anti-Zionism to antisemitism.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking
JS 367: The Holocaust Through Film
XL 387
Prof. Nancy Harrowitz
TR 11:00am-12:15pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
An examination of film using the Holocaust as its central topic. What are the political and cultural effects when genocide is represented through film? Can feature films portray history, and if so, what are the consequences for an informed society?
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Writing- Intensive Course
JS 460: Seminar on the Holocaust
RN 460
Prof. Steven Katz
M 2:30-5:15pm
4 credits
This course will examine historical, ethical and religious issues arising from the Holocaust. We will discuss antisemitism and ideology; what communities were considered “other”; human motivation regarding collaborators, perpetrators and bystanders; the role of individuals, organizations and governments; the treatment of women; the ethics of resistance; the behavior of the Jewish Councils; and attitudes to the existence of God during and after the Holocaust. We will also compare the Holocaust to contemporary crises now occurring around the world.
BU Hub Units: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Historical Consciousness
Contemporary Jewish Societies and Cultures, Including Israel Studies
JS 282: Sixth Sem Hebrew: Israeli Food Culture
LH 312
Prof. Mira Angrist
MWF 12:20-1:10pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS LH 311 or placement test results.
This course is taught in Hebrew. Israel has a rich cuisine that reflects the diversity of Israeli society, Jewish and Arab culinary traditions, and a wide range of regional influences. Through reading/viewing a variety of authentic materials, students will enhance their language and cultural proficiency.
BU Hub Units: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation
JS 285: Israel: History, Politics, Culture
HI 392, LH 284
A1: Prof. Ingrid Anderson MWF 12:20-1:10pm
B1: Romy Neumark MWF 11:15am-12:05pm
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
Using a broad array of readings, popular music, documentaries, film and art, this course explores Israel’s political system, culture, and society, including the status of minorities in the Jewish state; post-1967 Israeli settlement projects; and the struggle for Israel’s identity.
BU Hub Units: Writing- Intensive Course, The Individual in Community, Critical Thinking
JS 286: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
HI 393
A1: Prof. Nahum Karlinsky TR 2:00-3:15pm
B1: Prof. Ingrid Anderson TR 3:30-4:45pm
History of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, analysis of conflicting narratives through primary sources and film. Students present their own reflections on the conflict and debate possibilities of resolution. Counts toward majors and minors in History, International Relations, Middle East & North Africa Studies, and Jewish Studies.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
JS 377: Gender and Sexuality in Judaism
RN 337, WS 337, HI 205
Prof. Deeana Klepper
TR 11:00am-12:15pm
4 credits
Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120).
Explores the role of gender and sexuality in Judaism and Jewish experience, historically and in the present. Subjects include constructions of masculinity and femininity, attitudes toward (and uses of) the body and sexuality, gendered nature of religious practice and authority.
BU Hub Units: Writing-Intensive Course, Historical Consciousness, Research and Information Literacy
JS 388: The Israeli Settlement Project: History and the Dynamics of Power, Religion and Politics
HI 376
Prof. Dotan Greenvald
M 2:30-5:15pm
This course explores the Israeli settlement movement’s evolution, focusing on the religious right’s ideological, political, and societal impact from the 1970s to today. Students will analyze its historical roots, legal structures, and implications for Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dynamics.
BU Hub Units: Historical Consciousness, Social Inquiry I, Writing-Intensive Course