Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a minor in Israel Studies will:

1. Acquire fundamental literacy about Israel and its history, both pre-modern and modern.
2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of Israeli cultures and the arts.
3. Demonstrate basic knowledge of major topics in Israeli politics and/or technology.
4. Situate Israel in its cultural, social, and political regional contexts.
5. Acquire proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension in Hebrew at or above the ACTFL level of novice high.

Prerequisites

As a prerequisite or corequisite to the minor, students must complete 2 semesters (or the equivalent) of Hebrew language instruction to acquire basic linguistic and cultural competency in the country’s primary language.

Requirements

The Israel Studies minor requires six 4-credit courses. A grade of C or above is required in each course to receive credit towards the minor.

Required Courses (2)

1. HI 392/JS285/LH 284: “Israel History, Politics, Culture” (Gateway course)
2. One course on other areas of the Middle East, chosen from:
   • CAS XL 223: Introduction to Middle Eastern Literatures
   • CAS XL 380/WS 380/CI 380: Gender and Identity in Contemporary Middle Eastern Film
   • CAS HI 389: Americans in the Middle East
   • CAS IR 382/GE 382: Understanding the Modern Middle East
   • CAS IR 312/PO 369: Comparative Developments in the Middle East

Electives (4)

Choose four electives from the following list. No more than two can be Hebrew language and culture courses (LH) at the 300 level or above. One course in Arabic language can also count as an elective (CAS LY 112-304).

1. CAS JS 100: Cultures of the Jews (GCI,IIC,TWC)
2. CAS JS 121/RN 104: Judaism, Christianity, Islam (AEX, GCI, CRI)
3. CAS JS 130/LH 250: Modern Hebrew Literature (GLI, AEX, CRI)
4. CAS RN 220/JS 250 Holy City (AEX, IIC)
5. CAS JS/LH 283 Israeli Culture Through Film (AEX, GCI, WIN)
6. CAS JS 286/ HI 393 Israeli Palestinian Conflict (HCC, GCI)
7. CAS AR342/742/RN390/690: Archaeology of the Holy Land (ETR, DME, TCC)
8. CAS JS/EE 385 Israel and the Environment (SO2, ETR)
9. CAS JS/EE 387 Environmental Law in Israel and the Mediterranean (CRT, ETR)
10. CAS LH 311/JS 281: Voices in Israeli Society (GCI, DME)
11. CAS LH 312/JS 282: Food Culture in Israel (OSC, GCI)
12. CAS LH 330/JS 280: Israeli Popular Music (DME, GCI)
13. CAS LH 340/JS 380: Israeli Culture Through Media (ETR, DME)
14. CAS LY 112 Elementary Modern Arabic 2 (IIC)
15. CAS LY 211 Second Year Modern Arabic 1 (IIC)
16. CAS LY 212 Second Year Modern Arabic 2 (GCI, IIC)
17. CAS LY 214 Levantine Arabic 1 (IIC)
18. CAS LY 215 Levantine Arabic 2 (IIC, GCI)
19. CAS LY 303 Third Year Modern Arabic 1 (OSC, GCI)
20. CAS LY 304 Third Year Modern Arabic 2 (GCI, DME)
21. CAS LY 420 Arabic Media (DME, OSC, ETR)

Sample 4-Year Plans

Plan A

• Year 1: Finish Hebrew language prerequisite or corequisite
• Year 2: JS 285, one elective from Middle East studies
• Year 3: 2 electives in Israel Studies
• Year 4: Finish minor with 2 more electives

Plan B

• Year 1: Start language pre or corequisite; take one elective or required course
• Year 2: Finish language pre/corequisite; finish required course JS 285 or Middle East Studies requirement
• Year 3: 1 elective in Israel Studies; second required course if not already completed
• Year 4: Finish electives (2)

For more information, please contact Nancy Harrowitz, Professor of Italian and Jewish Studies, Director, Elie Wiesel Center for Jewish Studies at nharrow@bu.edu.