Please consult the online course catalog for cross-listed courses and full course information.
The courses listed below are provided by Student Information Services (SIS). This listing provides a snapshot of immediately available courses within this department and may not be complete. Course registration information can be found at https://sis.jhu.edu/classes.
Column one has the course number and section. Other columns show the course title, days offered, instructor's name, room number, if the course is cross-referenced with another program, and a option to view additional course information in a pop-up window.
This course is a survey of the history of Jewish magic, mysticism, and secret tradition from the Middle Ages till the 19th century. We shall explore the concept of the sod (mystery) and its historical variants. We shall read excerpts from the most important texts of Jewish esotericism, such as Sefer Yetzirah, the Bahir, and the Zohar. We shall also discuss “practical Kabbalah”, i.e. the preparation and use of amulets and charms, as well as demonic (and angelic) possession.
History of the Jews in Pre-Modern Times, from the Middle Ages to 1789
TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Katz, David
Smokler Center 213
NEAS-HISCUL, INST-GLOBAL, INST-NWHIST
History of the Jews in Pre-Modern Times, from the Middle Ages to 1789 AS.130.216 (01)
A broad survey of the significant political and cultural dynamics of Jewish history in the Medieval, Early-Modern, and Modern Eras.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Katz, David
Room: Smokler Center 213
Status: Open
Seats Available: 1/21
PosTag(s): NEAS-HISCUL, INST-GLOBAL, INST-NWHIST
AS.130.352 (01)
History of Hasidism
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Katz, David
Smokler Center 213
INST-GLOBAL
History of Hasidism AS.130.352 (01)
Although it appears to be a relic of pre-modern Judaism, Hasidism is a phenomenon of the modern era of Jewish history. This course surveys the political and social history of the Hasidic movement over the course of the last three centuries. Students will also explore basic features of Hasidic culture and thought in their historical development. Cross-listed with Jewish Studies.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Katz, David
Room: Smokler Center 213
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/19
PosTag(s): INST-GLOBAL
AS.130.441 (01)
Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Cooper, Stephanie Lynn
MSE Library Eisenberg
Elementary Biblical Hebrew II AS.130.441 (01)
Survey of grammar and reading of simple texts. May not be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. A continuation of Elementary Biblical Hebrew I.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Cooper, Stephanie Lynn
Room: MSE Library Eisenberg
Status: Open
Seats Available: 6/9
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.130.443 (01)
Readings - Hebrew Prose and Poetry
M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Cooper, Stephanie Lynn
MSE Library Eisenberg
Readings - Hebrew Prose and Poetry AS.130.443 (01)
Reading of Biblical Hebrew Prose, from texts such as the Pentateuch, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Cooper, Stephanie Lynn
Room: MSE Library Eisenberg
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/9
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.134.101 (01)
GOD 101: The Early History of God - Origin, Character, Practice
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Lewis, Ted
Gilman 130G
GOD 101: The Early History of God - Origin, Character, Practice AS.134.101 (01)
In a world of big ideas, there is none larger than that of God. Divinity is an ever-present topic for both religious devotees and hard core secularists—for anyone who embraces the humanities or
ponders what makes us human. Humans are, for better and worse, homo-religiosus (humans who practice religion) as much as homo-sapiens. But what do we know of God historically? How do we go about reconstructing divinity from ancient texts and archaeology? How do we best walk back in time to understand ancient Middle Eastern cultures that gave birth to notions of the divine that have come down to today’s Judaism, Christianity and Islam? This course looks synthetically at the vast topic of God—exploring questions of historical origin, how God was characterized in literature (mythic warrior, king, parent, judge, holy, compassionate) and how God was represented in iconography, both materially and abstractly. Secondly, how did belief intersect with practice? Using the indow of divinity, this course will peer into the varieties of religion experience, exploring the royal use of religion for power, prestige and control balanced against the intimacy of family and household religion. It will probe priestly prerogatives and cultic status, prophetic challenges to injustice, and the pondering of theodicy by poetic sages.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Lewis, Ted
Room: Gilman 130G
Status: Open
Seats Available: 4/15
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.120 (01)
Elementary Modern Hebrew
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Scott, Cameron David
Gilman 443
Elementary Modern Hebrew AS.210.120 (01)
Elementary Modern Hebrew is the first exposure to the language as currently used in Israel in all its functional contexts. All components of the language are discussed: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Simple idiomatic sentences and short texts in Hebrew are used. Students learn the Hebrew alphabet, words and short sentences. Cultural aspects of Israel will be intertwined throughout the course curriculum.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Scott, Cameron David
Room: Gilman 443
Status: Open
Seats Available: 7/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.121 (01)
Modern Hebrew for Beginners II
TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Bessire, Mirit
Gilman 474
Modern Hebrew for Beginners II AS.210.121 (01)
Hebrew for Beginners 106 is a continuation of Hebrew 105 and as such, students are required to have a foundation in Hebrew. The course will enhance and continue to expose students to Hebrew grammar, vocabulary, and syntax. All components of the Hebrew language will be emphasized in this course; we will highlight verbs, adjectives, and the ability to read longer texts. Speaking in Hebrew will also be highlighted to promote students’ engagement and communication. Cultural aspects of the language will be incorporated into lessons as well.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Bessire, Mirit
Room: Gilman 474
Status: Open
Seats Available: 13/15
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.163 (01)
Elementary Yiddish I
MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Lang, Beatrice
Smokler Center Library
Elementary Yiddish I AS.210.163 (01)
Look at Jewish history and culture backwards and forwards through the Yiddish language! The vernacular of Ashkenazi Jews for a thousand years, Yiddish connects back to recent and distant generations in Europe, America, and elsewhere. But Yiddish is not just a bridge to the past, it is also the center of vibrant contemporary cultures, both religious and secular.
This four-skills language class (reading, writing, listening, speaking) places emphasis on the active use of Yiddish in oral and written communication while guiding students towards the use of Yiddish as a tool for the study of Yiddish literature and Ashkenazi history and culture.
Cannot be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: MW 1:30PM - 2:45PM
Instructor: Lang, Beatrice
Room: Smokler Center Library
Status: Open
Seats Available: 14/17
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.164 (01)
Elementary Yiddish II
MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Shoulson, Sophia Elizabeth
Smokler Center Library
Elementary Yiddish II AS.210.164 (01)
Second semester of year-long course that includes the four language skills, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and introduces students to Yiddish culture through text, song, and film. Emphasis is placed both on the acquisition of Yiddish as a tool for the study of Yiddish literature and Ashkenazic history and culture, and on the active use of the language in oral and written communication. The class is using In Eynem, the brand new Yiddish language program from the Yiddish Book Center.
Cannot be taken Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Recommended course background: AS.210.163 or instructor permission.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: MW 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Shoulson, Sophia Elizabeth
Room: Smokler Center Library
Status: Open
Seats Available: 15/17
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.221 (01)
Intermediate Modern Hebrew II
TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Bessire, Mirit
Gilman 474
Intermediate Modern Hebrew II AS.210.221 (01)
Intermediate Hebrew level II is a continuation of the course Hebrew 205 and as such is a requirement for entry. In the course, grammatical aspects of the language will be introduced in the focus of past and future tenses. Combined and complex sentences with proper syntax and reading comprehension and writing skills will be required. Modern Israeli cultural aspects of the Hebrew language will be introduced as well and will be part of the holistic understanding of the modern language.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 3:00PM - 4:15PM
Instructor: Bessire, Mirit
Room: Gilman 474
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.264 (01)
Intermediate Yiddish II
TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Lang, Beatrice
Smokler Center 214
Intermediate Yiddish II AS.210.264 (01)
Continuation of Intermediate Yiddish I: this course will focus on the Yiddish language as a key to understanding the culture of Yiddish-speaking Jews. Topics in Yiddish literature, cultural history and contemporary culture will be explored through written and aural texts, and these primary sources will be used as a springboard for work on all the language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Lower Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 9:00AM - 10:15AM
Instructor: Lang, Beatrice
Room: Smokler Center 214
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.321 (01)
Modern Hebrew via the Lens of Israeli Cinema
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Bessire, Mirit
Smokler Center 214
Modern Hebrew via the Lens of Israeli Cinema AS.210.321 (01)
This course will expand students’ fluencies in Modern Hebrew through Hebrew-dialogic Israeli and Palestinian cinema, examining and comparing several layers of a contemporary Hebrew-speaking society. For this class, students will view, discuss, and write about films with Hebrew as the primary spoken language. Through aural interpretation and subtitles, students will understand, analyze, and reflectively discuss the diversity of Hebrew-speaking cultures within society and the provenance and intentionalities of the dialects exhibited throughout a given film. Linguistic nuance, slang, and interpretive aspects of Hebrew as shown in the chosen films will prompt students to examine this modality of the expression of contemporary Hebrew. The course will be taught primarily in Hebrew and will be open to students who have matriculated to at least 200-level coursework of Modern Hebrew.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Bessire, Mirit
Room: Smokler Center 214
Status: Open
Seats Available: 3/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.210.421 (01)
Yiddish For Reading Knowledge
TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Lang, Beatrice
Gilman 443
Yiddish For Reading Knowledge AS.210.421 (01)
This course is designed to open up the world of Yiddish culture and letters by helping students develop the skills necessary to read Yiddish texts in the original. Students will learn the Yiddish alphabet and be introduced to Yiddish vocabulary and grammatical structures, as well as to resources for reading Yiddish such as dictionaries and grammar guides. Students will read and translate texts of increasing difficulty and will have the opportunity to tackle texts in their own field of interest. A “fast track” will be offered to students with prior knowledge of German. No prior knowledge of Yiddish is necessary.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 12:00PM - 1:15PM
Instructor: Lang, Beatrice
Room: Gilman 443
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/12
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.211.315 (01)
The Meanings of Monuments: From the Tower of Babel to Robert E. Lee
TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Mandell, Alice H; Spinner, Samuel Jacob
Gilman 479
MLL-ENGL, INST-GLOBAL
The Meanings of Monuments: From the Tower of Babel to Robert E. Lee AS.211.315 (01)
As is clear from current events and debates surrounding monuments to the Confederacy, monuments play an outsize role in the public negotiation of history and identity and the creation of communal forms of memory. We will study the traditions of monuments and monumentality around the world – including statues and buildings along with alternative forms of monumentality – from antiquity to the present day. We will examine the ways that monuments have been favored methods for the powerful to signal identity and authorize history. This course will also explore the phenomenon of “counter-monumentality”, whereby monuments are transformed and infused with new meaning. These kinds of monuments can be mediums of expression and commemoration for minority and diaspora communities and other groups outside the economic and political systems that endow and erect traditional public monuments. The first half of the course will examine the theoretical framework of monumentality, with a focus on ancient monuments from the ancient Near East (e.g., Solomon’s temple). More contemporary examples will be explored in the second half of the course through lectures and also field trips. We will view contemporary debates around monuments in America in light of the long history of monuments and in comparison with global examples of monuments and counter-monuments. All readings in English.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: TTh 10:30AM - 11:45AM
Instructor: Mandell, Alice H; Spinner, Samuel Jacob
Room: Gilman 479
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/15
PosTag(s): MLL-ENGL, INST-GLOBAL
AS.211.440 (01)
Literature of the Holocaust
T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Spinner, Samuel Jacob
Gilman 55
MLL-HEBR, MLL-ENGL
Literature of the Holocaust AS.211.440 (01)
How has the Holocaust been represented in literature? Are there special challenges posed by genocide to the social and aesthetic traditions of representation? Where does the Holocaust fit in to the array of concerns that literature expresses? And where does literature fit in to the commemoration of communal tragedy and the working through of individual trauma entailed by thinking about and representing the Holocaust? These questions will guide our consideration of a range of texts — nonfiction, novels, poetry — originally written in Yiddish, German, English, French and other languages (including works by Primo Levi and Isaac Bashevis Singer). A special focus will be works written during and in the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust. All readings in English.
Credits: 3.00
Level: Upper Level Undergraduate
Days/Times: T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Spinner, Samuel Jacob
Room: Gilman 55
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/15
PosTag(s): MLL-HEBR, MLL-ENGL
AS.216.320 (01)
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Cultural Perspective
M 3:00PM - 5:30PM
Stahl, Neta
Maryland 309
MLL-ENGL, INST-GLOBAL
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Cultural Perspective AS.216.320 (01)
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often construed as impenetrable to outsiders, yet, cultural production emerging from this crucible is often presented as a “window” into the history, politics, and psychology of the conflict. Rather than operating from the assumption that culture is a mirror that simply “reflects” an objective reality, this course investigates how authors, filmmakers, and artists situated in the midst of the conflict produce art that reaches far beyond the representation of historical events, extending into the domains of religion, memory, fantasies, nostalgia, perceptions of space and time, body image and gender and sexual identities. The material covered will include feature and documentary film, literature, memoir, dance, visual art, photography and theater. All material will be taught in English translation.
