Arkush, Allan, Associate Professor and Chair, PhD, 1988, Brandeis University: Modern Jewish history and thought. (1987)
Cohen, Daniela, Adjunct Lecturer, MS, 1994, Gratz College: Hebrew language. (1999)
Karp, Jonathan, Assistant Professor, PhD, Columbia University: Medieval and modern Jewish history.
Morell, Samuel, Associate Professor, PhD, 1966, Jewish Theological Seminary: Rabbinic literature. (1968)
Roemer, Rev. Carl, Adjunct Lecturer, ThD, 1990, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago: Second temple period; Judaism and the development of early Christianity. (1992)
Sussman, Lance J., Associate Professor, PhD, 1987, Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion: American Jewish history. (1986)
Weinstein, Jack, Adjunct Lecturer, MA, Columbia University; MLS, City University of New York: Yiddish language. (1995)
The Judaic Studies Department offers two BA degrees and two minor concentrations: a major and minor in the history and culture of the Jewish people as interpreted in modern scholarship and a major and minor in Hebrew language and literature. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of Judaic studies, the department draws on faculty from other departments, including the departments of history, sociology, political science, philosophy and Romance languages, in order to offer a wide variety of courses in all periods of Jewish civilization. Internships for credit in local Jewish agencies are also possible.
Judaic studies courses given by the Israeli universities in the SUNY study-abroad programs are applicable to the Judaic studies major and minor. SUNY programs in Israel are available through Albany, Buffalo and Oneonta.
Track 1: concentration in Judaic Studies.• JUST 241. Biblical History: Hebrew Origins to the Exile
• JUST 242. Jewish History: Second Temple Period
• JUST 243. Medieval Jewish History
• JUST 244. Modern Jewish History
An additional four departmental offerings, exclusive of HEBR 101 through 261. Electives must be approved by the departmental adviser for their inclusion as major requirements. A senior thesis may be substituted for one of these courses.
Language Proficiency Requirement:
Hebrew language proficiency at HEBR 204 level.
TOTAL COURSES: 8 (plus language proficiency requirement).
Track 2: concentration in Hebrew.
Three of the four core courses listed above.
• HEBR 204. Readings in Hebrew
• HEBR 261. Israeli Poetry and Prose
(HEBR 221, Hebrew Conversation and Composition, may be substituted with consent of the department.)
• HEBR 321 or another course in biblical literature.
• HEBR 331 or another course in rabbinic or medieval literature.
• HEBR 351 or another course in modern Hebrew literature.
• Another upper-level Hebrew course,
or a fourth core course,
or a course in Yiddish,
or ARAB 102, Elementary Arabic II
Students who place out of HEBR 204 or 261 must substitute an equivalent number of upper-level Hebrew courses. In addition, substitutions for HEBR 204 and 261 may include:
• A fourth core course.
• Courses in Yiddish.
• ARAB 102. Elementary Arabic II
TOTAL COURSES: 9
TRACK 1: Minor in Judaic Studies.
Three of the following core courses:
• JUST 241. Biblical History: Hebrew Origins to the Exile
• JUST 242. Jewish History: Second Temple Period
• JUST 243. Medieval Jewish History
• JUST 244. Modern Jewish History
Three other non-language-department offerings. The fourth core course may be substituted for one of them. Advanced Hebrew courses, if they are primarily literature courses rather than language courses, may be substituted with the prior consent of the department.
TRACK 2: Minor in Hebrew.
Six courses in Hebrew, at least two above the 204 level. HEBR 101 and 102
may be included among the required six courses.
Top
NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, all undergraduate courses carry four credits and are usually offered every year.
JUST 241 (also HIST 241). BIBLICAL HISTORY: HEBREW ORIGINS TO THE EXILE
A contextual approach to study of ancient Israel from Abraham to Deutero-Isaiah.
Introduction to biblical criticism and archaeology. Theoretical reconstructions
of
early Hebrew story to Exodus. Conquest of Canaan. Tribal League and its
institutions, kings, prophets and priests. Kingdom of Judah and Deuteronomic
reformation. Babylonian exile and reinterpretation of Israel’s faith. Original
source material in translation. May be used to fulfill all-college distribution
requirement as social science course.
JUST 242 (also HIST 242). JEWISH HISTORY: THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD —
EZRA TO THE RISE OF ISLAM
Emergence of Judaism from 535 BC to 635 CE Restoration under Persian rule.
Accommodation and resistance to Hellenism. Varieties of diaspora and Judean
Judaism. Historical Jesus and early Christianity. Tanna’im and efflorescence
of rabbinic Judaism. Amoraim and completion of Jerusalem and Babylonian Talmuds.
Original source material in translation. May be used to fulfill all-college
distribution requirement as social science course.
JUST 243 (also HIST 243). MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY
Jewish history from fall of Second Temple to expulsion from Spain. Medieval
Jewish communities with Islamic oikoumene; communities within Byzantine and
Latin Christendom. Economic and social evolution; religious, intellectual and
literary life during the period that saw the veritable crystallization and
formulation of Judaism. May be used to fulfill all-college distribution
requirements as social science course.
JUST 244 (also HIST 244). MODERN JEWISH HISTORY
Jewish society and culture from Spanish expulsion in 1492 to present day.
Emphasis on period since 1750, and Eastern and Central European communities.
Zionism, rise of Israel, American Jewish community. May be used to fulfill
all-college distribution requirement as social science course.
JUST 245 (also HIST 245). THE HOLOCAUST OF THE EUROPEAN JEWS
Study of extermination of six million Jews by Nazis and their allies during
World War II. History of anti-Semitism, rise of fascism, political structure of
Nazi rule, nature of prewar Jewish communities, Jewish resistance and response,
post-war attempts to understand the Holocaust (through literature, films,
theology).
JUST 247. REBIRTH OF ISRAEL
Situation of land of Israel, from Ottoman times to present, including rise
of Jewish nationalism (Zionism). World War I diplomacy, British Mandate,
emergence of State of Israel.
JUST 249. HOLOCAUST LITERATURE
Focuses on the writing of Holocaust survivors turned authors — Elie Wiesel,
Aharon Appelfeld, Tadeusz Borowsky, Arnost Lustig and Primo Levi.
JUST 250. AMERICAN JEWISH FICTION
An analysis of the Jewish experience through the fiction of Philip Roth,
Saul Bellow, Chaim Potok, Bernard Malamud, Cynthia Ozick and the drama of Wendy
Wasserstein, Barbara Lebow and Paddy Chayevsky. Among major themes examined:
assimilation, Zionism, social alienation, religion, America and the old, East
European world.
JUST 261. JEWS AND JUDAISM IN THE
UNITED STATES
Historical survey of Jews in America from 1654 to present. Early Sephardic
settlers. German Jews and reorganization of American Jewish life. Tradition and
religious reform in 19th century. Great migration of Eastern European Jews and
bifurcated community. Yiddish culture in America, Jewish labor, Zionism and
Conservative Judaism. Native anti-Semitism and Holocaust. Jewish life in
suburbia. Contemporary trends and issues including mixed marriage, feminism,
black-Jewish relations and neo-traditionalism.
JUST 262 (also SPAN 481A). SPANISH JEWS, MARRANOS AND SEPHARDIC CULTURE
Introduction to Hispano-Jewish and Sephardic literature and history with
focus on unique characteristics of Spanish Jews in Spain and later in the
Sephardic diaspora. Special emphasis on medieval anti-Semitism, conversion and
crypto-Judaism (marranism).
JUST 263. THE BIBLE: PART I
The five books of Moses, followed by the history of Israel and Judah (down
to the destruction of Jerusalem) and the books of prophecy. Texts read in
translation. Open to majors and non-majors.
JUST 264. THE BIBLE: PART II
The third section of the Hebrew canon (the "Writings"), also
selections from the Apocrypha and the entire New Testament. Texts read in
translation. Open to majors and non-majors. No course prerequisites, but those
unfamiliar with the earlier books of the Bible will have to read Genesis,
Exodus, Samuel and Isaiah or Jeremiah.
JUST 271. WOMEN IN JEWISH LAW
Explores areas of Jewish law that particularly concern women: women’s
observance of ritual law and contemporary discussion of that issue; marriage and
divorce; women’s property rights in marriage; sexual rights and obligations in
marriage; wife-beating and abortion.
JUST 280-289. SPECIAL TOPICS IN JUDAIC STUDIES
Intensive study of particular themes and problems determined in advance. May
be repeated for credit if different topic is offered.
JUST 381. TOPICS IN JEWISH THOUGHT AND SOCIETY: BIBLICAL TO RABBINIC
PERIODS
Important problems and themes in formative period of Jewish thought and
communal life: modern approaches to Bible, theodicy, apocryphal literature,
messianism, rabbinic schools, relationship between Judaism and early
Christianity. Specific topics determined in advance. May be repeated for credit
as topic changes.
JUST 382. TOPICS IN JEWISH THOUGHT AND SOCIETY: MEDIEVAL AND MODERN
PERIODS
Important problems and themes in medieval and recent Jewish life: mysticism
and messianism, rationalist, existentialist, naturalist philosophies of Judaism,
current American Jewish movements. Specific topics determined in advance. May be
repeated for credit as topic changes.
JUST 395. INTERNSHIP
Internship opportunities are available through Hillel Academy, Jewish Community
Center, The Reporter (newspaper), Judaic studies, Jewish Federation of Broome
County, synagogue administration and Chabad House. P/F only.
JUST 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY
Individual research under supervision of faculty member. Prerequisites: consent
of instructor and department chair.
JUST 490 A-Z. SENIOR SEMINAR
Primarily for Judaic studies majors, dealing with particular theme or
problem. Research paper required. May be repeated for credit if different topic
offered. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.
JUST 491. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE TEACHING
Independent study through teaching in particular Judaic studies course.
Course instructor directs students in preparation of syllabi, other course
materials, devising and reading examinations; lecturing and/or leading
discussion; academic counseling, etc. May be repeated for total of no more than
eight credits. Credit may not be earned in conjunction with course in which
student is currently enrolled. Does not satisfy all-college distribution
requirement. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and program. Students must
consult department for detailed guidelines.
JUST 499. SENIOR HONORS THESIS
Extensive research paper in some aspect of Judaic studies under supervision
of faculty member. Normally taken by honors majors in second semester of senior
year. Prerequisites: completion of core courses in Judaic studies, concentration
requirement of two topics courses either in period or discipline of Judaic
studies.
Yiddish
YIDD 101. ELEMENTARY YIDDISH I
Introductory course in which students acquire basic skills in reading,
writing and conversation. In addition to language sessions, the course covers a
variety of topics in Yiddish culture such as Yiddish theater, film, music and
literature.
YIDD 102. ELEMENTARY YIDDISH II
Continuation of YIDD 101, focusing on conversational Yiddish using in-class
dialogues and prepared oral exercises. Readings include stories from Zucker’s
text, vol. I; folk music; short stories; holiday-related passages from the
Prayer Book and the Bible. Sing-alongs, videotapes, Yiddish movie classics like
Tevye the Milkman.
YIDD 203. INTERMEDIATE YIDDISH
The third semester of Yiddish focuses on more advanced readings from Vol. II
of Zucker’s text. Selections include stories by Sholom Aleichem, Y. L. Peretz
and I. B. Singer. The course also deals with more complex conversation through
use of radio tapes, music tapes and theatre dialogue. Film and drama are
incorporated.
YIDD 391. PRACTICUM IN COLLEGE
TEACHING
Independent study through teaching Yiddish courses. Course instructor
directs students in preparation of syllabi, other course materials, devising and
reading examinations; lecturing and/or leading discussion; academic counseling,
etc. May be repeated for total of no more than eight credits. Credit may not be
earned in conjunction with course in which student is currently enrolled. Does
not satisfy major or all-college requirements. Prerequisites: consent of
instructor and program. Students must consult department for detailed
guidelines.
YIDD 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY
Individual research under supervision of faculty member. Prerequisites:
consent of instructor and department chair.
Hebrew
HEBR 101. ELEMENTARY HEBREW I
Essentials of pronunciation, grammar and syntax, basic vocabulary. Five hours a
week, including language laboratory.
HEBR 102. ELEMENTARY HEBREW II
Continuation of HEBR 101. Five hours a week, including language laboratory.
Prerequisite: HEBR 101 or equivalent.
HEBR 203. INTERMEDIATE HEBREW
Reading and discussion of unvocalized texts and active mastery of remaining
grammar. Three hours a week, plus language laboratory at instructor’s
discretion. Prerequisite: HEBR 102 or equivalent.
HEBR 204. READINGS IN HEBREW
Reading of increasingly more advanced texts and active mastery of their
vocabulary and idiomatics through conversation and composition. Introduction to
literary texts. Three hours a week, plus language laboratory at instructor’s
discretion. Prerequisite: HEBR 203 or equivalent.
HEBR 211. INTERMEDIATE HEBREW, ADVANCED
For students entering with some speaking knowledge of Hebrew, but with
limited grammatical training. Three hours a week, plus language laboratory at
instructor’s discretion. Prerequisite: some speaking knowledge of Hebrew and
consent of instructor.
HEBR 221. HEBREW CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION
Development of fluency in oral and written expression through discussion and
frequent composition on topics of current interest. Development of comprehensive
practical and idiomatic vocabulary, good style. Prerequisite: HEBR 204.
HEBR 261. ISRAELI POETRY AND PROSE
Reading and discussion of a variety of sophisticated Modern Hebrew texts
with emphasis on regularly used complex sentence structures, idiomatic usages
and vocabulary. Extensive individual reading and composition. Prerequisite: HEBR
204 or equivalent.
HEBR 280-289. TOPICS IN THE HEBREW TRADITION: LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION
Aspects of Hebrew literature: a particular genre or tradition; for example,
short story, poetry, drama, folklore, particular author or theme. Topic to be
determined. May be repeated for credit when content differs.
HEBR 321. BIBLICAL LITERATURE
Particular book, genre or theme. Topic to be determined. HEBR 321 taught in
Hebrew. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Prerequisite: HEBR 204
or equivalent.
HEBR 331. HEBREW LITERATURE BETWEEN
THE BIBLE AND THE MODERN PERIOD
A single genre, or survey of representative genres, such as midrash,
liturgy, poetry, Bible commentary. Topic to be determined. Prerequisite: HEBR
261 or equivalent.
HEBR 351. TOPICS IN MODERN HEBREW LITERATURE
Aspects of Hebrew literature from the end of the 18th century to the
present: short story, poetry, drama, particular author or theme. Taught in
Hebrew. May be repeated for credit when content differs. Topic to be determined.
Prerequisite: HEBR 261 or equivalent.
HEBR 397. INDEPENDENT STUDY
Independent study under supervision of faculty member. Prerequisite: consent
of instructor.
HEBR 398-399. HONORS THESIS
HEBR 393-394. JUNIOR HONORS
HEBR 498-499. SENIOR HONORS
Students applying for honors should have a 3.0 GPA overall, with a majority
of As in the department. The honors course includes significant reading in the
appropriate language, an examination on a reading list at the end of the first
semester of the course and a thesis of approximately 50 pages, due at the end of
the second semester of the course.
HEBR 707. RESEARCH SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS