Fall 2021 Jewish Studies

Location: 409 UH; Phone: (312) 996-3361.

Last generated: Friday, October 15 2021 09:28 AM CDT

NOTE: 500 level courses require graduate standing

JST 102

Introduction to Jewish History

3 hours. Same as RELS 126. Individual and Society, and Past course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
27209LCD11:00 AM - 12:15 PMTR1012LHShiran, AOn Campus
The Jewish People today comprise approximately one quarter of one percent of the worlds population. Despite their small numbers, their influence on religion and culture has been remarkable. This course will survey the history of the Jews primarily from a secular/academic perspective, that is, not as the sacred history of the people of the Bible, but as a socio-political phenomenon. Since Judaism the religion of the Jews has been important to the self-understanding of the Jewish people, some attention will necessarily be paid to the basic elements of Jewish religious tradition, as well as its relationship to Christianity and Islam. There will also be opportunities to reflect on what we mean by history, as well as to consider the relevance of the Jewish experience to that of other peoples, especially those who have been diasporic minorities. Course Information: Same as RELS 126.

JST 117

Understanding the Holocaust

3 hours. Same as HIST 117 and RELS 117. Individual and Society, and Past course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
20682LCD09:30 AM - 10:45 AMTR2082BHLyons, FMixed in-person & online instr

JST 125

Diaspora, Exile, Genocide: Aspects of the European Jewish Experience in Literature and Film.

3 hours. Same as GER 125 and RELS 127. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Taught in English. Restricted to students with Freshman class standing. Past, and World Cultures course.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
33394LCD01:00 PM - 01:50 PMMWF1202THLoentz, EOn Campus
Through literature and film students will gain an understanding of important aspects of the European Jewish experience before and after the Holocaust. We will read and discuss texts and films about Jewish life in German and Yiddish-speaking Central and Eastern Europe (and in other parts of the world to which Jews from Europe immigrated) from the Enlightenment to the present to learn about cultural interchange between Jews and non-Jews; Jewish cultural autonomy and Jewish nationalisms; migration, immigration, and exile; and racism, anti-Semitism, persecution, and genocide. No prerequisites. Taught in English. Course Information: Same as GER 125 and RELS 127. No credit toward a major or minor program offered by the Department of Germanic Studies. Taught in English.

JST 243

Politics and Government of the Middle East

3 hours. Same as POLS 243. Prerequisite(s): POLS 130 or POLS 190; or consent of the instructor. World Cultures course. Departmental Approval Required

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
39411LCD11:00 AM - 12:15 PMTRA0062LCATepe, SOn Campus

JST 494

Topics in Jewish Studies

3 OR 4 hours. Same as RELS 494. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): JST 101 or JST 102 or consent of the instructor.

CRNCourse TypeStart & End TimeMeeting DaysRoomBuilding CodeInstructorMeets BetweenInstructional Method
46473LCD03:00 PM - 05:30 PMM3012LHUnderhill, KOn Campus
3 hours "Writing in the Third Language: Between Theology and Materialism in Modern Central European Prose" Taking its inspiration from Jacques Derridas essay The Eyes of Language, this course will seek to explore how the concept of a Third Language, between theology and materialism, can be useful in the study and description of modern literary and critical texts. What does a text written in the third language look like? What does it sound like? Our study will consider 20th century works that are invested in summoning this adversity, and in using the text to open a space between non-sacred and sacred. Drawing on theoretical work by Walter Benjamin, Gershom Scholem, Giorgio Agamben, Alan Badiou, Emmanuel Levinas, and Derrida, we will explore the potential validity of the concept of writing in the Third Language, building a vocabulary of specific narrative strategies and formal techniques. Together we will test this concept against the work of modern Polish, Yiddish and German-language writers, including Franz Kafka, Bruno Schulz, Moyshe Kulbak, Itzik Manger, and Nachman of Bratslav. Theoretical and formal concepts explored will include: language as such or pure language; the Face and the Name; theatricality, gesture and mask; modern messianism; the dialectical image; the abyss, and the figures of clown, charlatan, magician and fool. Course Information: Same as RELS 494. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): JST 101 or JST 102 or consent of the instructor. Same as POL 460 & RELS 494. Restricted to Undergrad - Chicago.
46474LCD03:00 PM - 05:30 PMM3012LHUnderhill, KOn Campus
4 hours "Writing in the Third Language: Between Theology and Materialism in Modern Central European Prose" Taking its inspiration from Jacques Derridas essay The Eyes of Language, this course will seek to explore how the concept of a Third Language, between theology and materialism, can be useful in the study and description of modern literary and critical texts. What does a text written in the third language look like? What does it sound like? Our study will consider 20th century works that are invested in summoning this adversity, and in using the text to open a space between non-sacred and sacred. Drawing on theoretical work by Walter Benjamin, Gershom Scholem, Giorgio Agamben, Alan Badiou, Emmanuel Levinas, and Derrida, we will explore the potential validity of the concept of writing in the Third Language, building a vocabulary of specific narrative strategies and formal techniques. Together we will test this concept against the work of modern Polish, Yiddish and German-language writers, including Franz Kafka, Bruno Schulz, Moyshe Kulbak, Itzik Manger, and Nachman of Bratslav. Theoretical and formal concepts explored will include: language as such or pure language; the Face and the Name; theatricality, gesture and mask; modern messianism; the dialectical image; the abyss, and the figures of clown, charlatan, magician and fool. Course Information: Same as RELS 494. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): JST 101 or JST 102 or consent of the instructor. Same as POL 460 & RELS 494. Restricted to Graduate - Chicago or Graduate Non-Degree Chicago.