Prof. TBA
Builds basic skills in modern standard Arabic, the language read and understood by educated Arabs from Baghdad to Casablanca.

Prof. TBA
Builds on the skills acquired in Elementary Arabic, with increased emphasis on writing and reading from modern sources in addition to aural/oral proficiency.

Prof. TBA
Course description coming soon.

Prof. TBA
Active introduction to modern Hebrew as it is spoken and written in Israel today. Presents the essentials of Hebrew grammar, combining the oral-aural approach with formal grammatical concepts. Reinforces learning by reading of graded texts. Emphasizes the acquisition of idiomatic conversational vocabulary and language patterns.

Prof. TBA
Continuation of Elementary Hebrew I.

Prof. TBA
Builds on skills acquired in Elementary Hebrew I and II and develops a deepening command of all linguistic skills. Modern literary and expository texts are read to expand vocabulary and grammatical knowledge, with conversation and composition exercises built around the texts. Introduces selections from Israeli media. Addresses the relationship between classical and modern Hebrew.

Prof. TBA
Continuation of Intermediate Hebrew I.

Prof. TBA
Aimed at training students in exact and idiomatic Hebrew usage and at acquiring facility of expression in both conversation and writing. Reading and discussion of selections from Hebrew prose, poetry, and current periodical literature.

Prof. Meirav Aharon-Gutman
Studying in Israel provides a unique opportunity to learn Qualitative Research Methods in a new site - Israel. As a visitor to Israel -- a stranger -- you will bring a unique perspective. The stranger can see things that the subjects can not. More important still, the stranger sees things in a critical way. This course will provide you with a toolbox that will help you collect, document and understand important aspects of Israeli reality. In class, we will read classics of social science theory and methods, and in the real world outside our windows we will explore and challenge those materials in engaged interaction with everyday Israel. As it is crucial to share not only knowledge but experience, some class meetings will take place "out there," and each student will conduct a small fieldwork.

Prof. Eytan Fox
Cross-listed with V30.9524 (Dramatic Literature)

The course will enrich the students’ understanding of Israeli Cinema as a microcosm of the young, vibrant, and continually changing Israeli state and society. We will analyze the cinematic expression of the themes behind the inception and evolution of the small yet multifaceted country, and note the differences between the cinema of the first and second wave of Israeli filmmakers.

Prof. Dana Olmert
Cross-listed with V78.TBA (Hebrew & Judaic Studies). Currently pending approval from Comparative Literature.

The course provides a broad overview of modern Jewish and Israeli history through its reflections and refractions in Hebrew Literature published between 1878 and 1990. We shall begin by looking at the struggles of the orthodox Jewish community in Eastern Europe with the progressive movement of the “Haskala” as they are represented in the literature of Mendele Mocher Seforim. Other turning points and major conflicts of modern Jewish and Israeli societies that will be of interest to us are the crystallization of Jewish national thought at the turn of the twentieth century; The implications of Zionist nationalism on the normative images of femininity and masculinity; The second world war and the Jewish holocaust; The establishment of the state of Israel; Israel’s recurring wars with its Arab neighbors; Ethnic conflicts In Israeli society; The Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it is portrayed in literature written both by Jewish and Arabs and finally, reflection of postmodern thought and concepts of identity in contemporary Hebrew fiction.

Prof. Eytan Fox
Cross-listed with H36.0136 (Cinema Studies, Tisch)

The course will enrich the students’ understanding of Israeli Cinema as a microcosm of the young, vibrant, and continually changing Israeli state and society. We will analyze the cinematic expression of the themes behind the inception and evolution of the small yet multifaceted country, and note the differences between the cinema of the first and second wave of Israeli filmmakers.

Prof. Ze'ev Emmerich
Cross-listed with V93.9970 (Sociology)

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of the production of everydayness in Israel as it is manifested in different sites: the arts, the leisure industry and the spatio-temporal arrangements of daily routines and practices. The course will include: 14 lectures on aspects of Israeli politics and culture; visits to art exhibitions, music venues and the cinema; and observation of street life in Tel Aviv (day and night). Given its unique geo-political circumstances as well as its symbolic position, Israel has attracted much attention. This is equally true of media coverage as well as more scholarly treatment of the Israeli-Arab or Israeli-Palestinian conflict. More often than not, Israel is portrayed through the lens of high politics or treated as an exotic anomaly. Whether popular or academic in its orientation, the study of Israeli society has thus tended to neglect everyday life in Israel.

Prof. Dana Olmert
Cross-listed with V29.TBA (Comparative Literature).

The course provides a broad overview of modern Jewish and Israeli history through its reflections and refractions in Hebrew Literature published between 1878 and 1990. We shall begin by looking at the struggles of the orthodox Jewish community in Eastern Europe with the progressive movement of the “Haskala” as they are represented in the literature of Mendele Mocher Seforim. Other turning points and major conflicts of modern Jewish and Israeli societies that will be of interest to us are the crystallization of Jewish national thought at the turn of the twentieth century; The implications of Zionist nationalism on the normative images of femininity and masculinity; The second world war and the Jewish holocaust; The establishment of the state of Israel; Israel’s recurring wars with its Arab neighbors; Ethnic conflicts In Israeli society; The Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it is portrayed in literature written both by Jewish and Arabs and finally, reflection of postmodern thought and concepts of identity in contemporary Hebrew fiction.

Prof. Yuval Gadot
The distant past of the Biblical Land of Israel is anything but passive. Events that had taken place thousands of years ago are still shaping contemporary societies and our present values around the globe. Biblical (old and new Testament) history is a fundamental component in the way children are brought up in Christian, Muslim and Jewish Societies. The past is also at the base of the present day conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis over the future of the land. The course offers a panoramic and comprehensive view of the social and political history of the Biblical Land of Israel and its relevance to present days. In the first meetings, the students will be introduced to Archaeology as a discipline and be familiarized with the archaeology of Biblical Israel. Following this, the course will offer a review of eight cross-cutting topics that encompass the economic, social and political fundamental structures which shape the region to date. Throughout the course, case-studies from the long history of the land will be chosen in order to illuminate the discussion. The course ends with a discussion over the relevance of the past to present days social and political issues and conflicts.

Prof. Benjamin Hary
Around the world, wherever Jews have lived, they have spoken and written somewhat differently from the non-Jews around them. Their languages have differed by as little as the addition of a few Hebrew words or by so much that they are largely unintelligible to outsiders. This class explores this spectrum of Jewish linguistic practice, including languages like Judeo-Arabic, Yiddish and Judeo-Spanish, as well as the use of Yiddish words among secular Jews in America today or Jewish Russian spoken in Israel today. The following issues will be dealt with through lectures, discussions, readings, and assignments: * How do Jews distinguish themselves linguistically from non-Jews? * What constitutes a Jewish language? * What are the differences between a language, a dialect and a religiolect/ethnolect? * What are some similarities and differences between Jewish languages in different times and places? * How are Jewish languages different from the related non-Jewish languages, and in what ways are they bearers of Jewish culture? * How does language help to construct identity and create community boundaries?

Prof. Ofer Nordheimer Nur
This course will be offered under Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and is currently pending approval by the History Department. Course description coming soon.

Prof. Yuval Gadot
This course will be offered under Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and is currently pending approval by the History Department. The distant past of the Biblical Land of Israel is anything but passive. Events that had taken place thousands of years ago are still shaping contemporary societies and our present values around the globe. Biblical (old and new Testament) history is a fundamental component in the way children are brought up in Christian, Muslim and Jewish Societies. The past is also at the base of the present day conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis over the future of the land. The course offers a panoramic and comprehensive view of the social and political history of the Biblical Land of Israel and its relevance to present days. In the first meetings, the students will be introduced to Archaeology as a discipline and be familiarized with the archaeology of Biblical Israel. Following this, the course will offer a review of eight cross-cutting topics that encompass the economic, social and political fundamental structures which shape the region to date. Throughout the course, case-studies from the long history of the land will be chosen in order to illuminate the discussion. The course ends with a discussion over the relevance of the past to present days social and political issues and conflicts.

Prof. Ofer Nordheimer Nur
This course will be offered under Hebrew and Judaic Studies, and is currently pending approval by the History Department. Course description coming soon.

Prof. Sylvana Foa
The goal of this course is to equip future journalists with the tools they will need to cover armed conflict safely, objectively and accurately. It will review the reporting of various conflicts beginning with the Crimean War and study how war reporting has evolved in the past century. For the non-journalist, the course will provide a foundation for critically judging the accuracy and objectivity of war coverage by both broadcast and print media. The course is designed as a seminar with active student participation in all discussions. Beyond the introductory sessions, the seminar will be issue- oriented and students will be expected to keep abreast of current events as a basic requirement of the course.

Prof. Abed Tayyara
This course examines the geography, histories, cultures, and diverse societies of the Middles East. It starts with a geographical and historical background, which illustrates the contributions of the ancient Middle Eastern civilizations to the history of the world. We will then proceed chronologically focusing on the important historical junctions that influenced and shaped the region today, specifically the emergence of Islam. Throughout the course we will concentrate on some major themes that will tie together the different areas under study, i.e. colonialism and anti-colonial struggle, the rise and the consolidation of state power, changing gender relations, and new ways of expressing group identity (e.g. local patriotism, Arab nationalism, and Islamism). The class will consists of lectures, discussions, films and other activities. Our reading will draw on a variety if approaches – chronological, thematic, and comparative.

Prof. Hilel Cohen
This course aims to introduce and analyze the history and the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is based on the assumption that understanding the conflict requires an acquaintance with the national narrative of each side, without ignoring the diversity within each party. During the course we will study the cornerstones of the Palestinian national ethos as well as of the Zionist one, become acquainted with Palestinian movements and Israeli parties; will understand why Israel encouraged the settlement of its citizens in the West Bank and how this affects the Palestinians; discuss the refugee issue, examine the failure of the peace process and the rise of Hamas to power, and assess the phenomenon of suicide attacks. The course is arranged chronologically.

Prof. Moshe Berent
Cross-listed with V93.9970 (Sociology) and V90.9613 (Religious Studies)

The purpose of this course is to examine the relation between religion and public life in both western and non western societies. Recently, the question of the relation between religion and public life has come to the fore again, for several reasons. First, the Third Wave of Democratization in certain Catholic, Orthodox and non-Christian societies has raised the question of the relation between religion and democratic political culture. Second, the immigration of non-Christians to certain western, ”Christian“ nations has tended to underline the Christian foundations of those national states. And third, the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world has sharpened the question of the relation between religion and public life in still other societies. All of these developments cast doubt on traditional theoretical formulations about both the privatization of religion and the secularization of the state. It seems that religion plays an important role in the formation of regimes and political patterns; that religious establishments and religious communities are occasionally involved in political struggles; and that religions introduce powerful symbols of identification that often mobilize the public for political purposes.

Prof. Michael Shalev
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the study of voter behavior in Israel. In particular, we will examine the role of the same social cleavages that are known to shape voting in other countries – particularly class and race/ethnicity. One key focus will be on the stark differences in both the party system and election outcomes between Jewish and Arab voters. Among Jews, the role of ethnic voting and its relationship to the class cleavage will be another key focus. The course will include limited hands-on data analysis by the participants, guided by the instructor.

Prof. Moshe Berent
Cross-listed with V53.9994 (Politics) and V93.9970 (Sociology)

The purpose of this course is to examine the relation between religion and public life in both western and non western societies. Recently, the question of the relation between religion and public life has come to the fore again, for several reasons. First, the Third Wave of Democratization in certain Catholic, Orthodox and non-Christian societies has raised the question of the relation between religion and democratic political culture. Second, the immigration of non-Christians to certain western, ”Christian“ nations has tended to underline the Christian foundations of those national states. And third, the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world has sharpened the question of the relation between religion and public life in still other societies. All of these developments cast doubt on traditional theoretical formulations about both the privatization of religion and the secularization of the state. It seems that religion plays an important role in the formation of regimes and political patterns; that religious establishments and religious communities are occasionally involved in political struggles; and that religions introduce powerful symbols of identification that often mobilize the public for political purposes.

Professor TBA

Course description coming soon.

Prof. Ze'ev Emmerich
Cross-listed with K20.9601 (Gallatin)

This course offers a unique opportunity to explore various aspects of the production of everydayness in Israel as it is manifested in different sites: the arts, the leisure industry and the spatio-temporal arrangements of daily routines and practices. The course will include: 14 lectures on aspects of Israeli politics and culture; visits to art exhibitions, music venues and the cinema; and observation of street life in Tel Aviv (day and night). Given its unique geo-political circumstances as well as its symbolic position, Israel has attracted much attention. This is equally true of media coverage as well as more scholarly treatment of the Israeli-Arab or Israeli-Palestinian conflict. More often than not, Israel is portrayed through the lens of high politics or treated as an exotic anomaly. Whether popular or academic in its orientation, the study of Israeli society has thus tended to neglect everyday life in Israel.

Prof. Moshe Berent
Cross-listed with V53.9994 (Politics) and V90.9613 (Religious Studies)

The purpose of this course is to examine the relation between religion and public life in both western and non western societies. Recently, the question of the relation between religion and public life has come to the fore again, for several reasons. First, the Third Wave of Democratization in certain Catholic, Orthodox and non-Christian societies has raised the question of the relation between religion and democratic political culture. Second, the immigration of non-Christians to certain western, ”Christian“ nations has tended to underline the Christian foundations of those national states. And third, the resurgence of religious fundamentalism in many parts of the world has sharpened the question of the relation between religion and public life in still other societies. All of these developments cast doubt on traditional theoretical formulations about both the privatization of religion and the secularization of the state. It seems that religion plays an important role in the formation of regimes and political patterns; that religious establishments and religious communities are occasionally involved in political struggles; and that religions introduce powerful symbols of identification that often mobilize the public for political purposes.