JUDAIC STUDIES COURSE OFFERINGS
Winter 2002
The following list includes courses offered by faculty associated with the Center for Judaic Studies, as well as other courses of interest to Judaic Studies students. We try to make this list as accurate and comprehensive as possible. If you have questions about offerings or times, check with the department in which the course is listed for the latest information.
English (Division
361)
English 553
Jewish Literatures in America
Credits 3
TTH 2:30-4pm
Norich, Anita ([email protected])
Class number: 9990
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Reading fiction, poetry, and criticism, this course will examine some of the ways in which ethnic literature is produced and consumed in America. We will seek to expand what we mean by American literature by including perspectives, histories, and even languages not generally admitted into the discussion. What happens to our sense of American culture when we consider not only English, but also works written in immigrant or politicized languages (in this case, primarily Yiddish, but also Hebrew and Ladino)? Among our thematic concerns will be the contested cultural status of Israel, the Holocaust, American civil religion, and Jewish ritual and tradition. All works will be read in English; there are no language requirements for engaging these texts. We will read some well-known authors (Henry Roth, Anzia Yezierska, Delmore Schwartz, I. B. Singer, Saul Bellow, Cynthia Ozick, Grace Paley, Phillip Roth, Bernard Malamud), some unfamiliar ones (Yankev Glatshteyn, Moyshe Leyb Halpern, Anna Margolin, H. Leivick), and some others to be decided when we meet as a group. Requirements include an oral presentation, an end-of-term paper, and, of course, engagement in class discussion.
History (Division
390)
History 384
Modern Jewish History, 1880 to the Present.
Endelman, Todd ([email protected])
MWF 11-12
Credits 3
Class number:
18915
This course surveys the history of the Jewish people in
Europe, America, and the Middle East over the last one hundred years. The course
begins with the rise of virulent forms of semitism at the end of the nineteenth
century and examines how this undermined Jewish assimilation in Western Europe
and dashed all hope for emancipation in Eastern Europe. The course then
considers the various ways in which Jews responded to this new crisis:
nationalism, revolutionary socialism, emigration, assimilationist defense
activities, and conversion. The last third of the course is devoted to the drama
and often tragic events of the twentieth century that totally changed the face
of world Jewry � the Bolshevik revolution, the Holocaust, the creation of the
State of Israel, and the emergence of the American Jewish community as the
largest and most secure community in the history of the diaspora. There will be
a midterm and a 10-12 page paper.
History 628
Studies in Modern Jewish History
European Jewry in the Age of Illiberalism, 1870-1939
Endelman, Todd ([email protected])
M 7-9pm
Credits 2
Class number: 19478
This course is intended to introduce graduate students to the central issues in European Jewish history from the end of the age of emancipation to the start of World War II. In most countries in Western and Central Europe, this period witnessed the failure of Jewish emancipation and the dashing of expectations to which it had given birth. In Eastern Europe, the failure of the tsarist empire to reform itself foreclosed any possibility of western-style emancipation. As a result, Jews in both the East and the West sought new solutions to what was now being called the �Jewish Questions� � among them, revolutionary socialism, Jewish nationalism, radical assimilation, aestheticism, and various universalistic creeds. In addition, in the East, millions of Jews voted with their feet and fled westward, to Berlin, Vienna, Paris, London, and, above all, the cities of the New World. While it is easy to stereotype this period as one of mounting despair and danger, this was also a period of intellectual ferment, cultural creativity, and, in the case of the Western Jewish bourgeoisie, material security. The tensions between these seemingly opposite trends will form one of the focal points of the seminar.
Judaic Studies (Division
407)
Judaic 102/Yiddish 102
Elementary Yiddish II.
Szabo, Vera ([email protected])
Prerequisites: Yiddish 101.
Credits: 3
REC
MWF 12n-1pm
Class number: 4137/8393
This
is the second of a two-term sequence designed to develop basic skills in
speaking, understanding, reading, and writing Yiddish. Active class
participation is required, as are periodic quizzes, exams, a midterm and
final.
Judaic 202/ Yiddish 202
Intermediate Yiddish II.
Szabo, Vera ([email protected])
Prerequisites: Yiddish 201.
Credits: 3
REC
MWF 2-3pm
Class number: 4138/8560
This
is the fourth term of a language sequence in Yiddish. The course is designed to
develop fluency in oral and written comprehension, and to offer a further
understanding of the culture within which Yiddish has developed. Special
emphasis will be devoted to reading material. Course grade will be based on
exams, quizzes, written work, and oral class participation
Judaic 296/ HJCS296/Rel296
Perspectives on the Holocaust
Ginsburg, Elliot ([email protected])
Credits 4
Lecture
TTH 2:30-4pm
Class number: 19598/19574/19599
A study of the Holocaust as a historical event and its impact on Jewish thought and culture. We first survey the historical context: the European Jewish community on the eve of the destruction, and the events leading up to and culminating in that destruction. We then will focus on inner Jewish (and gentile) reactions to the Holocaust, and broader philosophical and ethical implications. We ask: What are the problems (moral, emotional, conceptual) in reading and writing about the Holocaust? What are its implications for those of us who come "after"? The course is also a meditation on visions of the Other, on ethnic-religious hatred, tolerance, and healing. Course materials include memoirs, poetry, fiction, psychological literature, as well as conversations with survivors. Take-home midterm; final exam; 5-8 page paper; journal.
Judaic 333
Yiddish Literature in Translation: Introduction to Yiddish Literature and Folklore � The Golden Tradition
Szabo, Vera ([email protected])
3 credits
T Th 10-11:30am
Class number: JS 19667
This course will introduce students to the
development of Yiddish literature during the 19th and 20th century and its
connections to Eastern European Yiddish folklore. We will get acquainted with
the substance of Yiddish folklore, explore the channels through which it entered
modern Yiddish literature and examine how folklore inspired Yiddish fiction,
drama and poetry. We will look at how secular Yiddish writers emerged from
traditional Jewish society and how their writings portray its transformation. We
will also peak into a similar development in other forms of art, e.g. painting
and music. Among the writers whose works will be read are Sholem Aleichem, Sh.
Ansky, Y. L. Perets, Itsik Manger, M. L. Halpern, Anna Margolin and I.B.
Singer.
Course requirements include weekly reading
assignments, active classroom participation, one short oral presentation by each
student and three essays of three to five pages. There are no prerequisites for taking
this class and knowledge of Yiddish is not expected.
Judaic 495.888 / Psych 401.009 / REES 410
Psychology of Ethnic Conflict: Poles, Jews, Ukrainians
Ginsburg, et al. ([email protected])
Mini course
Meets March 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, & 25; MW 4-5:30pm
2004 MLB
Hartman, John ([email protected])
Credits 1
Laboratory fee ($10) required.
Meets March 6, 11, 13, 18, 20 and 25.
Class number: 19810/21337/19154
The purpose of the course is to explore the nature and causes of ethnic conflict among Poles, Ukrainians, and Jews in the 20th century from the viewpoint of the psychology of large groups. Nationalism in the context of massive psychic trauma will be discussed in terms of collective memory, identity diffusion, and failure to mourn.
Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies
(ACABS) (Division 314)
ACABS 102
Elementary Biblical Hebrew II
Credits 3
TTH 9-10:30am
Class number: 2087
A continuation of ACABS 101 with increased emphasis on the Biblical Hebrew verbal system and syntax as presented in Seow's A Grammar for Biblical Hebrew (revised). Additionally, students will be introduced to select readings from the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Final grades will be based upon daily class performance and homework assignments, quizzes, and two exams.
ACABS202
Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II
Krahmalkov, Charles
([email protected])
Credits 3
MW 10-12pm
Meets with ACABS 602
Class number: 2088
As a continuation of ACABS 201, the students will be introduced to additional elements of Biblical Hebrew syntax and other aspects of advanced grammar. Further selected Biblical texts will be read, and their historical and literary backgrounds analyzed and discussed.
ACABS602
Adv. Read Classical Hebrew
Krahmalkov, Charles ([email protected])
Credits 3
MW 10-12pm
Meets with ACABS 202
Class number: 2093
As a continuation of ACABS 601, the students will be introduced to additional elements of Biblical Hebrew syntax and other aspects of advanced grammar. Further selected Biblical texts will be read, and their historical and literary backgrounds analyzed and discussed.
Hebrew and Jewish
Cultural Studies (HJCS) (Division 389)
HJCS102
Elem Modern Hebrew II
Credits 5
MWF
Continuation of the development of basic communication skills of reading, writing, and speaking modern standard Hebrew. Class drills, class discussions in Hebrew, language laboratory drills.
9-11am
Weizman, Pauli (pauliw@umich.edu)
Class number: 3804
11-1pm
Weizman, Pauli (pauliw@umich.edu)
Class number: 3805
11-1pm
Eliav, Milka (milka@umich.edu)
Class number: 3806
1-3pm
Eliav, Milka (milka@umich.edu)
Class number: 3807
HJCS202
Intermediate Modern Hebrew II
Credits 5
MWF
The focus of instruction will be on the four language skills with a continued emphasis on oral work and writing. In addition to continued study of morphology and syntax, some readings selections in fiction and non-fiction prose will be introduced.
9-11am
Yavin, Omri (omriy@umich.edu)
Class number: 3808
11-1pm
Yavin, Omri (omriy@umich.edu)
Class number: 3809
11-1pm
Rosenburg, Ilan (ilanr@umich.edu)
Class number: 3810
1-3pm
Rosenburg, Ilan (ilanr@umich.edu)
Class number: 3811
HJCS296/Rel296/ Judaic 296
Perspectives on the Holocaust
Ginsburg, Elliot (elgins@umich.edu)
Credits 4
Lecture
TTH 2:30-4pm
Class number: 19574/19599/19598
See Judaic 296 for description.
HJCS302
Advanced Hebrew II
Tsoffar, Ruth (rtsoffar@umich.edu)
Credits 3
TTH
11:30-1pm
Class number: 19380
This course is a continuation of the Hebrew sequence comprising the second term of the third-year Hebrew class. (Participation in Hebrew 301 offered in the previous term is not required if the student is at the advanced level.) The focus will be on developing proficiency in all five languages skills. Student participation is an essential part of the course. Readings will include short works of fiction as well as journalistic pieces. This will be supplemented by other media including music, video, recordings, readings, etc. Students' grades will be determined on the basis of assignments, participation (including in-class presentations), and a final exam.
HJCS472
Intro to Modern Hebrew Literature II
Credits 3
TTh 11:30-1pm
Yosef, Raz
Class number: 3823
The course will discuss, compare and contrast the relationship between major Modern Hebrew writings and film adaptations. Tracing artistic, stylistic, thematic and ideological similarities and differences between novel and film, the class will explore to the ways meanings are produced, recycled and transformed from novel to screen. The issues raised include: can an adaptation ever be "faithful" to its literary source? What kinds of stylistic equivalencies and transmutations are possible across the two media? Using feminist, post-colonial and critical historiographic theories, the reading of both the literary and cinematic works examines central historical and political discourses of Israeli society.
HJCS491
Section 001
Meets together with Judaic 317.001 and Comp Lit 490.002
Topics: Ethnicity & the Politics of Culture in Hebrew Literature
Ruth Tsoffar
W 6-9pm
Class number: HJCS19379/Judaic Studies 11817/ Comp Lit 20165
HJCS491
Section 002
Nationalism & Visual Culture: The Case of Israel
Yosef, Raz
Time TTh 4-5:30pm
Class number: 19549
This course explores the complex role played by Israeli cinema in the construction of modern Israeli nationalism along the axes of cardinal historical and socio-political events and discourses of the Israeli society, such as the Zionist project, the military culture, the interethnic tension between Mizrahi and Askenazi Israeli Jews, the Holocaust and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Using post-colonial, feminist, queer and critical historiographic methodologies, the class will examine visual tropes, themes and narratives structures that informed the representation of Israeli national identity. Critically viewing classical and contemporary Israeli films, the class will try to expose the ambivalence, contradictions and multiple voices of the Israeli society, offering alternative readings to the dominant national discourse. This course is open to undergraduates and graduate students. Graduate students have additional assignment and are expected to write a longer and more theoretically-oriented paper.
Political Science (Division
450)
Political Science 353
The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Tessler, Mark ([email protected])
Credits 4
TTh 11-12pm
Class number: 11063
Laboratory fee ($30) required.
This course will present
both factual and interpretive material about the Arab- Israeli conflict, an
international dispute that has lasted for almost a century and whose
significance extends far beyond the Middle East. After providing background
information about Israel and the Arab world, including the Arabs of Palestine,
the course will trace the historical development of the conflict from its
origins in the 19th century until the present. The course will also examine the
most important issues associated with the conflict, giving special attention to
the competing territorial claims advanced by Israelis and Palestinians and to
the rights of self-determination asserted by each. Attention will be given as
well to relations between Israel and the Arab states. In discussing the many
controversial issues associated with the Arab-Israeli conflict, the course will
strive for objectivity and balance and will encourage the evaluation of
differing points of view, including not only the competing views of Israelis and
Arabs but also the important differences existing within Israel and the Arab
world. The instructor for the course has attended university and subsequently
conducted research in both the Arab world and Israel, having spent over four
years in the former and almost three years in the latter. He visits the area
frequently and regularly collaborates with Israeli and Arab scholars.
Reading:
The principal text is A History of the Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict, an analytical and historical study by the instructor. This book
has won several national awards. Also required is Negotiating Arab-Israeli
Peace: Patterns, Problems, Possibilities by Laurie Zittrain Eisenberg and
Neil Caplan. Both books are published by Indiana University Press.
Religion (Division
457)
Rel296/ Judaic 296/ HJCS296
Perspectives on the Holocaust
Ginsburg, Elliot ([email protected]
Credits 4
Lecture
TTH 2:30-4pm
Class number: 19599/19598/19574
See Judaic 296 for description.