Jewish Studies (JDST)
JDST 544 BIBLICAL HEBREW I (3)
Introduction to Hebrew with emphasis on the grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and style of Biblical Hebrew. The fundamentals of Hebrew language; preparation to read and translate classical Hebrew texts. Foundation for continued studies of the classical Hebrew of the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic texts as well as the Hebrew of the contemporary idiom.
JDST 545 BIBLICAL HEBREW II (3)
Introduction to the fundamentals of Hebrew language; foundation for continued studies of the classical Hebrew contained in the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic texts as well as the Hebrew of the contemporary idiom. Prerequisites: JDST 544 Biblical Hebrew I or consent of instructor.
JDST 546 BIBLICAL HEBREW III (3)
Continued study of Biblical Hebrew tests with concentration on more complicated structures of Hebrew grammar, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary. Prerequisites: Six units of Biblical Hebrew or consent of instructor.
JDST 547 BIBLICAL HEBREW IV (3)
Reinforcement and expansion of existing knowledge of Biblical Hebrew; use of classical Hebrew texts to review Biblical Hebrew grammar and to build vocabulary; introduction of literary features in Biblical Hebrew narrative. Prerequisites: JDST 546 or consent of instructor.
JDST 600 BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND CIVILIZATION (3)
The Bible as the primary vehicle for the understanding of Israelite civilization. Critical examination of the Bible and its literature. Insights on literary form, style and function in ancient Israel; Israel's culture and history during the first millennium BCE; and Israel's religious ideas, institutions and theology.
JDST 610 DIASPORA JEWISH COMMUNITIES (3)
Survey of Jewish world following World War II, examining Jewish communities in Israel, North America, Western, Central and Eastern Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia. Jewish life in each region, diverse challenges to maintaining Jewish distinctiveness; Diaspora Jewish communities' changing relationship to Israel and Zionism; shifting role of Israeli Jewry and American Jewry on the world stage in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
JDST 611 AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY (3)
Comprehensive introduction to the 350-year history of the American Jewish community. The colonial and revolutionary periods: Jewish immigration to the U.S. from Central Europe (1840-1880) and Eastern Europe (1881-1924); life in the United Stated during the first half of the 20th century, including the impact of World War I, the depression, the Holocaust and the founding of Israel on American Jewish life; post-World War II developments including the crisis in Jewish liberalism, and complicated relations between Blacks and Jews; ethnic revival following the Six-Day War in 1967; debates over affirmative action; contemporary Jewish issues.
JDST 615 GLOBAL JEWISH LITERATURE (3)
Analysis of Jewish literature from around the world. Special focus on Asia, Africa, and South America. Focuses on issues of diaspora, globalization, anti-Semitism, and race.
JDST 625 RACE, GENDER, SEXUALITY, AND JUDAISM (3)
In-depth look at critical social issues in contemporary Judaism. Significant primary and secondary source analysis. Focus on Jewish law, tradition, practice, and identity.
JDST 630 MEDIEVAL JEWISH HISTORY (3)
Jewish history from the seventh century through the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.
JDST 631 JEWS IN THE MODERN WORLD (3)
Major transformations in Jewish history from the enlightenment through the conclusion of the twentieth century. Topics include: Jewish emancipation in Europe, religious transformations, the rise of modern anti-Semitism, East European Jewry and the emergence of Jewish politics and secular Jewish ideologies, the Zionist movement, the Holocaust, the founding and impact of the state of Israel, and the emergence of a vibrant American Jewish community.
JDST 641 CLASSICAL HEBREW LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE II: SECOND SAMUEL (3)
Advanced Hebrew course that surveys the biblical book of 2 Samuel. Prerequisites: 12 units of college-level Biblical Hebrew or consent of instructor.
JDST 650 SPECIAL TOPICS IN JUDAIC STUDIES (3)
Diverse topics in the study of Judaism. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units provided a different topic is selected.
JDST 662 MYSTERIES OF THE HOLY ZOHAR (3)
Exploration of some of the focal Zoharic of the Holy Zohar, the most influential Kabbalistic composition, important to core beliefs of Jewish spirituality. Zoharic language symbolism, the mystery of Ein-Sof and the Ten Sefirot, and other esoteric doctrines in the Zohar. Attention to basic Zoharic terminology in Hebrew and Aramaic.
JDST 663 CONTEMPORARY JEWISH ETHICS: RESHAPING THE JEWISH IDENTITY IN OUR GENERATION (3)
Innovative trends of Jewish ethics and spirituality in the new modern Jewish world. Contemporary ideologies of both secular and religious Judaism since the rise of Haskalah and Zionism. Reflections on the Jewish community in America, and on the Jewish people in Israel. Influential authors including Rosenzweig, Buber, Heschel, Kaplan, Soloveitchik, Agnon, Scholem, and Leibowitz. Jewish authenticity and individuality; existential freedom and ethical responsibility; assimilation and secularism; contemporary spirituality and creativity.
JDST 666 INTRODUCTION TO JEWISH THOUGHT (3)
Examination of the religious ideas and the historical developments of Jewish thought over the last two thousand years.
JDST 680 INTRODUCTION TO RABBINIC LITERATURE AND HISTORY (3)
Exploration of the history, literature and major personalities of the period from the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile (516 BCE) until the Arab conquest of Palestine (c. 634 CE).
JDST 683 DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH (1-4)
Research and reading with a topic to be selected by the instructor and student. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisites: graduate standing, 18 units of graduate work, and consent of program director.
JDST 685 JEWISH LAW AND ETHICS (3)
Cutting edge issues of ethical and legal concern as understood by traditional Jewish legal and ethical sources and by contemporary Jewish thinkers. Basic structure and methodology of Jewish law. Understanding of the system through examination of different issues.
JDST 697 DIRECTED READING IN JEWISH STUDIES (2-4)
Reading in areas with a topic to be selected by the instructor and the student. No more than 6 units of 697 and 797 may be applied toward a degree. Course may be repeated for a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisites: graduate standing, 18 units of graduate work, and consent of instructor and program director.
JDST 719 JEWISH STUDIES SEMINAR (0.5)
The seminar will be held three evenings each semester and be a combination of scheduled lecturers and faculty and student presentations. Register for this course every semester. Required of all Master's students.
JDST 783 HISTORY OF JEWISH BIBLICAL EXEGESIS I: FROM THE BIBLE TO THE CLOSE OF THE TALMUD (3)
Exploration of different ways the Bible was read and interpreted in ancient Jewish History Analysis of early history of different tools and approaches. Ways in which the Bible was understood within the Bible itself. Discussion of mechanisms such as trope and conscious preservation of variant reading. Examination of Bible interpretation in Philo, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Apocrypha. Rabbinic literature from the 2nd through the 7th centuries C.E. and the Bible.
JDST 784 HISTORY OF JEWISH BIBLICAL EXEGESIS II: FROM THE CLOSE OF THE TALMUD TO THE MODERN PERIOD (3)
Course analyzes the history of different approaches to understanding the Biblical text used by Jewish scholars from the 8th Century to contemporary times.
JDST 797 DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH IN JEWISH STUDIES (3)
Research and reading with a topic to be selected by the instructor and student. Special Permit required. Prerequisites: Graduate standing and 18 units of JDST core courses.
JDST 799 RESEARCH CONTINUUM (1)
One unit taken to maintain enrollment while completing non-thesis research. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: previous enrollment in JDST non-thesis research course; department consent required.
JDST 897 JDST THESIS (6)
Thesis research in Jewish Studies. An original investigation, using research methods and design, of a research problem. Students who have completed all other course requirements for the master's degree must register for JDST 897 for 6 units or take JDST 898 for three units for two consecutive semesters following completion of their didactic coursework. Special permit required. Prerequisites: Permission of graduate program director.
JDST 898 JDST THESIS (3)
Thesis research in Jewish Studies. This is JDST 897 taken over two consecutive semesters. Prerequisite: Permit from graduate program director.
JDST 899 THESIS CONTINUUM (1)
Continuation of thesis work until completion. Prerequisites: 6 units of Thesis JDST 897 or JDST 898.
JDST 999 JDST DOCTORAL CONTINUUM (1)
Doctoral thesis continuum.