Jewish Humor

What part does humor play in Jewish culture? This course examines Jewish humor in literature, folklore, film, TV, and stand-up comedy. Topics include: the origins of modern Jewish humor, Yiddish satire and comedy, Jewish role in popular culture in the US, Europe, and Israel, and the relationship of Jewish humor to antisemitism. (Gen. Ed. AT, DG)

Film, Literature, Jews

This course examines the Jews' deep and complicated relationship to the literature, stage, and screen, and how that relationship has influenced cultural, national, and religious identity. Topics include: the theater/literature of religion; film and the immigrant experience; the history of Hollywood; and the work of Jewish actors and directors.

Jewish Art

This course introduces Jewish artistic traditions, including creation, patronage, and impact on major European, American, and international artistic movements. The course includes art from the Near East, Europe, Africa and the Americas, from ancient works to contemporary art, and will consider the impact of Jewish culture and philosophy on art and society. Media will include painting, sculpture, architecture, graphic novels, and video and performance art.

Jews & Challenges/Modernity

The emergence of modern Jewish identity and culture, focusing on the socio-economic, political, and intellectual forces which led to improved treatment of Jews. Topics include: Hasidim, Enlightenment, and the impact of the French Revolution. Analysis of the implications of modernity for the Jewish community and family, the synagogue, secular Judaism, and Jewish-Gentile relations. (Gen.Ed. HS, DG)

Women, Gender, Judaism

Historically, the figure of the "Jew" has been thought of as male. Making male experience normative has in turn shaped how Judaism itself has been understood. Shifting the basic terms and focus to include attention to women, gender, and sexuality significantly re-shapes our understanding of both Judaism and of Jewish culture/history. This course not only "fills in the blanks" of the missing women of Jewish history and tradition, but attends to questions of contemporary forms of Jewish women's and men's gendered lives, identities and sexualities.
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