This course examines gender as a key category in Jewish thought and practice. We will examine different theoretical models of gender, concepts of gender in a range of Jewish sources, and feminist Jewish responses to those sources.

An introduction to the chemistry of elements. Topics include atomic structure and periodicity, symmetry, bonding theory, chemistry of the main-group elements and coordination chemistry. Laboratory introduces computational, preparative, and spectroscopic techniques.

Today democracy has acquired an unquestioned moral legitimacy, but the ubiquity of democratic states risks obscuring what is central to the practice of democracy. In this course, we will examine democracy as a historical tradition through its critics and defenders. Key historical moments will include 5th century BCE Athens, the Atlantic revolutions (France, US, Haiti), as well as 19th and 20th century Anglo-American debates about the democratization and expansion of state powers.

This course introduces students to the study of political thought, focusing on such concepts as freedom, power, equality, justice, and democracy. Over the course of the semester, students will develop a theoretical vocabulary with which to analyze both the history of political thought and contemporary politics. This course is writing-intensive; students will have the opportunity to rigorously analyze texts and hone their ability to write confidently and effectively.

Metaphysics is the study of what world is like. This course will survey of some major topics in metaphysics, with a particular focus on radical metaphysical arguments -- arguments that call into question our most basic beliefs about the world. Examples of questions that we will consider include: Do ordinary objects exist? Is there anything that makes persons distinct from other sorts of objects? Could things have been different than the way they in fact are?

Hearing voices is a fundamental human experience that is sometimes pathologized, sometimes sought after, and often terrifying. It has existed throughout history; current estimates suggest 4-10% of the population may at times hear voices. These experiences have been understood in dramatically different ways, and our readings will range widely across social, cognitive, biological, ethnographic, spiritual, and political perspectives. Several sessions will be co-taught (via video) with Jacqui Dillon, Chair of the Hearing Voices Network, England.

Relatively recent technological and methodological developments offer psychologists an opportunity to study social and intergroup behavior with greater sophistication than ever before. In this lab course, students will complete a semester long group research project that implements one of four possible innovative behavioral methods: Implicit association tests, social network analysis, physiological assessment, or a virtual world research method.

The first half of a yearlong course that introduces the basics of Modern Standard Arabic, this course concentrates on all four skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Beginning with a study of Arabic script and sound, students will complete the Georgetown text Alif Baa and finish Al Kitaab Book 1 by the end of the academic year. Students will acquire vocabulary and usage for everyday interactions as well as skills that will allow them to read and analyze a range of texts.