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The Minor in Modern Jewish and Israel Studies

Course Requirements for the Minor: 18-20 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this minor.

Language Requirement

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
HBRW 101A Beginning Hebrew I   4.0 FS  GE
Introduction to the Modern Hebrew language and culture. Emphasis is on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Modern Hebrew. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020724)
HBRW 102A Beginning Hebrew II   4.0 SP  GE
Continuation of HBRW 101A. Emphasis is on the fundamental skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Modern Hebrew. 3 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. This is an approved General Education course. (020725)
HBRW 199 Special Problems   1.0 -3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: Faculty permission.
This course is an independent study of special problems and is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (020944)
HBRW 299 Special Problems   1.0 -3.0 FS  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (021051)
HBRW 399 Special Problems   1.0 -3.0 FS  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 3 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading. (021184)
HBRW 499 Special Problems   1.0 -3.0 INQ  
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Credit/no credit grading. (021335)

HBRW 199, HBRW 299, HBRW 399, and HBRW 499 may only be taken once for this requirement and must be taken for 3 units.

Interdisciplinary Studies

Survey

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
MJIS 204I Judaism and the Minority Experience   3.0 SP  GE  USD  WI
This course is also offered as RELS 204I.
This course surveys the texts, practices, and beliefs of Judaism, examines the development of the Jewish tradition in response to interactions with a variety of host cultures, and investigates how the Jewish experience complicates our understanding of what it means to be a minority. 3 hours discussion.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (005860)
RELS 204I Judaism and the Minority Experience   3.0 SP  GE  USD  WI
This course is also offered as MJIS 204I.
This course surveys the texts, practices, and beliefs of Judaism, examines the development of the Jewish tradition in response to interactions with a variety of host cultures, and investigates how the Jewish experience complicates our understanding of what it means to be a minority. 3 hours discussion.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (005860)

Formative Judaism

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
ENGL 355 Bible, Literature, and Culture   3.0 FA  GE
Study of the literary types and qualities of the English Bible and their impact upon British and American literature and language. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. (003471)
MJIS 303 Hebrew Bible   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as RELS 303.
An introduction to the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament of Christianity and the Tanakh of Judaism) in English translation. Readings from the Pentateuch, the prophetic books, and the hagiographa. The course emphasizes the analysis of the biblical books in their ancient Near Eastern contexts, the documentary hypotheses, Israelite history and religion, the formation of the biblical canon, and early Jewish and Christian scriptural interpretation. 3 hours lecture. (005858)
MJIS 305 Rabbinic Judaism: Talmud/Midrash   3.0 SP  
This course is also offered as RELS 305.
An introduction to the thought, texts, and culture of Rabbinic Judaism in the first through sixth centuries. Students become familiar with the historical and cultural background of classical Rabbinic society, from its origins in the Pharisaic movement in Palestine (Eretz Israel) to its pinnacle in the academies of Sassanid Babylonia. This course explores the oral-literary tradition that produced the Talmud and Midrash while allowing students to experience the dialectical style of study associated with Rabbinic culture. 3 hours lecture. (020503)
RELS 303 Hebrew Bible   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as MJIS 303.
An introduction to the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament of Christianity and the Tanakh of Judaism) in English translation. Readings from the Pentateuch, the prophetic books, and the hagiographa. The course emphasizes the analysis of the biblical books in their ancient Near Eastern contexts, the documentary hypotheses, Israelite history and religion, the formation of the biblical canon, and early Jewish and Christian scriptural interpretation. 3 hours lecture. (005858)
RELS 305 Rabbinic Judaism: Talmud/Midrash   3.0 SP  
This course is also offered as MJIS 305.
An introduction to the thought, texts, and culture of Rabbinic Judaism in the first through sixth centuries. Students become familiar with the historical and cultural background of classical Rabbinic society, from its origins in the Pharisaic movement in Palestine (Eretz Israel) to its pinnacle in the academies of Sassanid Babylonia. This course explores the oral-literary tradition that produced the Talmud and Midrash while allowing students to experience the dialectical style of study associated with Rabbinic culture. 3 hours lecture. (020503)

Holocaust and Genocide Studies

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
MJIS 253 The Holocaust: Background, Tragedy, and Aftermath   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as SOCI 253.
A sociological perspective is used to understand the Holocaust, examing the Nazi rise to power, and the changes in German society that led to persecution of Jews and many other groups. Students explore the role of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Other areas of interest include resistance and rescue, Jewish cultural responses to the genocide, and the aftermath of war 3 hours lecture. (005862)
MJIS 356 Genocide   3.0 FA  GC
This course is also offered as SOCI 356.
The social impact of acts of genocide around the globe is explored, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. This course examines the issues of ethnic and national identity, ethnocentrism, the role of technology, and issues of power. Also considered are the moral implications of genocide, as well as individual, social, and corporate responsibility. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (002230)
SOCI 253 The Holocaust: Background, Tragedy, and Aftermath   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as MJIS 253.
A sociological perspective is used to understand the Holocaust, examine the Nazi rise to power, and the changes in German society that led to persecution of Jews and many other groups. Students explore the role of perpetrators, victims, and bystanders. Other areas of interest include resistance and rescue, Jewish cultural responses to the genocide, and the aftermath of war 3 hours lecture. (005862)
SOCI 356 Genocide   3.0 FA  GC
This course is also offered as MJIS 356.
The social impact of acts of genocide around the globe is explored, from the beginning of the 20th century to the present. This course examines the issues of ethnic and national identity, ethnocentrism, the role of technology, and issues of power. Also considered are the moral implications of genocide, as well as individual, social, and corporate responsibility. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (002230)

Historical Context

1 course selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
HIST 362 The Middle East to 1800   3.0 FA  GC
This course is also offered as MEST 362.
Introduction to some major aspects of culture, society and the state in the Islamic Middle East, including Islamic religion, the Arab Empire, the family, law, roles of men and women, styles of living. Examination of the post-Mongol empires of Ottoman and Safavid, and their interaction with European powers in the early modern period. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004550)
HIST 322 Russian and Soviet History   3.0 SP  
The course covers the dramatic events of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 and the evolution of Soviet and Russian history up to the present. Emphasis is on the social origins of the Russian Revolution, how a revolution for social democracy gave rise to one- party rule, and the chain of events which placed the Soviet Union on a path leading eventually to its demise in 1991 and the recasting of politics and society. 3 hours seminar. Formerly HIST 421. (004530)
HIST 466 The Arab-Israeli Conflict   3.0 SP  
This course is also offered as MEST 466.
The development of Zionism and Arab nationalism since 1900; international politics and the creation of Israel; Arab-Israeli conflict since 1948 to the present; politics and society in Israel; Palestinian refugees and guerrilla groups; P.L.O. and the Palestinian nationalist movement; efforts and prospects for Arab-Israeli peace. 3 hours seminar. (004618)
MEST 362 The Middle East to 1800   3.0 FS  GC
This course is also offered as HIST 362.
Introduction to some major aspects of culture, society and the state in the Islamic Middle East, including Islamic religion, the Arab Empire, the family, law, roles of men and women, styles of living. Examination of the post-Mongol empires of Ottoman and Safavid, and their interaction with European powers in the early modern period. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004550)
MEST 466 The Arab-Israeli Conflict   3.0 SP  
This course is also offered as HIST 466.
The development of Zionism and Arab nationalism since 1900; international politics and the creation of Israel; Arab-Israeli conflict since 1948 to the present; politics and society in Israel; Palestinian refugees and guerrilla groups; P.L.O. and the Palestinian nationalist movement; efforts and prospects for Arab-Israeli peace. 3 hours seminar. (004618)
MJIS 205 Jews, Muslims, and the West   3.0 FA  GE  USD
This course is also offered as RELS 205.
This course traces the history of Jewish and Muslim engagement with the West, explores the diversity of Jewish and Muslim groups in contemporary Europe and the United States, and investigates how Western interactions with Jews and Muslims have defined and challenged European and American identities. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (020675)
MJIS 304 Judaism in America   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as RELS 304.
An exploration of the forces influencing, and the important events in, the emergence of Judaism in America. Attention is given to issues of community identity and the interaction of Judaism with the larger culture in the context of society and politics in America. 3 hours discussion. (005859)
MJIS 418 Government and Politics of Israel   3.0 F1  
This course is also offered as POLS 418.
This course will examine the Israeli political system from its early development to the present. The class will focus on the Zionist ideology of the founders and the transformation of that ideology during the state-building period. Israeli political institutions will be examined along with historical and contemporary political conflicts, the vagaries of the peace process, and Israeli-American relations. 3 hours lecture. (005865)
PHIL 386 Philosophy of Judaism   3.0 S2  
This course explores the major philosophical trends and traditions affecting Jewish life. Hellenistic and rabbinical philosophy, Philo to Maimonides, Spinoza to Moses Mendelsohn and the Enlightenment, and Hebrew-Yiddish renaissance to modern Zionism will be examined. 3 hours seminar. Formerly MJIS 386. (005861)
POLS 418 Government and Politics of Israel   3.0 F1  
This course is also offered as MJIS 418.
This course will examine the Israeli political system from its early development to the present. The class will focus on the Zionist ideology of the founders and the transformation of that ideology during the state-building period. Israeli political institutions will be examined along with historical and contemporary political conflicts, the vagaries of the peace process, and Israeli-American relations. 3 hours lecture. (005865)
POLS 446A International Relations of the Middle East   3.0 F1  
Analyzes the foreign policies of the Middle Eastern nations. Emphasizes Arab-Israeli and inter-Arab dynamics, the impacts of Muslim culture, sectarian strife, and the roles of external forces, including the superpowers. 3 hours lecture. (007565)
RELS 205 Jews, Muslims, and the West   3.0 FA  GE  USD
This course is also offered as MJIS 205.
This course traces the history of Jewish and Muslim engagement with the West, explores the diversity of Jewish and Muslim groups in contemporary Europe and the United States, and investigates how Western interactions with Jews and Muslims have defined and challenged European and American identities. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course. (020675)
RELS 304 Judaism in America   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as MJIS 304.
An exploration of the forces influencing, and the important events in, the emergence of Judaism in America. Attention is given to issues of community identity and the interaction of Judaism with the larger culture in the context of society and politics in America. 3 hours discussion. (005859)

Electives

3-4 units selected from:

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
ANTH 222 Archaeology and the Bible   3.0 FS  
Students examine the early civilizations of the Levant with foundations in the Early Bronze Age. The class focuses on Middle and Late Bronze Age period Canaan, the development of villages, towns, and societies during the periods of Canaanite and early Hebrew settlement. The focus of the course is with the cultural, demographic, political, and economic emergence of the nation of Israel with comparisons in the Old Testament and extra-biblical accounts of the period. Tools used in the examination include interpretation of evidence from archaeological excavations, historical materials, biblical and other textual sources, and area studies. 3 hours lecture. (020211)
HIST 261 Islam and the World   3.0 FS  GE  GC
This course is also offered as MEST 261, RELS 202.
Introduces students to the history, faith, practice, and cultures of Islam, starting with the Late Antique Near Eastern milieu from which it emerged and tracing its development and geographic spread around the world to the present day. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004515)
HUMN 220 Arts and Ideas: Ancient/Medieval   3.0 FS  GE
An overview of the artistic and intellectual heritage of the cultures of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, India, China, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Medieval Europe, and Islam from their origins to 1500 C.E. Comparative analysis of music, art, architecture, and primary texts (theatre, philosophy and religion, literature, history, and political science). 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (015843)
HUMN 222 Arts and Ideas: Modern   3.0 FS  
An overview of Western Culture from 1500 C.E. to the present, with selected reference to concurrent developments in India, China, Japan, Africa, and The Americas. Serves as a broad introduction to the major forms and types of artistic expression: sculpture, architecture, painting, philosophy, literature, drama, dance, film, and music, and includes comparative analysis of primary texts (theatre, philosophy and religion, literature, history, and political science). 3 hours lecture. (015845)
MEST 261 Islam and the World   3.0 FS  GE  GC
This course is also offered as HIST 261, RELS 202.
Introduces students to the history, faith, practice, and cultures of Islam, starting with the Late Antique Near Eastern milieu from which it emerged and tracing its development and geographic spread around the world to the present day. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004515)
MEST 302 Muhammad and the Qur'an   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as RELS 302.
This course introduces students to the sacred scripture and prophet of Islam. Students study the biography of Muhammad (570-632) and the text of the Qur'an by situating it within the context of Muhammad's life and career. By the end of the course, students are able to appreicate how devout Muslims view Muhammad and the Qur'an, as well as ask critical questions raised by modern scholars of religion. 3 hours lecture. (020263)
MJIS 489 Internship   1.0 -3.0 FS  
This course is an internship offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. (005866)

MJIS 489 may be taken multiple times for a maximum of 3 units to meet this requirement.

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
RELS 100 Judaism, Christianity, Islam   3.0 FS  GE
An analysis of the religions of the West: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. (008129)
RELS 107 Bible Controversies   3.0 FS  
This course considers the disputes over the interpretation of the Bible in Western culture. Did Moses and the prophets write the Hebrew Bible? Was the Bible intended as scripture, myth, or history? Why were books left out of the Bible? What are the differences between Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Protestant approaches to the Bible? In adition to examining books of the Bible in their original context, this course considers the Bible's role in ancient and contemporary disputes over the Sabbath, heaven and hell, the resurrection, the law, circumcision, divorce, the Trinity, salvation, slavery, polygamy, abortion, homosexuality, and feminism. 3 hours lecture. (008131)
RELS 202 Islam and the World   3.0 FS  GE  GC
This course is also offered as HIST 261, MEST 261.
Introduces students to the history, faith, practice, and cultures of Islam, starting with the Late Antique Near Eastern milieu from which it emerged and tracing its development and geographic spread around the world to the present day. 3 hours seminar. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004515)
RELS 207 Christianity   3.0 FS  
An introduction to the basic features of the Christian worldview through an analysis of its historical, ritual, doctrinal, ethical, and social-institutional dimensions. Special attention will be given to the diverse expressions of Christianity in different times and places and to its impact on human history, society, and culture. 3 hours lecture. (008145)
RELS 302 Muhammad and the Qur'an   3.0 INQ  
This course is also offered as MEST 302.
This course introduces students to the sacred scripture and prophet of Islam. Students study the biography of Muhammad (570-632) and the text of the Qur'an by situating it within the context of Muhammad's life and career. By the end of the course, students are able to appreicate how devout Muslims view Muhammad and the Qur'an, as well as ask critical questions raised by modern scholars of religion. 3 hours lecture. (020263)
RELS 307 New Testament   3.0 INQ  
This course covers the books of the Christian New Testament in the context of ancient Judaism and the world of the ancient Mediterranean. Who wrote the gospels and the epistles? Is there anti-Jewish prejudice in the New Testament? This class explores how Jesus was depicted, inquires whether the new Testament promotes or opposes Gnosticism, explains why the Christian apocrypha are not accepted as scripture, and also considers the relationship between the early Christian movement and ancient Greek mystery religions, the Dead Sea Scroll sect, Hellenistic Judaism, and/or Enoch traditions. 3 hours seminar. (008141)

OR (the following course may be substituted for the above with department permission)

Any course listed above which has not been used to meet other requirements in the minor; or any other course with significant Jewish Studies content as determined by the advisor.

Catalog Cycle:13