courses - academic year 2005-2006

Fall Quarter 2005

English 395-001
Holocaust Testimonies
TTh 9:30 - 10:50 am
Auxiliary Associate Professor Emilie Passow

Our knowledge of the past comes from many sources including historical records, interpretations of and responses to past events and records, and personal as well as fictional narratives about the events. Among these, testimonies can give us extraordinary insight into the experience of destruction and survival. Such accounts become critical in our on-going attempts to probe a catastrophe as perplexing and horrifying as the Holocaust. How, then, can we imagine what it was like to live through the Holocaust? In an attempt to do so, this course will focus on four-five narratives describing some of the most prominent aspects of these times: dislocation and deportation; hiding from the Nazis; life and death in the ghetto or the concentration camps; and reconstructing life in America. Authors will include Elie Wiesel, Anne Frank, and Abba Kovner among others. Course requirements consist of brief essays about the readings.

Winter Quarter 2006

English 350-001
Jewish Literature and Civilization
TTh 9:30 - 10:50 am
Auxiliary Associate Professor Emilie Passow

The course will explore the origins of the Jewish people and their religion, core narratives and beliefs that have become the foundations of Jewish civilization and religion. The course will introduce the first five books of the Torah, the Jewish Bible, and analyze its influence. In addition, the major events of the Jewish lifecycle and calendar will be examined.
Anthropology 120-005
Biblical Archeology
MWF 11:00 - 11:50 am
Dr. Iman Roushdy-Hammady

This course explores the archaeology of Israel from its prehistory to the Destruction of the First Temple. The course will provide information on the land, its people and when possible examine connections between actual sites and figures and their Biblical references.

Spring Quarter 2006

History 298-002
History of the Jewish Community
Thursday 6:00 pm - 8:50 pm
Auxiliary Associate Professor Emilie Passow

An introductory survey of the history of the Jewish people, their civilization, religion, and contacts with other cultures in medieval times. Topics will include the rise of Christianity and Islam, the Talmud, Jewish mysticism, and the growth of Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewry.
History 298-003
Jewish Cultural Tapestry
TTh 11:00 am – 12:20 pm
Professor Rakhmiel Peltz


Our focus is the history and geography of different Jewish groups throughout the world. The course seeks to understand the factors that bring about diversity of cultural expression during the historical evolution of a people in different societies. We will explore the ways that Jews in various world communities have found meaning in life through customs, religion, and a world view that they may share with other Jews at the same time that their cultural expression may be unique. This is a lively course that will peruse music, dress, language, foodways, and religious practices. Students will meet with representatives of a variety of Jewish communities and folk traditions.


Academic Year 2006-2007
Academic Year 2005-2006
Academic Year 2004-2005
Academic Year 2003-2004
Academic Year 2002-2003
Academic Year 2001-2002
Academic Year 2000-2001
Academic Year 1999-2000


The Judaic Studies Program of Drexel University
331 Hagerty Library • Drexel University • 33rd and Market Streets • Philadelphia, PA 19104
TEL 215.895.6388 • FAX 215.895.0229
judaicstudies@drexel.edu •  www.drexel.edu/judaicstudies