courses - academic year 2011-2012

Fall Quarter 2011

JUDA 202-001 - HIST 253-001
Jewish Life & Culture in the Middle Ages
Tues Thurs 9:30 to 10:50 am
Dr. Emilie Passow


This is a special opportunity at Drexel to explore the pivotal Medieval period in history. This course is 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.  
 
 
JUDA 203-001 - HIST 249-001
Modern Jewish History
Tues Thurs 3:30 to 4:50 pm
Dr. Rakhmiel Peltz


This course is an exploration of the social, cultural, political and religious forces that have shaped Jewry the world over from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Topics will include emancipation and enlightenment, modern religious movements, socialism, Hebrew and Yiddish literature, the Holocaust, Zionism and the state of Israel.
HEBR 101-001
Introductory Hebrew I
MW 6:30 to 7:50 pm
Ms. Ilana Margolis


LANG 180-002
Introduction to Yiddish Language & Culture
Tues Thurs 5:00 to 5:50 pm
Dr. Rakhmiel Peltz



Winter Quarter 2012

ENGL 325-002
Israeli Literature & Culture
MWF 1:00 to 1:50 pm
Dr. Emilie Passow

The homeland of the Jewish people and focus of its Diaspora for over 3,000 years, Israel today is a vibrant interweaving of the ancient and the modern (and post-modern), the native and the newly absorbed, the religious and the secular, of avant-garde art and cutting edge science and technology. In this course we will explore how examples of Israeli literature, film and other forms of narrative both reflect and probe the power and the challenges of such diversity in a society simultaneously coping with constant military, socio-political, cultural, and religious pressures. Recommended for students in the humanities, social sciences and the arts, as well as those in science and technology. Of special interest to those considering Co-op or study abroad programs in Israel.
 
 
HIST 298-003
Reconstructing History After Genocide
Tues Thurs 9:30 to 10:50 am
Dr. Rakhmiel Peltz


The framework for this course is the concept of educational restitution to peoples who are victims of genocide. After a discussion of concepts relating to the world’s responsibility to maintain its cultures and to provide help to victims of genocide and mass violence in recovering their history, the class will compare educational efforts at documenting life before the destruction in locations such as Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia, as well as among Native American groups. The class will then focus on the politics of teaching Jews about the largest community of Jews in the world up until World War II that was destroyed by the Nazis, the Polish Jewry. Using film, book-length studies, literature, and survivor testimony, students will evaluate sources that describe the life that was destroyed in one case study city, Jewish Lublin, Poland.
Anthropology 120-001
Biblical Archeology
MWF 10:00 to 10:50 am
Dr. Judith Storniolo


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.
Hebrew 101-001
Introductory Hebrew I
MW 6:30 pm to 7:50 pm
Ms. Ilana Margolis


Hebrew 102-002
Introductory Hebrew II
MW 4:30 pm to 5:50 pm
Ms. Ilana Margolis


Hebrew 103-003
Introductory Hebrew III
MW 3:00 pm to 4:20 pm
Ms. Ilana Margolis


LANG 180-001
Introduction to Yiddish Language & Culture
Tues Thurs 11:00 to 11:50 pm
Dr. Rakhmiel Peltz



Spring Quarter 2012

JUDA 201-001 - ENGL 350-001
Jewish Literature and Civilization
Tues Thurs 12:30 to 1:50 pm
Dr. 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.
 
 
ANTH 212-001
Jewish Cultural Tapestry
Tues Thurs 9:30 to 10:50 pm
Dr. 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.
 
 
ANTH 380-001
Archeology of the Eastern Mediterranean
MWF 1:00 to 1:50 pm
Dr. Robert Powell

An introduction to the archeology of the Middle East by way of case study. Jerusalem served as a religious, political, and national center, and symbol for successive communities from the Iron Age (ca. 1100 BC) through the present. Exploring Jerusalem’s architecture and material remains will illustrate the interrelation of successive populations and occupiers: Jebusites, Israelites/Jews, Romans, Christians, and Muslims. Each historical period will be brought to life with an appreciation for the monuments and material culture that express the community’s identity. No pre-requisites.
 
 
Hebrew 101-001
Introductory Hebrew I
TBA
Ms. Ilana Margolis


Hebrew 102-001
Introductory Hebrew II
TBA
Ms. Ilana Margolis


Hebrew 103-001
Introductory Hebrew III
TBA
Ms. Ilana Margolis


LANG 180
Introduction to Yiddish Language & Culture
Tues Thurs 11:00 to 11:50 pm
Dr. Rakhmiel Peltz




Academic Year 2011-2012
Academic Year 2010-2011
Academic Year 2009-2010
Academic Year 2008-2009
Academic Year 2007-2008
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