Jewish Studies

Minor

Due to University Updates, Course Numbers for all Departments have Changed. Please reference the Courses Tab for new Course Numbers.

Requirements for the Minor (20 Credits)

Students must complete at least 20 credits in intermediate- and upper-level courses, including at least two core courses (that must include either JWST 12 or 13) and two courses that are Judaically focused. In addition to these requirements, at least one semester of language study of either Hebrew or Yiddish is strongly encouraged. Although Yiddish language instruction is not currently available at Drew, students may receive credit toward the Jewish Studies minor for Yiddish courses taken at another accredited institution.

I. Core Courses (8-12 credits)

• JWST 12/The Jewish Experience: An Introduction to Judaism (4)
• OR JWST 13/Jewish History from Roman Times to the Enlightenment (4)
• JWST 30/Selected Topics in Jewish Studies (4)
• JWST 112/Seminar in Jewish Studies (4)
• MHEB 20/Elementary Modern Hebrew II (4)
• MHEB 30/Intermediate Modern Hebrew (4)

II. Judaically Focused Courses (8-12 credits)

See departments or programs for course descriptions.

• BHEBW 1/Biblical Hebrew (4)
• BHEBW 20/Hebrew Exegesis (4)
• JWST 33/Perspectives on the Holocaust (4)
• REL 13/Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (4)
• REL 41/Sects and Cults in Modern Judaism (4)
• REL 45/Issues in Contemporary Jewish Ethics (4)
• HIST 70/Modern Jewish History (4)
• ENGL 34/Topics in American Ethnic, Immigrant or Regional Literature [when topic applies] (4)
• ENGL 140/Topics in Literature [when topic applies] (4)
• PSYC 147/Seminar in Social Issues of Psychology [when topic applies] (4)
• REL 67/Comparative Fundamentalism (4)

Students may also develop projects in Jewish Studies under INTR 50/Internship Project or INST 150/ Independent Study.

Courses

Courses Offered

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JWST 220 - Formerly 12 - The Jewish Experience: An Introduction to Judaism (4)

A survey of the basic religious doctrines, ritual practice, and philosophical schools of the Jewish religion, from biblical times to the present. The course includes analysis of Jewish theology, rational philosophy, mysticism, messianism, religious ceremonies, family life-cycle, and rites of passage, as well as universal concepts.
Offered spring semester. Same as: REL 220 - Formerly 12 -
Fulfills: BH

JWST 241 - Formerly 13 - Jewish History from Roman Times to the Enlightenment (4)

An overview of the remarkable history of the Jewish people in post-biblical times, beginning with the Roman occupation of Palestine and concluding with the impact of the Enlightenment on Jewish identity. Among the topics to be studied are: the Roman exile of the Jews, the religious traditions and national hopes that accompanied them in the diaspora, the emergence of European and Oriental Jewries, the martyrdom of Jews during the Crusades, the Jewish Golden Age in medieval Spain, the Spanish Inquisition, the European Jewish enlightenment.
Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years. Same as: HIST 241 - Formerly 13 -

JWST 224 - Formerly 30 - Selected Topics in Jewish Studies (4)

An intensive study of special topics in this field.
Course may be repeated. Offered fall semester.

JWST 233 - Formerly 33 - Perspectives on the Holocaust (4)

This course provides multiple perspectives on the Holocaust, the near extermination of European Jewry and the brutal persecution of an extended mosaic of victims. As a watershed event, the Holocaust has radically affected our conceptions of human nature, the dimensions of evil, the existence of God, the power of bearing literary witness, the moral and political outlook for the future. Readings span the disciplines of history, psychology, literature, theology, and political science, each providing its own distinctive illumination. Course requirements include exams, papers, journal entries, and a field trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.
Offered spring semester. Same as: HOST 233 - Formerly HOLST 33 -
Fulfills: BI, DIT

JWST 320 - Formerly 112 - Seminar in Jewish Studies (4)

An in-depth study of a specific religious or philosophical aspect of Judaism, with an emphasis on the critical analysis of primary sources and traditional texts.
Course may be repeated. Offered spring semester. Same as: REL 320 - Formerly 112 -
Fulfills: BH

MHEB 201 - Formerly 30 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew (4)

An advanced study in Hebrew conversation, writing, and reading.
For students with at least one full year of Modern Hebrew. Meets: Three hours class. Offering to be determined.

See appropriate departments for the following courses

ENGL 105 - Formerly 34 - Topics in American Ethnic, Immigrant, or Regional Lit. (4)

An exploration of literature of the American ethnic, immigrant, or regional experience. The course may focus on one ethnicity, such as Jewish American or Arab American; explore the immigrant experience as it is articulated in works from several ethnicities including Italian American, Irish American, Eastern European, Asian American, South Asian American, or Latino/a; or it may focus on literature produced within specific geographical regions, regional schools, or regional traditions of the United States, including Southern literature, literature of the Great Plains, the Northwest, the Southwest, California, New York City, or New Jersey.
Course may be repeated. Enrollment priority: given to English majors and minors. Offered in alternate fall semesters..
Fulfills: BH, DUS

ENGL 301 - Formerly 140 - Topics in Literature (4)

An advanced study of particular literary subjects (e.g. the literature of the Holocaust, immigrant literature), topics (Old English language and literature, myth and literature), problems (e.g., literacy and orality, modern constructions of older/ancient texts), and methodologies (e.g., psychoanalytic approaches, comparative literature.
Course may be repeated. Enrollment priority: Priority is given to English majors and minors. Prerequisite: ENGL 150 - Formerly 9 - or permission of the instructor. Offered fall semester.

HIST 258 - Formerly 70 - Modern Jewish History (4)

A study of the social and cultural experiences of Jews and Jewish communities from the Enlightenment to the present. Explores the diversity of Jewish experience in Western Europe, Russia, America, the Arab lands, and Israel, beginning with a survey of the major developments in European and American history that have shaped Jewish identities.
Offered fall semester in odd-numbered years.
Fulfills: DIT

MHEB 101 - Formerly 1 - Elementary Modern Hebrew I (4)

A study of the basic structures and vocabulary of modern, everyday Hebrew through exercises in reading, speaking, and writing.
Meets: Three hours class. Offered annually.

MHEB 102 - Formerly 20 - Elementary Modern Hebrew II (4)

A study of the basic structures and vocabulary of modern, everyday Hebrew through exercises in reading, speaking, and writing.
Meets: Three hours class Offered annually.

PSYC 367 - Formerly 147 - Seminar in Social Issues of Psychology (2-4)

Psychology has an almost 60-year history of involvement with social issues and social reform. This seminar focuses on psychological research on specific social issues as well as psychology's role in developing social policy and social intervention related to that issue. Possible issues include poverty and homelessness; prejudice, racism, and genocide; and war and peace. The specific social issue to be studied is announced prior to registration.
Course may be repeated. Signature of instructor required for registration. Prerequisite: PSYC 101 - Formerly 3 - Offering to be determined

REL 222 - Formerly 13 - Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (4)

A study of religious developments in ancient Israel in their historical contexts. Emphasizes the understandings of Israel as covenant people of God, the relation of religious understandings to historical and social circumstances, the role of prophecy, and the religious restoration following the exile.
Offered fall semester.

REL 294 - Formerly 67 - Comparative Fundamentalism (4)

An examination of the rise of religious fundamentalism in comparative perspective. Topics to be covered include the historical development of fundamentalism, the nature and organization of contemporary fundamentalism, the relationship between fundamentalism and the family, state, and education, and the significance of fundamentalism in domestic and international politics. Specific attention is given to case studies of the history and religious culture of fundamentalism in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and comparisons between Western and Eastern religions, traditions will be made. The perspective of the course is sociological and theological, but the ethical and political issues and dilemmas raised by these groups will also be considered.
Offered fall semester. Same as: SOC 294 - Formerly 67 -