Jewish Studies Program

Professor Kassow∙∙, Director (fall); Professor Kiener, Acting director (spring)

Jewish studies is a multi-disciplinary, College-wide investigation of Jewish civilization in its many historical and geographical manifestations. The scope of the Jewish studies curriculum covers Jewish civilization from its ancient Near Eastern origins through the contemporary history and culture in Israel and the Diaspora communities around the world. It is a secular, academic program with diverse, cross-cultural emphases. For more details on the program’s faculty, requirements and sources, visit our Web site at www.trincoll.edu/Academics/MajorsAndMinors/Jewish/.

Participating faculty and staff

• Jonathan Elukin, Associate Professor of History∙∙
• Samuel Kassow, Charles H. Northam Professor of History∙∙
• Ariela Keysar, Associate Director, Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture and Associate Research Professor
• Ronald Kiener, Professor of Religion
• Robert Kirschbaum, Professor of Fine Arts
• Barry Kosmin, Director, Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture and Research Professor, Public Policy and Law Program
• Michal Ayalon, Lecturer in Language and Culture Studies
• Martha Risser, Associate Professor of Classics
• Seth Sanders, Assistant Professor of Religion
• Mark Silk, Director, Leonard E. Greenberg, Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life and Professor of Religion in Public Life

Majors are required to complete, with grades of C- or better, 12 course credits in the Jewish Studies Program. Majors are strongly encouraged to pursue foreign study, normally through either the Hebrew University in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv University.

The award of honors in Jewish studies will be based on excellence in the senior independent project or thesis and a grade point average of A- or better in the courses for the major.

Requirements for the major

• Core courses (four courses)
  • RELG 109. The Jewish Tradition
  • RELG 211. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
  • HIST 336. Modern Jewish History
  • HIST 384. Christians and Jews in Medieval Europe or HIST 119. Diaspora: Jewish History Before Modernity
• Language (four courses)—All participants in Jewish studies must satisfactorily arrive at the intermediate level of Hebrew language acquisition (Biblical or modern), or pass an examination demonstrating that level of competence. Language study beyond the intermediate level can be counted as elective work.
• Electives (four courses)—Participants in the major may choose from any of the elective courses listed below. Students may petition the director to have elective study outside of this approved list counted. A one-credit internship may be counted as an elective.
• Senior thesis—In their senior year, majors will complete JWST 497, a one-semester, one-credit senior thesis research tutorial under the primary supervision of a participating faculty member of the Jewish Studies Program. This thesis should be initially planned in consultation with the director. In exceptional circumstances, the director can be petitioned to allow a year-long, two-credit thesis. The course meets the Writing Intensive Part II requirement.

Fall Term

466. Teaching Assistant— Submission of the special registration form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor and director are required for enrollment. (0.5-1 course credit) -Staff

497. Senior Thesis— Submission of the special registration form, available in the Registrar’s Office, and the approval of the instructor and director are required for enrollment in this single-semester thesis. -Staff

Courses Originating in Other Departments

Hebrew 101. Elementary Modern Hebrew I— View course description in department listing on p. 634. -Ayalon

Hebrew 201. Intermediate Modern Hebrew I— View course description in department listing on p. 634. Prerequisite: Hebrew 102 or equivalent. -Ayalon

Hebrew 301. Advanced Modern Hebrew I— View course description in department listing on p. 634. Prerequisite: Hebrew 202 or equivalent. -Ayalon

[Religion 103. Biblical Hebrew Language and Culture I]— View course description in department listing on p. 795.

Religion 109. Jewish Tradition— View course description in department listing on p. 795. -Kiener

[Religion 209. Religions in the Contemporary Middle East]— View course description in department listing on p. 795.

Religion 211. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible— View course description in department listing on p. 795. -Sanders

Religion 214. Jews in America— View course description in department listing on p. 796. -Kiener

[Religion 307. Jewish Philosophy]— View course description in department listing on p. 797. Prerequisite: C- or better in Religion 109.

Spring Term

[206. The Arab/Israeli Conflict]— An examination of the dynamics of the Arab/Israeli conflict, especially since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. The course will focus on the changing interests and positions of the parties involved: Israel, the Palestinians, the Arab states, and the important international players. It will also highlight contradictions within the major camps. (Enrollment limited)

222. Jewish Literature and Film— This course explores adaptation of modern Jewish literature to the motion picture. We will explore representations of Jewish life, culture, religion and history in literature and films dealing with the American experience, the Holocaust, and Israel. Mixing history and representation, we will examine how Jews and Jewish history have been represented and misrepresented in films which seek to translate literature into film. We will also explore what these changes can tell us about how Jews sought to present themselves to America, the world, and each other. We will also ask questions such as: What makes a film Jewish? What can films tell us about Jewish experience in the twentieth century and beyond? Weekly reading and film viewing are required. (Enrollment limited)-Patt

225. Modern Israeli Culture— As a dynamic young society with a multifaceted culture, modern Israel is distinguished by complex social relationships, evolving challenges and constant restlessness. With immigrants from all over the world, Israel is celebrating its extraordinary achievements while struggling with its history of constant external conflicts and intensifying divisions within its ethnic, religious and political groups. These cross currents will be examined using prose and poetry, films, plays, and currents from the internet. Additional topics will include physical features of the land, historical background, and the impact of the legal and political system on the daily lives of people. (Enrollment limited)-Keysar-Coy

Courses Originating in Other Departments

Hebrew 102. Elementary Modern Hebrew II— View course description in department listing on p. 634. Prerequisite: Hebrew 101 or equivalent. -Ayalon

Hebrew 202. Intermediate Modern Hebrew II— View course description in department listing on p. 635. Prerequisite: Hebrew 201 or equivalent. -Ayalon

Hebrew 302. Advanced Modern Hebrew II— View course description in department listing on p. 635. Prerequisite: Hebrew 301 or equivalent. -Ayalon

History 213. Modern Jewish History— View course description in department listing on p. 528. -Patt

[History 336. Modern Jewish History]— View course description in department listing on p. 534.

[Religion 104. Biblical Hebrew Language and Culture II]— View course description in department listing on p. 798. Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in Religion 103.

[Religion 214. Jews in America]— View course description in department listing on p. 799.