Jewish Studies

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Not all courses are offered every semester. Refer to the schedule of courses for each term's specific offerings.
More Info

Unless otherwise indicated in the course description, all courses at the University of Florida are taught in English, with the exception of specific foreign language courses.

Center Information

The Center for Jewish Studies promotes academic study of Jewish culture, history, and politics for all students at the University of Florida. The Center’s curriculum encourages critical thinking, textual analysis, research, oral argumentation, and writing. The Center has scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as study abroad opportunities.
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CONTACT

352.392.9247

P.O. Box 118020
1120 Turlington Hall
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-8020
Map

 Curriculum


Courses

AML 4685 Race and Ethnicity 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics examine issues, movements, forms or themes related to race and ethnicity in American literature. Topics may include Pacific Rim cultures in America, Chicano-Latino literature, the Black Arts Movement, constructing Native America, border-crossing and migration, post-war Jewish fiction, literature and the psychology of prejudice, comparative representations of racial and ethnic experience, representing whiteness, literatures of assimilation and multi-racial identities.

ANT 3241 Anthropology of Religion 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Cross-cultural survey of beliefs and practices dealing with the supernatural, magic, and religion. Conceptualization of the supernatural. Sacred specialists, their function, and social position. Theories of comparative religion in light of anthropological data. (S and D)

Attributes: General Education - Diversity, General Education - Social Science

CPO 3403 Politics of the Middle East 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Focuses on key political and social processes in the modern Middle East. Variable themes in comparative politics are addressed, such as nationalism, state formation, women and politics, religious resurgence, feminism and law. (S and N)

Prerequisite: CPO 2001.

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 4000 Selected Studies in Comparative Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in comparative politics; precise course content will be announced in advance. (S and N)

Attributes: General Education - International, General Education - Social Science

CPO 4727 Judaism and Politics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines how Jews govern themselves (often referred to as communal governance) and how Jews relate to the political system where they live. Explores the development of the Jewish political tradition in the Biblical period, the Middle Ages, the early modern period and the modern era.

Prerequisite: POS 2041.

ENG 4135 National Cinemas 4 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics study of the films of historically important national cinemas, such as American, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese.

EUH 3033 History of the Holocaust 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Origins of anti-Semitism in central Europe and the execution of the Holocaust by Nazi Germany. Examines the ideology of the Nazi leaders and the role of the SS, Army, Police, and ordinary citizens in perpetrating genocide. (H and N) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International, Satisfies 4000 Words of Writing Requirement

EUH 3670 Jewish History from 711 to 1492 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Surveys major historical developments in medieval Jewish society under Islam and western Christendom. Examines the interaction of Jews with the majority culture, political structure and economy, as well as changing cultural trends.

EUH 3671 Jewish History from 1492-1750 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Surveys major trends in Jewish society from the f15th to the 18th century, focusing on community structures and interfaith relations.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of history.

EUH 3672 Modern European Jewish History 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Major events and themes of the Jews in Europe from 1650-1945.

Prerequisite: 3 credits of history.

HBR 1130 Beginning Modern Hebrew 1 5 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Beginning Hebrew covers four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. For those with no prior exposure to the language.

HBR 1131 Beginning Modern Hebrew 2 5 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Continues beginning Hebrew, covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Prerequisite: HBR 1130 with minimum grade of C or S, or the equivalent.

HBR 2220 Intermediate Modern Hebrew 1 4 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Intermediate Hebrew study covers four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with new vocabulary and grammar.

Prerequisite: HBR 1131 with minimum grade of C or S, or the equivalent.

HBR 2221 Intermediate Modern Hebrew 2 4 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Continues intermediate Hebrew covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Prerequisite: HBR 2220 with minimum grade of C or S, or the equivalent.

HBR 3410 Advanced Modern Hebrew 1 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Advanced study of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with attention to more complex structures. (H and N)

Prerequisite: HBR 2220 or HBR 2133 with minimum grade of C or S, or the equivalent.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

HBR 3411 Advanced Modern Hebrew 2 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Continues advanced Hebrew study of the four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with attention to more complex structures. (H and N)

Prerequisite: HBR 3410 with minimum grade of C or S, or the equivalent.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

HBR 4905 Individual Work 1-5 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Individual work on an approved topic.

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

HBR 4930 Special Topics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Proseminar of variable content providing an opportunity for in-depth study of special topics in Israeli literature, history, or culture.

HBT 3223 Identity and Dissent in the Hebrew Short Story 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Traces the tension between the individual and the collective in Zionist/Israeli society over the last 100-plus years as illustrated in Hebrew short fiction.

HBT 3233 Israeli History and the Contemporary Novel 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Studies Israeli history through the lens of the contemporary novel.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

JST 2841 Women and Politics in Israel 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes women's roles both as political agents and as objects of political policies and movements. Examines Israeli female politicians and judges as political actors, and as both subjects and objects of state policy.

JST 3845 Israelis and Palestinians 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Discussion of Israeli-Palestinian interactions with a focus on the way collective identities are shaped by the conflict. Historically outlines development of the conflict from the beginning of the Zionist immigration to Palestine to present day and includes thematic analysis of its sociological dynamics.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

JST 3930 Special Topics in Jewish Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in Jewish thought, history, literature and culture as represented in classified Jewish texts, Jewish law, Jewish ethics, folklore, Hasidism and Holocaust literature. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

JST 4905 Individual Work in Jewish Studies 1-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

For advanced students who desire supplemental reading or research under guidance.

JST 4936 Colloquium in Jewish Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Colloquium in Jewish studies designed to enhance knowledge of the development and significance of Jewish civilization.

Prerequisite: REL 2600 or the equivalent and junior standing or higher and instructor permission.

JST 4940 Internship in Jewish Studies 1-6 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Preapproved internship with Jewish communal, educational, or service institutions. Only 3 credits can count toward a Jewish Studies major or minor.

Prerequisite: REL 2600 or the equivalent, junior/senior standing and instructor permission.

JST 4970 Senior Honors Thesis 1-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Directed research leading to submission of an honors thesis. Work completed under the supervision of a Jewish studies faculty member. Students can register for one semester (3 credits) or two (1 and 2 credits respectively). Required for magna or summa cum laude designation.

LIT 3173 Jewish Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in the Jewish literary experience, from the biblical narrative and classical tales to Yiddish and Hebrew literature, the modern European novel, and American Jewish fiction. (H and N)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

MUH 3621 Jewish Art Music in Western Culture 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Cultural history of western art music inspired by Jewish subjects, Biblical and non-Biblical, composed by both Jewish and non-Jewish composers, and a survey of Jewish performing musicians from the Renaissance to the present. (H and N)

Prerequisite: written instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

POS 4291 Religion and Politics in the United States 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Investigates the role of religious institutions, values and communities in contemporary American political life. (WR)

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2104 Environmental Ethics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores competing secular and religious views regarding human impacts on and moral responsibilities toward nature and of the key thinkers and social movements in contention over them. (H) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 2000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2210 Hebrew Scriptures 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

History, literature, and beliefs of the Israelites from the Biblical text in the light of modern scholarship. (H)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

REL 2388 Indigenous Religions of the Americas 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

This course introduces the student to the historical and contemporary religious beliefs and practices of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. (H)(WR). This is a core course for the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Minor.

Attributes: General Education - Diversity, General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 4000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2600 Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Multidisciplinary approach to the Jewish experience from its Biblical origins to modern times.

REL 3213 Hebrew Bible as Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Intensive introduction to the literary study of the Hebrew Bible within the context of ancient Near Eastern literature and history.

REL 3291 Gender and the Hebrew Bible 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Critical examination of the literary representation and historical realities of gender and sexuality in ancient Israel through close readings of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible.

REL 3321 Early Judaism and Christianity 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the Jewish-Christian encounter. The historical interaction between Judaism and Christianity including how each group symbolized the other, and the practical implications of the representations. (H and N) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 3938 Special Topics in Religion 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Special topics in religion. (H) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 4092 Ethics, Utopias, and Dystopias 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines relationships between ethics and utopias in literature, religious communities, and millenarian movements.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 2000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 4209 Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Jewish Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores the varieties of literature that arose within Judaism from 250 BCE to 220 CE, including selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the OT Pseudepigrapha, Philo, and Josephus. (H)

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

REL 4221 The Pentateuch 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

In-depth study of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) in light of modern biblical scholarship.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

REL 4936 Special Topics in Religious Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Advanced study for those with proper preparation of selected topics involving one or more religious traditions. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

JST 2841 Women and Politics in Israel 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Analyzes women's roles both as political agents and as objects of political policies and movements. Examines Israeli female politicians and judges as political actors, and as both subjects and objects of state policy.

JST 2930 Special Topics in Jewish Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Selected topics in the study of Jewish civilization.

JST 3821 Israeli Society 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Introduces major themes in dynamics of contemporary Israeli society. Juxtaposition of the different subjective points of view and motivations of the various actors involved.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

JST 3845 Israelis and Palestinians 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Discussion of Israeli-Palestinian interactions with a focus on the way collective identities are shaped by the conflict. Historically outlines development of the conflict from the beginning of the Zionist immigration to Palestine to present day and includes thematic analysis of its sociological dynamics.

Prerequisite: sophomore standing or higher.

JST 3930 Special Topics in Jewish Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in Jewish thought, history, literature and culture as represented in classified Jewish texts, Jewish law, Jewish ethics, folklore, Hasidism and Holocaust literature. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

JST 4905 Individual Work in Jewish Studies 1-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

For advanced students who desire supplemental reading or research under guidance.

JST 4936 Colloquium in Jewish Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Colloquium in Jewish studies designed to enhance knowledge of the development and significance of Jewish civilization.

Prerequisite: REL 2600 or the equivalent and junior standing or higher and instructor permission.

JST 4940 Internship in Jewish Studies 1-6 Credits

Grading Scheme: S/U

Preapproved internship with Jewish communal, educational, or service institutions. Only 3 credits can count toward a Jewish Studies major or minor.

Prerequisite: REL 2600 or the equivalent, junior/senior standing and instructor permission.

JST 4970 Senior Honors Thesis 1-3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Directed research leading to submission of an honors thesis. Work completed under the supervision of a Jewish studies faculty member. Students can register for one semester (3 credits) or two (1 and 2 credits respectively). Required for magna or summa cum laude designation.

LIT 3173 Jewish Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Variable topics in the Jewish literary experience, from the biblical narrative and classical tales to Yiddish and Hebrew literature, the modern European novel, and American Jewish fiction. (H and N)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

MUH 3621 Jewish Art Music in Western Culture 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Cultural history of western art music inspired by Jewish subjects, Biblical and non-Biblical, composed by both Jewish and non-Jewish composers, and a survey of Jewish performing musicians from the Renaissance to the present. (H and N)

Prerequisite: written instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International

POS 4291 Religion and Politics in the United States 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Investigates the role of religious institutions, values and communities in contemporary American political life. (WR)

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2104 Environmental Ethics 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores competing secular and religious views regarding human impacts on and moral responsibilities toward nature and of the key thinkers and social movements in contention over them. (H) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 2000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2210 Hebrew Scriptures 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

History, literature, and beliefs of the Israelites from the Biblical text in the light of modern scholarship. (H)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

REL 2388 Indigenous Religions of the Americas 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

This course introduces the student to the historical and contemporary religious beliefs and practices of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. (H)(WR). This is a core course for the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Minor.

Attributes: General Education - Diversity, General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 4000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 2600 Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Multidisciplinary approach to the Jewish experience from its Biblical origins to modern times.

REL 3213 Hebrew Bible as Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Intensive introduction to the literary study of the Hebrew Bible within the context of ancient Near Eastern literature and history.

REL 3291 Gender and the Hebrew Bible 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Critical examination of the literary representation and historical realities of gender and sexuality in ancient Israel through close readings of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible.

REL 3321 Early Judaism and Christianity 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines the Jewish-Christian encounter. The historical interaction between Judaism and Christianity including how each group symbolized the other, and the practical implications of the representations. (H and N) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, General Education - International, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 3938 Special Topics in Religion 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Special topics in religion. (H) (WR)

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 4092 Ethics, Utopias, and Dystopias 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Examines relationships between ethics and utopias in literature, religious communities, and millenarian movements.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities, Satisfies 2000 Words of Writing Requirement

REL 4209 Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Jewish Literature 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Explores the varieties of literature that arose within Judaism from 250 BCE to 220 CE, including selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the OT Pseudepigrapha, Philo, and Josephus. (H)

Prerequisite: refer to the department.

Attributes: General Education - Humanities

REL 4221 The Pentateuch 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

In-depth study of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) in light of modern biblical scholarship.

Prerequisite: instructor permission.

REL 4936 Special Topics in Religious Studies 3 Credits

Grading Scheme: Letter Grade

Advanced study for those with proper preparation of selected topics involving one or more religious traditions. (WR)

Attributes: Satisfies 6000 Words of Writing Requirement