Winter 2004
Jewish Magic and Mysticism in Modernity Introduction to ritual, language, and ideas in the history of Jewish magical practices and texts from 1600. Topics include "practical kabbalah," exorcism and possession, amulets, magical aspects of Hasidism, magical books, the Golem, Dybbuks, and the relationship of Jewish mysticism to Islam, Sufism, and Middle Eastern mystical fellowships. The Holocaust through Film The Holocaust, the genocide of Jews, Gypsies, and other groups, by the Nazis and their
accomplices, has been portrayed in thousands of films from many countries and
in many styles. Examining historical events through films and film clips, the course focuses on questions of representation and its limits and the politics of various films and their public reception and use. American Fiction Traces the development of the modern experience in American literature through a comparison of early twentieth-century Jewish and Black writing. Readings include Abraham Cahan, Nella Larsen, Henry Roth, and Richard Wright. Literature
of Genocide/Holocaust Representations, testimonies, and analyses of Holocaust and genocide in the past century through fiction, poetry, essays, and film. The Bible as Literature Study of types of literature in Old and New Testaments with emphasis on how Biblical expression reflects the cultural and historical experiences of Jews and Christians. Contemporary German Culture Surveys post-WWII transformation of Germany, including the partition and the fate of Jews after the Holocaust seen in W.G. Sebalds Austerlitz 1st Year Modern Hebrew Term II Second in a three-course sequence for study of grammar and syntax, intermediate literary texts, writing, and speaking. Prerequisite: Hebrew 101 or equivalent. Religious Fundamentalism A comparative survey of fundamentalist movements in Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism with attention to the social, cultural, and political environments that shape and are impacted by them. Middle East Studies Interdisciplinary survey of contemporary Middle Eastern societies from the perspectives of anthropology, geography, history, and politics. International Relations of the Middle East Relations of great powers and Middle East states after 1945 with emphasis on patterns in the post-Cold War, post-Gulf War era. Recommended prerequisite: PS 361. Hate Crimes Examination of attitudes and acts targeted on the basis of race, religion, gender, including racism and anti-semitism Registration and fee information for credit or noncredit enrollment in PSU courses is available at 503-725-4832. Full course descriptions are available directly from the instructor. |