Winter 2004 Judaic Studies offerings

Jewish Magic and Mysticism in Modernity
History 410/510
Wednesdays 5:30 - 9:10 pm
Syllabus (pdf)
PCAT 28
Jonathan Seidel

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.
Jonathan Seidel edited Magic and Divination in the Ancient World and has taught the course at UO.

The Holocaust through Film
HIST 497U/597 Film and History:
Tuesday/Thursday 2:00 - 3:50
Lincoln 249
Alon Raab

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.
Alon Raab is film critic for the Portland Alliance and has taught the course at UO.

American Fiction
ENG 365U
TR 11:35-12:30
Lincoln Hall 249
Lee Medovoi
CRN 45123

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
ENG 308 MWF 12:45 -1:50
Neuberger 241
Greg Goekjian
CRN 44798

Representations, testimonies, and analyses of Holocaust and genocide in the past century through fiction, poetry, essays, and film.

The Bible as Literature
ENG 318 MWF 9-10:05
Cramer 449
Deanne Westbrook
CRN 44150

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
German 441 MWF 2 - 3:05
Neuberger 391
Timm Menke
CRN 45862

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
HEBREW 102 Tuesday/Thursday 4:40 - 6:40
Science Bldg 2 Room 139B
Ema Horowitz
CRN 44378

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
Humanities 399 Tuesday/Thursday 2-3:30

Science Building 2 Room 166
Masoud Kheirabadi
CRN 41488

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
International Studies 247A Tuesday/Thursday 5 - 6:15
Cramer Hall 225
S Steinmann
CRN 41466

Interdisciplinary survey of contemporary Middle Eastern societies from the perspectives of anthropology, geography, history, and politics.

International Relations of the Middle East
Politics 462/562 Tuesday 6-9:40 pm
CH 258
John Damis
CRN 44950

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
Sociology 430/530 MWF 12:45-13:50
NH 222
Randy Blazak
CRN 44571

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.