Judaic Studies at UCF

Spring 2010 Courses
Fall 2009 Courses
Spring 2009 Courses
Fall 2008 Courses
Summer 2008 Courses
Course Descriptions

Judaic Studies
Dr. Moshe Pelli, Director
TEL: 407-823-5039; 407-823-5129
FAX: 407-823-3603
Colbourn Hall 415 E-J
judaicst@ucf.edu
More Contact Info

Above image: Hamburg Miscellany [ Click here to view enlarged picture ]

Courses for Spring Semester, 2010

Download the Spring 2010 courses announcement (PDF)

Broaden your Judaic experience, take Judaic Studies courses this semester, pursue a minor or a certificate in Judaic Studies.

HBR 1121
ELEMENTARY MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II

HBR 3410
CONVERSATIONAL ISRAELI HEBREW

Conversational Israeli Hebrew will use current Israeli newspaper articles in order to acquaint the students with contemporary Israeli idiom and practical usage. Radio and television news broadcasts from Israel will be used, as well as tapes, and internet material. First year Hebrew or its equivalent is prerequisite.

JST 3125
THE BOOK OF JOB

This course is a study of the Book of Job in translation. It will focus on biblical and post-biblical views of evil, human suffering, divine justice, and religious devotion. The course explores the Book of Job as literature, ethics, and the theology of human protest, faith, and recovery, in face of adversity. How do we reconcile the predominance of evil with the traditional faith in an omnipotent and benevolent God? How do we explain and deal with human suffering -- our own and others?

JST 3126
ROMANTIC LOVE IN THE BIBLE

This course will deal with the dimensions of romantic love in biblical narrative. The course focuses on biblical depiction of human feelings of romantic love and relationships, and will examine social norms and historical events which shed light on the role and nature of man-woman interactions in ancient Israel.

JST 3402
THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE II

Students will learn of life and history of the Jews in the medieval and modern worlds, including topics such as the Jewish-Christian relations; development of Jewish philosophy and mysticism; Jewish life in Eastern Europe and in the Arab countries; the Holocaust; Modern Israel; and Jews and Judaism in North America (JST 3401 is not a required prerequisite for this course).

JST 3415
AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

A survey study of the 350 years of Jewish presence in America, its influence and contribution on American life and culture. Topics to be discussed: America's birth based on Jewish principles; support for America's revolution; immigration; acculturation; encountering anti-Semitism; interfacing religious dynamics with modern America; contributions in politics, economy, science and medicine; heroes of American Jewish life.

JST 3481
20th CENTURY JEWISH HISTORY AND THOUGHT

A study of major Jewish philosophers such as Buber, Rosenzweig, Kaplan, Heschel, Borowitz, Solovechik within the historical context of European immigration to the U.S.

Mon | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credits | (code: 21052) | HPA 106 | Instructor: R. Sherwin

JST 3751
LITERATURE OF THE HOLOCAUST

This course is a study of the traumatic experience of the Holocaust in Europe as expressed and depicted in contemporary Jewish and Hebrew literature (in translation). Authors to be studied include: Elie Wiesel, Aharon Appelfeld, Primo Levi, Ka-Tzetnik, H. Bartov, H. Gouri, Y. Amichai, and J. Kosinski.

Courses for Fall Semester, 2009

Download the Fall 2009 courses announcement (PDF)

HBR 1120
ELEMENTARY MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE AND CULTURE I

Elementary Modern Hebrew for the first semester is designed to teach major language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, and to introduce the student to Israeli culture and Jewish civilization. No prior knowledge of Hebrew or Hebrew alphabet is required. The course is open to students and members of the community who have had no background in Hebrew.

HBR 2200
INTERMEDIATE MODERN HEBREW I

Intermediate Modern Hebrew I is designed to continue the study of modern Hebrew; increase proficiency in conversation, reading and writing skills, and further expose students to Israeli culture. Elementary Modern Hebrew II or equivalent is prerequisite.

JST 3121
CLASSIC TEXTS OF JUDAISM

The course objective is to introduce the classical writings of Judaism, particularly the documents that took shape in the formative age of that civilization, from the first through the seventh centuries of the Common Era. The classic texts of Judaism: the Hebrew Scriptures, the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash, are introduced. This is carried out through a close reading, in English, of selected passages, with systematic attention to the rhetorical, logical, and topical aspects of Judaism as related to the written and oral laws. An overview of these basic texts of Judaism and their development and interpretation in the Middle Ages and modern times will be discussed and analyzed. The course will explore how these books form the tenets of the Jewish religion.

| Mon | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credits | (code: 91495) | CL1 117 | Instructor: R. Sherwin

JST 3144
DEAD SEA SCROLLS

This course will provide a broad overview of the manuscript finds in the Judean desert, particularly from the caves in the vicinity known as Khirbet Qumran, from 1947 to the present. This course will examine the literary and historical context of these manuscripts and fragments, which comprise a veritable "library" of ancient texts. The course will also consider the relevance of the Dead Sea Scrolls, within a broad socio-religious framework, dealing with such topics as comparative religion and the "roots" of rabbinic Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Finally, the course will highlight more recent controversies and debates over the publication and interpretation of the scrolls.

JST 3401
THE JEWISH PEOPLE I

A historical, cultural and religious survey of the Jewish people from its inception in the biblical era through the Greco-Roman and Rabbinic periods. The course will examine such topics as the literature of the Bible, biblical law, prophecy and ethics, Babylonian exile, post-biblical Judaism, second Commonwealth Judaism, the Oral and Written Law, the Mishnah and the Talmud.

| Tue | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credits | (code: 80909) | CL1 309 | Instructor: K. Hanson

JST 3550
INTRO OF MODERNISM INTO JUDAISM

The transition from traditional Judaism to modern Judaism in the 18th century, as epitomized by Moses Mendelssohn and writers of the Jewish Enlightenment (in translation). The course will examine views of major Hebrew and Jewish Enlightenment figures and the manifestations of modernism in their writings. Attention will be given to new trends in modern Judaism such as secularism, religious reform, the formation of various branches of Judaism, and the advent of Jewish nationalism.

JST 3701
HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST

This course is a comprehensive study of the Holocaust with an emphasis on the historical roots of anti-Semitism. In addition to the antecedents of the Holocaust, the social, economic, and political unrest which marked post World War I Germany is examined. This study divides the Holocaust years, 1933-1945, into two distinct periods: the first, 1933-1939, encompasses the persecution of German Jews within the context of the prevailing German legal system, and the second, 1939-1945, marks the systematic annihilation of Jews in Europe. The scope and the meaning of this event in human history is discussed and analyzed.

JST 3930
ST: OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN JEWISH HISTORY

This course will examine the historical and cultural role of women in Judaism from the Biblical age to the present. Through texts and films, this course will assess women in Jewish life and civilization. ENC 1102 is a prerequisite.

| Thu | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credits | (code: 91496) | VAB 113 | Instructor: J. Berger

Courses for Summer A Session, 2009

Download the Summer A 2009 courses announcement (PDF)

Broaden your Judaic experience, take Judaic Studies courses this semester, pursue a minor or a certificate in Judaic Studies.

JST 3120
INTRODUCTION TO HEBREW SCRIPTURES

The aim of the course is to read and understand significant sections of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), in translation in historical, social, religious, cultural, and literary contexts. This course will be a scholarly (i.e., non-parochial) approach to the most important book of western civilization, which will take into account the latest biblical and archaeological research. Certain biblical books, selected for their topic, genre, or style, will be read, analyzed, and discussed. Topics to be covered include: the nature of biblical prophecy, ethics in the Bible, wisdom literature, and the concept of God in the Bible.

Courses for Spring Semester, 2009

Download the spring 2009 courses announcement (PDF)

Broaden your Judaic experience, take Judaic Studies courses this semester, pursue a minor or a certificate in Judaic Studies.

HBR 1121
ELEMENTARY MODERN HEBREW LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II

HBR 3410 (code: 11164)
CONVERSATIONAL ISRAELI HEBREW

Conversational Israeli Hebrew will use current Israeli newspaper articles in order to acquaint the students with contemporary Israeli idiom and practical usage. Radio news broadcasting from Israel will be used, as well as tapes. First year Hebrew or its equivalent is prerequisite.

Tue & Thu | 10:30-11:45 | 3-credit course | CL1 218 | Instructor: I. Bar

JST 3005 (code: 11165)
TENETS OF JUDAISM

This course is a study of the basic tenets of Judaism as they have evolved from ancient times to the modern era, including the values, practices and beliefs that define Judaism as a religious civilization. The course of study will involve a mutli-level approach using both primary and secondary sources.

Mon | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credit course | COMM 112 | Instructor: R. Sherwin

JST 3190 (code: 21858)
BIBLICAL PROPHETS

A study of the biblical prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel in their writing against the backdrop of their times. Biblical poetic devices, such as parallelism, as well as social and ethical issues and criticism, to be discussed.

Tue & Thu | 12:00-13:15 | 3-credit course | CL1 103 | Instructor: K. Hanson

JST 3210 (code: 21721)
KABBALAH: JEWISH MYSTICISM

This course will trace and evaluate the development of Jewish mysticism from its earliest roots in the prophetic age of Israelite history, through the flowing of the movement called "Kabbalah" in medieval Spain and the Land of Israel, down to various expressions of mystical thought in the pietistic movement known as Hasidism.

Tue & Thu | 9:00-10:15 | 3-credit course | CL1 103 | Instructor: K. Hanson

JST 3402 (code: 10005)
THE HISTORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE II

Tue | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credit course | CL1 105 | Instructor: K. Hanson

JST 3450 (code: 20083)
MODERN JEWISH EXPERIENCE

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with a variety of modern Jewish experiences as depicted in literature. This course will involve a survey of the pre-modern traditional life in Eastern Europe, including life in the Ghetto and the Shtetle (small Jewish town) life. This course will also deal with the emergence of the Jews into modernity along with the rise of Jewish national movement in the end of the 19th century; the growth of the Zionist movement, immigration to America and to pre-state Israel (Palestine), the pioneers, establishing the State of Israel, war and peace, in-gathering of the exiles, the Holocaust, and the current peace trends in the Middle East.

Thu | 18:00-20:50 | 3-credit course | ENG2 302 | Instructor: J. Berger

JST 3751 (code: 11023)
LITERATURE OF THE HOLOCAUST

TThis course is a study of the traumatic experience of the Holocaust in Europe as expressed and depicted in contemporary Jewish and Hebrew literature (in translation). Authors to be studied include: Elie Wiesel, Aharon Appelfeld, Primo Levi, Ka-Tzetnik, H. Bartov, H. Gouri, Y. Amichai, and J. Kosinski.

Tue & Thu | 10:30-11:45 | 3-credit course | COM 113 | Instructor: M. Pelli

Judaic Studies courses as a Minor or Electives: Students may take the courses as electives or as required courses to satisfy requirements for a Minor in Judaic Studies (18 credits of upper division courses).
Judaic Studies Certificate: Certificate in Judaic Studies is available for students completing 5 courses in Judaic Studies.
Foreign Language Requirements: Hebrew language courses may satisfy foreign language requirements.
Liberal Studies - Minor in Judaic Studies: Liberal Studies students are encouraged to take a Minor in Judaic Studies.
Religious Studies Minor, Humanities Minor, or Middle East Studies Minor: Students who take a Minor in Religious Studies, Humanities, or Middle East Studies are encouraged to take courses in Judaic Studies. Most of our courses may be counted toward their Minors.
Registration for Non-Degree Students: Members of the community may take the courses as non-degree students or may audit the courses. Registration is required of non-degree students; call the Registrar's office at (407) 823-3100 for details.
Tuition Fee Waiver for Senior Citizens: Persons 60 years of age or older who meet Florida residency requirements may register for classes without payment. Senior citizens should call Veronica Ingram at 407-823-3531 (vingram@mail.ucf.edu) to obtain registration forms in advance.

Registration for degree students: October 27, 2008 - January 6, 2009. Registration for non-degree students: January 6, 2009. Non-degree students are kindly requested to call the Judaic Studies Program office on or after January 7, 2009, to be listed for registration. Classes begin January 8, 2009.

For more information, please call Dr. Moshe Pelli, Director, Judaic Studies Program at (407) 823-5039, (407) 823-5129, or (407) 823-2296.