A Diverse Civilization

Jewish studies considers one of the oldest and most perduring of civilizations. Possessing an intellectual tradition that reaches back to biblical days, Jewish Studies offers students a rich and diverse array of languages, texts, communities, and forms of religious, social, and political expression. In the course of their history, Jews interacted with many cultures and became experts at adaptation and survival.

The study of Judaism and the Jewish people involves all of the disciplines of the humanities and the social sciences. At Lafayette, students may study with faculty from the departments of English, foreign languages and literatures, history, government & law, and religious studies. Students are also encouraged to study in Israel. Some students go beyond the minor and design a major in Jewish studies often including independent study work and a senior thesis.

Cocurricular events supplement work in the classroom. Jewish studies cosponsors lectures, plays, and films with other campus and off-campus groups.

Course of Study

The minor requires at least five approved courses in both the humanities and social sciences from at least three departments. Not more than two courses in Hebrew may be applied toward the minor requirements, both of which must be intermediate level. All students enrolled in the minor must take Religious Studies 213.

Courses should be chosen in consultation with the Jewish studies coordinator from the following list and from special courses offered in cooperation with the Philip and Muriel Berman Center for Jewish Studies at Lehigh University:

English 228: American-Jewish Literature
A course exploring American-Jewish literature’s roots in Eastern European and Sephardic traditions, its place in the American literary canon, and its relation to international Jewish writings. Staff

Government & Law 230: International Politics of the Middle East and Persian Gulf
The course examines topics such as the Arab-Israeli conflict, the struggle for domination in the Arab World, the role of the superpowers in the region, and the politics of oil. An analysis of international political processes in some of the Middle Eastern countries is used to examine explanations for the foreign policies of these countries. The course assesses different solutions to problems confronted by the nations of the Middle East. Mr. Peleg

Hebrew 111, 112: Intermediate Hebrew
Review and expansion of the basic grammar, vocabulary, and idioms. Development of skills of self-expression and conversation. Readings in short stories and in newspaper and magazine articles, and monitoring of television broadcasts in the language laboratory to gain a deeper understanding of Israeli culture. Staff

History 213: Ancient Israel
This course explores Israel from its remotest beginnings among desert tribes of the ancient near east and the fulfillment of its national destiny as a religious commonwealth in Canaan, to its transfiguration into an exilic people under the Romans. Emphasis is placed on cultural and religious factors that differentiated Israel from other near eastern kingdoms, especially the Temple at Jerusalem, the national religious cult, and the role of the prophets. The legacy of its religious and moral experience to Western civilization is also discussed. Mr. Marblestone

History 265: Modern Jewish History
An analysis of the broad outlines of Jewish history worldwide, from the Renaissance until the present, but concentrating on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In this seminar, extensive use is made of primary sources (i.e., documents, eyewitness accounts, memoirs) as well as films. History 105 or recent work in modern history is helpful. Mr. Weiner

History 266: American Jewish History
An analysis of the development of Jewish life in America from the colonial era to the present, with particular emphasis on the impact of the Eastern European Jewish migration, the Holocaust and the State of Israel, and suburban America. Special attention is given to the use of literary sources as tools in historical investigation. Mr. Weiner

History 373: History of the Middle East and North Africa
An analysis of the major developments in the region from the late eighteenth century to the present, with emphasis on the impact of European imperialism, the development of nationalism and independence movements, the conflict between traditional Islamic society and modernization, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the changed place of the region in world affairs. Prerequisite: Government and Law 230 or permission of instructor. Mr. Weiner

INDS 195: The History and Politics of Israel: The Peace Process and Internal Cleavages
This course focuses on the evolving peace process in the Middle East, with particular attention to Israel and the West Bank/Gaza and some attention to the Golan Heights and the relations between Israel-Jordan. Seminar meetings are supplemented by visits to historical sites, museums, and political locations. Sessions with political leaders, academic analysts, and public officials (Israelis, Jordanians, and Palestinians) add another dimension to the program. Mr. Peleg, Mr. Weiner

Religious Studies 201: Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
Introduction to the religion of ancient Israel; examination of biblical perspectives on the great questions through close reading of selected texts; appropriation and interpretation of the book as “scripture” by both Jewish and Christian communities. Mr. Cohn

Religious Studies 206: Jewish Responses to the Holocaust
Investigation of reactions to the Holocaust in the context of reactions to and explanations for catastrophe in the history of Judaism. Study of Jewish literature that addresses the problem of suffering and of Holocaust writing that challenges traditional responses. Examination of modes of Holocaust memorialization and their role in contemporary Jewish life and thought. Mr. Cohn

Religious Studies 213: Judaism
An introduction to the religion, history, and literature of the Jewish people. Among the areas covered are: the biblical heritage; the development of rabbinic Judaism; ritual and the holy life; the reactions of Judaism to modern developments such as political emancipation, the Holocaust, and the state of Israel; and contemporary Jewish problems. Mr. Cohn

Religious Studies 251: The Art of Biblical Narrative
This course explores the power of biblical tales (from the Hebrew Bible [Old Testament]) to shape the religious imagination of the West. Emphasizing close reading of selected biblical stories, the course examines the forms and themes that the authors exploited to create their distinctive artistry. Mr. Cohn

Faculty

Robert L. Cohn, Philip and Muriel Berman Professor of Jewish Studies and Coordinator of Jewish Studies minor. Ph.D., Stanford University. Special interests: biblical studies; history and literature of Judaism; Jewish-Christian relations; comparative religion; author, 2 Kings; The Shape of Sacred Space: Four Biblical Studies; coeditor, The Other in Jewish Thought and History. Recipient of Jones Award for teaching and scholarship.

Howard J. Marblestone, Charles Elliot Professor of Foreign Languages and Literature, and Coordinator of the Classical Civilizations minor. Ph.D., Brandeis University. Teaching areas: Greek and Latin language and literatures, biblical Hebrew language and literature, classical literature in translation, classical mythology, ancient history of Greece, Rome, Israel. Recipient of Lindback Teaching Award and Jones Faculty Lecture Award.

Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law. Ph.D., Northwestern University. Special interests: Middle East, comparative civil and human rights, and international relations. Recipient of Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award, Jones Award for teaching and research, and Van Artsdalen Prize for scholarship. Coeditor of Negotiating Culture and Human Rights and editor of Israel Studies Bulletin.

Robert I. Weiner, Thomas Roy and Lura Forrest Jones Professor of History and Jewish Chaplain. Ph.D. Rutgers University. Special interests: modern Europe, diplomatic history, and Jewish history. Five-time recipient of the Student Government Superior Teaching award, recipient of the Marquis Distinguished Teaching Award and Daniel Golden Faculty Service Award.

Robert L. Cohn
Coordinator, Jewish Studies
(610) 330-5182
cohnr@lafayette.edu

For general information:
Office of Admissions
Lafayette College
Easton, PA 18042
(610) 330-5100
FAX (610) 330-5355
admissions@lafayette.edu