Jewish Studies (JWST)

The Hebrew Bible/Old Testament introduces the foundational stories and traditions for Judaism, Christianity, and arguably, also Islam. This course is a predominantly history-based survey and introduction to the literature of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (in English) where students will encounter not only memorable stories, but provocative prophets, beautiful poetry, stirring stories, and ancient wisdom.

University Core fulfilled: Foundations: Theological Inquiry.

This is a one-semester "crash course" intended to enable the student to acquire the basics of Biblical Hebrew adequate to understand references in scholarly literature and to begin to read simpler Biblical texts with the use of a dictionary.

This course is an introduction to the academic study of religion and of world religions, and to the religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and other current religious trends. Special emphasis is placed upon how these religious traditions have emerged within the context of Los Angeles, how they have changed, grown, and adapted to their new surroundings.

University Core fulfilled: Foundations: Studies in American Diversity.

This course introduces students to the New Testament writings in their historical, literary, social/political, and religious contexts. Students will learn various methodological approaches to the study of the New Testament, as well as consider the history of interpretation and the role of modern social-location in the interpretive process.

University Core fulfilled: Foundations: Theological Inquiry.

This course is a history of the Jewish people from the 17th century to the present. Principal themes include the transformation of the traditional community, the changes in Jews' political status, the emergence of modern anti-Semitism, and ethnic and gender distinctions within Jewry.

University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Historical Analysis and Perspectives

This course investigates modern representations in literature and film of longing for and belonging in the land of Israel.

Juniors and seniors only.

Using film and fiction about the Jewish experience, this course examines how these interconnected disciplines explore the shaping of the modern Jewish experience. In particular, this course asks questions about the nature of transformation through the lens of culture, art, and society. What is gained and what is lost in the translation from written to visual story?

University Core fulfilled: INT: Interdisciplinary Connections

This course examines the rise of Jewish nationalism, Theodore Herzl, and the rise of political Zionism. We will discuss Zionism after Herzl, the Balfour Declaration, the seeds of Arab-Jewish confrontation, Palestine in World War II, postwar Palestine, the war of independence, and the growth of the Israeli republic. Other topics include Israel's search for peace and security, economic and social growth, the Six-Day War, the Yom Kippur War, the Likud era, peace with Egypt, and Israel's involvement in Lebanon, Gaza, and its relationship with Iran. Israeli society is quite heterogeneous, and the many peoples of Israel will be examined from the perspective of nationality and ethnicity as well as from the perspective of religion, gender, and economic status.

Students will investigate the beginning of the modern chapter of Jewish history in the granting of full citizenship to the Jews in France as a result of the Revolution of 1789, through to its contemporary political success in the 1948 creation of the state of Israel.

University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Historical Analysis and Perspectives.

This course introduces students to classic stories in the modern Jewish literary canon through close reading, reflection, discussion, interpretation, evaluation, comparison, and analysis, providing students with a conceptual framework for understanding and deriving aesthetic pleasure and cultural understanding from these vivid stories. Students will gain exposure to translated fictional works originally written in Hebrew, Yiddish, German, Russian and English by prominent Jewish authors. Through their study, students will learn how the breakdown of pre-modern Jewish society, immigration, the challenges of Jewish integration and exclusion, and the establishment of new Jewish communities, influenced the creation of this.

This course explores the varieties of traditional and contemporary Jewish expression, including Hasidic, Orthodox, Reform, and ""just Jewish."" The course features guest presenters, field experiences, film, and other media resources.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Faith and Reason; Flag: Engaged Learning.

This course will explore central aspects of Judaism from ancient to modern times (up to the beginning of the 20th century). It will focus on select texts and works of art, which mark significant moments in Jewish thought and practice. By examining Jewish text and art, students will learn how Judaism developed through negotiations with the traditions of the past as well as with the changing conditions of the present.

Juniors and seniors only.
University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Historical Analysis and Perspectives.

Examination of the ways that Jewish people, their culture, and faith have been represented and have represented themselves in film and TV. Screenings, lecture, discussion.

Junior standing required.
Lab fee required.

This course is held on-site in Israel. It examines the concept of hospitality through encounters with diverse communities and people.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections; Flag: Engaged Learning.

This class examines the ways in which the disciplines of film and literature shape American consciousness about the European catastrophe of the Holocaust. Key to these interpretations is the role of culture, art, and society.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections.

A study of the literature of the Holocaust including fiction, poetry, drama, and film.

Juniors and seniors only.

Using case studies, such as the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and the Rwandan genocide, this class examines how historians and psychologists explain the phenomenon of genocide in the modern world.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections; Flag: Writing.

This course is held on-site in Poland, and may include travel to Germany, the Czech Republic, or other locations. It may be taken more than once provided the content is considerably different each time. The focus is on the long history of Jewish life in Europe while considering as the impact of the Holocaust on the European landscape.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Faith and Reason; Flag: Engaged Learning.

This course engages students in a critical consideration of the moral, religious, and theological implications of the Nazi regime. Through study of historical and theological texts, it explores the behavior and teachings of the Christian churches, their leaders, and lay adherents, as well as Jewish responses to the challenges posed by the Nazi regime.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Faith and Reason.

This course focuses on relations between Jews and non-Jews from antiquity to the present, emphasizing the intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic roots of Jew-hatred.

University Core fulfilled: Explorations: Historical Analysis and Perspectives.

This seminar focuses on interreligious engagement and experience, exploring the diversity of faith traditions at LMU, in Los Angeles, and throughout the nation and world, by deliberate encounters with the Other. It will challenge students to reflect on fundamental questions of faith and identify within communities. It will examine the theory and practice of interreligious engagement, including: Bilateral (e.g., Catholic-Jewish) and trilateral (e.g., Christian-Jewish-Muslim) seminars and conferences of scholars and clergy; Multi-faith religious celebrations and worship services; Joint social action and social justice programs; Conflict resolution projects; Coalitions based on shared values. The readings, discussions, and site visits will provide theoretical and theological foundations for consideration of pluralism and other inclusive approaches to our interreligious context. Readings and class discussions will educate students about the beliefs, practices, and communities of diverse religious groups. Students will develop leadership strategies to establish, sustain, and advance interreligious engagements.

University Core fulfilled: Flags: Faith and Reason, Engaged Learning.

This interdisciplinary course explores how images of Jewishness were invented and contested in English literary, historical, and theological writings, visual art, and material culture from the Middle Ages.

This class will explore external and internal pressures on Jewish communities, the teachings of their leaders, and Jewish responses to the challenges posed by exile and by modernity to Jewish traditions, values, and theological positions. Questions of ultimate concern include: under what conditions is religious reform permissible, how does one balance religious tradition and belief with the demands of secular authorities, how does one believe in a benevolent God after Auschwitz?

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Faith and Reason.

Topics in Literature and Language.

Upper division major requirement:
Electives Repeatable for credit with different subtitles up to 4 times.

This senior-level internship course is restricted to Jewish Studies minors. Students may choose a major service or research project in lieu of an internship. All students work closely with the Jewish Studies Program director.

This course is held on-site in country. It examines the culture and faith traditions of Jewish communities outside the U.S.

University Core fulfilled: Integrations: Interdisciplinary Connections; Flag: Engaged Learning.