JHIS 1401: Modern Jewish History

Abstract

¶Modern Jewish history – what is it? When does it begin? Why is it important? While for other eras of Jewish history, these questions seem self-explanatory, in the case of the modern period they have sparked no small amount of debate. In this course, we will begin to unpack these questions. As we do, we will learn to appreciate the unique facets of the Jewish experience in recent centuries leading up to our own. We will strive to understand together the various ways in which Jews have understood themselves and been understood by the populations among whom they dwelt. We will explore how Jews in different parts of the modern world reflected their own identity and their relationship with others through culture, politics and religious expression. Perhaps most importantly, together we will gain insight into the large arc and many of the unique details of the modern Jewish experience. ¶The basic format of this course is interactive lecturing. While I will use our class time together to introduce and explore the topics under our investigation, I will also expect you to be involved and engaged fellow explorers in the ideas we study. Your participation in the form of questions and observations in class are not just welcomed but encouraged (even expected!). This course is YOUR course – your chance to not only engage in those areas of modern Jewish history that I, as your instructor, provide as a framework for our progress, but also bring in your own and add to the texture of our work together.