The following courses are pre-approved for the Jewish Studies major and minor. (400- and 500-level courses listed here may be used towards the completion of the Jewish Studies graduate certificate.)
CLVL 220 - Exploring the Greek and Roman World
Exploring the Greek and Roman World
Credit: 3 hours
Focused study of topics in ancient Greek and Roman literature, art, archaeology, and culture in their Mediterranean context. May also explore reflections in later literature and art.
Same as CWL 220. May be repeated in separate terms, if topics vary.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Spring 2026 for:
- Cultural Studies - Western
- Humanities – Lit & Arts
HIST 209 - World War II, A Global History
World War II, A Global History
Credit: 3 hours
Traces the political, military, social, and economic history of the Second World War. Key themes include the collapse of the Versailles system, the Interwar crisis of democracy, the rise of totalitarian regimes, the civilian experience of war, the intersection of ideology and violence, and the onset of the Nuclear Age. By the end of this course, students will have improved their ability to analyze primary sources and develop source-based historical arguments.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Spring 2026 for:
- Cultural Studies - Western
- Humanities – Hist & Phil
HIST 269 - Jewish History since 1700
Credit: 3 hours
Explores how life was lived by Jewish women and men through the past three centuries. Will also focus on wider place of the Jews in European society, and the achievements and tragedies of the modern Jewish-non-Jewish relationship.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Spring 2026 for:
- Cultural Studies - Western
- Humanities – Hist & Phil
HIST 345 - Medieval Civilization
HIST 345 - Medieval Civilization
Credit: 3 hours
The architectural, artistic, philosophical, political, and religious components of medieval culture, thought, and patterns of behavior; includes monasticism and society and the individual.
HIST 354 - 20th Century Europe
Credit: 3 hours
Cultural history of Europe in an age of global warfare and political, social, and economic upheaval.
HIST 456 - Twentieth-Century Germany
Credit: 3 or 4 hours
Political upheavals of twentieth-century Germany; topics include the First World War's impact on German society, the war's revolutionary aftermath, the political struggles and cultural achievements of the Weimar Republic, the rise of Hitler, the Third Reich, the Holocaust, the Second World War, and the divided postwar Germanies; novels and films complement readings.
3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours.
REL 201 - Hebrew Bible in English
Credit: 3 hours
[IAI Code: H5901] Analyzes the critical issues in the interpretation of the literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament; surveys the history and religion of Ancient Israel with special reference to Israel's setting in the ancient Near East.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or consent of instructor.
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Spring 2026 for:
- Humanities – Hist & Phil
REL 212 - History of Antisemitism
Credit: 3 hours
This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Spring 2026 for:
- Cultural Studies - Western
- Humanities – Hist & Phil
REL 419 - Jesus and Judaism
Credit: 3 OR 4 hours
Examines the ways Jews over the last two thousand years thought about, polemicized against, and celebrated, Jesus of Nazareth. The course will cover numerous types of Jewish literature including, but not limited to, folk stories and Talmudic teachings (from Late Antiquity), published letters, polemical treatises, law codes, philosophical tracts, and mystical writings (from the Middle Ages) and, lastly, works of Reform theology, ecumenical treatises, Zionist literature, and Jewish artistic expressions (in the Modern Period).
3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Prior course in Religion, Jewish Studies, or consent of the Instructor.
REL 442 - History of Early Judaism
Credit: 3 or 4 hours
The history of Judaism from Ezra to the rise of Islam: Hellenism and Judaism, varieties of Judaism, Palestinian Judaism and its documents, Babylonian Judaism, the rabbis, and popular Jewish culture.
Same as HIST 432 and JS 442. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite: Credit in one course in religion at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level, or consent of instructor.
REL 511 - Introduction to Jewish Studies
Introduction to Jewish Studies
Credit: 4 hours
Intensive study of select topics or issues in the study of religion.
May be repeated in the same or separates terms as topics vary.