Academics

Instructions for Remote Learning Spring 2021

All undergraduate courses offered by the Department of Jewish Studies will be offered remotely via the internet in the spring 2021 term. 

The Schedule of Classes has been fully updated to indicate exactly how each class will be organized. Look up each of your courses in the Schedule of Classes to review the Course Format, the Section Comments, and the Course Notes.

Course Format: In a WHITE box adjacent to each individual Index Number:

If the course format includes Days of the Week and Times, then the class meets live remotely, usually using Zoom or WebEx. You are required to be logged-in and in virtual attendance at those times. This format, sometimes referred to as SYNCHRONOUS REMOTE, emulates the face-to-face classroom experience and all students will be meeting together with the instructor at the designated times. You can ignore the Campus Location since the course is meeting remotely.

If the course format states Hours by Arrangement, then the class does not have specific meeting times, rather the course site will indicate specific weekly requirements and assignment due dates. In addition, flexible opportunities to meet with TAs, instructors, and classmates via Zoom or WebEx will be a part of these classes. This format, sometimes referred to as ASYNCHRONOUS REMOTE, provides flexibility for students who have difficulty being logged in at a particular time while we are operating in this remote environment including those that are now in other time zones. These courses still require the same number of hours per week as more traditional course formats and meet the same learning goals. These courses ARE NOT self-paced; there is a weekly schedule of assignments and work submission beginning the first week of classes and opportunities for live, remote, interaction.

If the course format includes both a specific meeting time AND Hours by Arrangement, then the course meets live remotely, usually using Zoom or WebEx, at the specified time. You are required to be logged in and in virtual attendance at those times. The courses ALSO contains more flexible weekly requirements that you will complete online. This format, sometimes referred to as HYBRID REMOTE, often allows recitations to meet live remotely as a group.

Section Notes: In a BLUE box located above each specific section of the course. The section comments include:

  • How to access the course online using Canvas, Sakai or an alternative Learning Management System
  • Topics Course Subtitles
  • Prerequisite information
  • Registration restrictions
  • Software/technology requirements such as the need for a Webcam, Microphone, Scanner and/or Test-Taking Authentication Program.  For resources, visit the Student Tech Guide and for financial assistance to acquire need technology, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Course Notes:  In a GREY box located under the title of the course.  The course notes include:

  • SAS Core goals
  • Instructions for seeking special permission
  • Registration limitations and course equivalences

Click on red text for course description

 

01:563:100         Introduction to the Modern Middle East

01:563:101         Elementary Modern Hebrew I

01:563:102         Elementary Modern Hebrew II

01:563:103         Elementary Modern Yiddish I

01:563:104         Elementary Modern Yiddish II

01:563:121         Hebrew Review & Continuation

01:563:131         Intermediate Modern Hebrew I

01:563:132         Intermediate Modern Hebrew II

01:563:133         Intermediate Modern Yiddish

01:563:141         Biblical Hebrew I

01:563:142         Biblical Hebrew II

01:563:145         Introduction to Aramaic

01:563:146         The Bible in Aramaic

01:563:200         Ancient Near East

01:563:201         Jewish History I: Ancient and Medieval

01:563:202         Jewish History II: Modern

01:563:205         History of the Modern Middle East

01:563:206         Introduction to the Bible II: Prophets and Poetry

01:563:210         Advanced Modern Hebrew

01:563:211         Advanced Modern Hebrew

01:563:220         Introduction to the Bible I: Torah and Prose

01:563:222         Introduction to Ancient Judaism

01:563:223         Introduction to the New Testament

01:563:225         Jewish Music

01:563:226         History of Jewish Art

01:563:228         Jews and Medicine

01:563:230         Modern Jewish Culture: Key Texts and Their Afterlives

01:563:231         American Jewish History

01:563:240         Jewish-Christian Relations Through the Ages

01:563:241         Introduction to Rabbinic Literature

01:563:243         Modern Jewish Literature

01:563:245         Culture of Yiddish: An Introduction

01:563:246         Jewish Humor

01:563:250         Jewish Mysticism

01:563:254         Hasidic Tales

01:563:260         Remembering the Shtetl

01:563:261         History of Holocaust

01:563:264         Religion and Reproduction: Jewish and Christian Experiences

01:563:265         Women in the Bible (mini-course)

01:563:266         Ancient Egypt (mini-course)

01:563:269         Antisemitism

01:563:270         Between Nazism and Communism

01:563:280         Jerusalem Contested: A City's History from Jewish, Christian & Muslim Perspectives

01:563:281         Modern Israeli Culture

01:563:282         Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

01:563:289         Culture of Ladino: An Introduction

01:563:293         Topics Jewish Studies

01:563:304         Jewish Cinema & Fiction

01:563:306         American Jews and the Media

01:563:307         Medieval Spain: Muslims, Christians and Jews

01:563:308         Jews in the Islamic World

01:563:311         Classical Jewish Philosophy

01:563:312         Modern Jewish Philosophy

01:563:313         God and the Gods

01:563:314         Jews, Heretics and the Inquisition

01:563:315         Topics in Rabbinic Literature

01:563:316         Israeli Women

01:563:319         Women in Jewish Law

01:563:322         Women in the Bible

01:563:323         Women in the Bible: Hebrew Seminar (1 credit)

01:563:324         Ancient Near Eastern Religions

01:563:326         The English Bible

01:563:331         Revolutionary Jews

01:563:332         American Jewish Culture

01:563:335         Jewish American Women: Contested Lives

01:563:336         Jewish Historical Fiction (mini-course)

01:563:338         Jewish Graphic Novel

01:563:340         Dead Sea Scrolls

01:563:341         Jesus the Jew

01:563:342         Jewish Nationalism

01:563:343         History of Zionism

01:563:344         Sephardic Jewish History & Culture

01:563:346         Contemporary Jewish Culture

01:563:348         Tradition and Innovation in American Jewish Ritual

01:563:350         Introduction to the Modern Middle East

01:563:351         Contemporary Politics in the Middle East

01:563:352         Israeli Politics

01:563:355         Kafka and World Literature

01:563:359         Race, Culture & Politics: Blacks and Jews in America

01:563:360         Remembering the Holocaust

01:563:364         Genocide, the Holocaust and Legacies of Violence

01:563:365         Holocaust Literature in Translation

01:563:366         Holocaust Media

01:563:368         Jews of Germany & Austria-Hungary, 1780 - Present

01:563:370         Germany Confronts Holocaust

01:563:371         Readings in Modern Hebrew I 

01:563:372         Readings in Modern Hebrew II

01:563:373         History of Jewish Women

01:563:375         Jewish Immigrant Experience

01:563:380         German Jewish Culture

01:563:381         Topics Jewish Studies (mini-course)

01:563:382         Topics Jewish Studies (mini-course)

01:563:385         Rabbis, Rebels & Rationalists: The Jews of Eastern Europe

01:563:386         Modern Yiddish Literature

01:563:389         Jewish Politics, Jewish Power

01:563:390         Jewish Memory

01:563:393         Israeli Society through Film

01:563:394         Topics in Jewish Studies

01:563:395         Topics in Jewish Studies

01:563:396         Topics in Jewish Studies

01:563:397         Topics in Jewish Studies

01:563:404         Spinoza

01:563:405         Ugaritic

01:563:408         American Jewish Religious Movements

01:563:409         Introduction to Semitic Languages

01:563:421         Hieroglyphic Egyptian I

01:563:422         Hieroglyphic Egyptian II

01:563:431         Hebrew Bible (in Hebrew)

01:563:433         Readings in Biblical Hebrew Prose

01:563:434         Readings in Biblical Hebrew Poetry

01:563:437         Rabbinic Literature (in Hebrew/Aramaic)

01:563:451         Critical Perspectives on the Middle East

01:563:460         Jewish Studies Intern

01:563:461         Supplementary Independent Study

01:563:464         Research and Writing In Jewish Studies

01:563:471         Readings in Modern Hebrew Literature

01:563:472         The Hebrew Novel

01:563:480         Modern Mideast Literature in Translation

01:563:482         Advanced Topics Jewish Studies

01:563:483         Advanced Topics Jewish Studies

01:563:484         Love in Hebrew Literature

01:563:485         Hebrew Literature and Israeli Society

01:563:490         Studies in Jewish History

01:563:491         Independent Study and Research

01:563:492         Independent Study and Research

01:563:495         Special Topics in Literature

01:563:496         Senior Honors

01:563:497         Senior Honors

Interdisciplinary Minor in Holocaust Studies

Rutgers now offers an interdisciplinary minor in Holocaust Studies, with courses offered by the German, History, Jewish Studies, and Sociology departments.

Students studying Holocaust history materials
Photo: Dnalor 01, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Students can explore their interest in this topic by taking courses in different departments at Rutgers to develop an in-depth understanding of the Holocaust both within larger historical contexts and as it is studied across disciplines, whether in comparison to other genocides or by examining Holocaust remembrance in literature, film, and other works.

 

Through this minor, students will develop a rich sense of how to explore a compelling, complex topic through different fields of the humanities and social sciences. Students will also learn how to understand the importance that has been attached to the Holocaust as a moral paradigm that engages the public in confronting issues of social justice.

Requirements:

The minor consists of six courses, as follows:

  • Two required courses:
    • History of the Holocaust (01:510:261 / 01:563:261) [Core Curriculum Course]
    • Remembering the Holocaust (01:563:360/01:510:370:01) [Core Curriculum Course]
  • Four additional courses in at least two different departments—currently including German, History, Jewish Studies, and Sociology—related to the Holocaust. Courses can include:
    • A relevant three-credit independent study or internship (e.g., at the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York), with the approval of the faculty coordinator
    • An honors seminar on a relevant topic
    • A six-credit honors thesis on a relevant topic, with approval of the faculty coordinator
    • One relevant transfer course may be counted toward the minor, pending approval of the faculty coordinator

Read more: Interdisciplinary Minor in Holocaust Studies

Hebrew Placement Exam

+ - What is a Placement Exam? Click to collapse

A placement exam is a test designed to gauge your skills in a specific language, in this case, Hebrew. The results of the exam enable us to place you in the appropriate class level, where you can learn best, without being in a group of students who have significantly more (or less) experience and practice than you. Creating classes of students with similar language levels enables us to maintain a steady pace that aids in the learning outcomes of the entire group.

+ - Who should take a placement exam? Click to collapse

Students who have taken two or more years of a foreign language in high school must take a placement exam before taking that language again as an undergraduate in college. Students who speak Hebrew at home but are looking to take courses in that language at Rutgers also need to take the placement exam.

+ - How can I take the test? Click to collapse

The Hebrew placement test is now offered online through the eLearning site. You have 3 hours to complete the exam online. The exam includes a writing section. For this section, please write your answers, using a black or blue pen, on lined paper, then upload your answers as a PDF document to the test. Instructions to access the exams.

+ - How will I receive my results? Click to collapse

Incoming first-year students: Your results will appear on the Enrollment Pathway within two weeks.

Current Rutgers Students: Your results will be recorded in Degree Navigator.

If you have any questions about your placement test result, please contact Orna Goldman at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hebrew Placement Exams Instructions

You will have 3 hours to complete the Hebrew Placement Exam. Read the instructions below for information on how to access and complete the exam.

1. Log into Sakai using your Rutgers NetID.
2. In the left panel, click "Membership."
3. On top, click "Joinable Sites." A list of joinable sites will open.
4. In the search box on the top right, type "Hebrew Placement Exam" and click "Search."
5. Click "Join" under "Hebrew Placement Exam." A confirmation appears: "You are now a participant of the Hebrew Placement Exam."
6. Click "Home." The "Hebrew Placement Exam" Sakai site will appear among the course sites. (Click "More Sites" if it is not visible.)
7. Click on "Hebrew Placement Exam" on the top of the Sakai web page.
8. In the left panel, click "Tests & Quizzes."
9. Click on "Hebrew Placement Exam."
10. Complete the test following the instructions.
11. At the end, click "Submit for Grading." Your scores will be sent to the department.

  1. Resources for Hebrew
  2. Jewish Languages
  3. Course Schedule
  4. Learning Goals

Subcategories

Courses Offered Remotely

(Click for course description, syllabus, and video preview)

SPECIAL COURSES OFFERED


Languages & Cultures Across the Curriculum: Holocaust Literature in Yiddish
     01:991:121:E2  (Index # 21291) 1-credit add-on course
     Must also register for 01:563:365:01 (Index # 19335)
     First ten weeks - Taught online asynchronously
     Taught in English and Yiddish
     Contact Professor Jeffrey Shandler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for SPN to register.


Hebrew 405: Holocaust in Israeli Culture
     University of Michigan (Big Ten Academic Alliance Distance Learning Course)
     Must register for 01:563:491:02 (Index # 21253)
     Contact Professor Shachar Pinsker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for course details and schedule.

 

Master Course List

View by Course Number     Core Courses     Modern Hebrew Courses     Mini-Courses

Descriptions of some courses offered by the Department of Jewish Studies.

***

Fall 2023 Courses

Minors

Modern Hebrew Courses

If you have any questions, please direct them to Orna Goldman, Hebrew Language Coordinator.

Spring 2023 Courses

Spring 2024 Courses

Fall 2024 Courses

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