For a full list of our current undergraduate courses, including instructor names and meeting times, please check the Jewish Studies listings in the UW-Madison Course Search and Enroll.
To view requirements for a Jewish Studies major or certificate, see the UW-Madison Guide.
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Fall 2021
HBR-MOD 101: First-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
MTWR 9:55AM – 10:45AM
Credits: 4
Course level: Elementary
Description: 1st semester Modern Hebrew language course
HBR-MOD 201: Third-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
M 11:00AM – 11:50AM, TR 11:00AM – 12:15PM
Credits: 4
Course level: Intermediate
Description: third semester Modern Hebrew language course
JS 203: Jewish Law, Business, and Ethics
Prof. Jordan Rosenblum
Lecture: MW 12:05-12:55
Discussion sections:
301 – F 12:05 – 12:55
302 – W 11:00 – 11:50
303 – F 11:00 – 11:50
Credits: 3
Course Level: Elementary
Breadth: Humanities
Description: Explores the development of Jewish law from antiquity to modernity, with a focus on legal questions related to business practices and ethics. Issues range from ethical practices in agriculture to how to run a modern multibillion-dollar kosher industry; from the ethics of Jews celebrating Thanksgiving to regulations governing the preparation, consumption, and sale of coffee.
JS 219: The American Jewish Experience: From Shtetl to Suburb
Prof. Tony Michels
Lecture: MWF 1:20-2:10
Discussion Sections:
301 – W 2:25 – 3:15
302 – W 3:30 – 4:20
303 – R 8:50 – 9:40
304 – R 9:55 – 10:45
Credits: 4
Course level: Intermediate
Breadth: Humanities
Gen Ed: Ethnic Studies
Description: Surveys American Jews from the eighteenth century until after WW II, examining political behavior (radicalism, liberalism, and nationalism), class formation, social mobility, culture, inter-ethnic group relations, religion, and problems in community building.
HBR-MOD 301/JS 301: Fifth-Semester Modern Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
TR 1:00PM – 2:15PM
Credits: 3
Course level: Advanced
Breadth: Literature
Description: language and literature course
HBR-MOD 401/JS 401: Topics In Modern Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
TR 1:00PM – 2:15PM
Credits: 3
Course level: Advanced
Breadth: Literature
Description: 7th semester Modern Hebrew; language and literature course
JS 430: Anne Frank
Prof. Jolanda Taylor
TR 2:30PM – 3:45PM
Credits: 3
Course level: Intermediate
Breadth: Literature
Description: Examines the context in which Anne Frank’s diaries were written, the various ways in which they were received, and what her work and life have to say to people today amid the continued scourge of racism. Topics include the nature of literature: is what Ms. Frank wrote literature? Why, or why not?
JS 430: Jewish Humor
Prof. Sunny Yudkoff
TR 1:00PM – 2:15PM
Credits: 3
Course level: Intermediate
Breadth: Literature
Description: Examines the notion of “Jewish humor” by reading a variety of texts (jokes, short stories, films, websites, conceptual art, and cultural kitsch). While the focus is on American texts from the 1880s until the present, we will also reach back in time to examine humor in classical Jewish texts, from the Hebrew Bible to the Middle Ages. The general goal of the course will be to answer the question: Is there such a thing called “Jewish humor”? (Hint: The answer may be “no.”)
JS 432: Sexual Violence in the Bible
Prof. Chontel Syfox
TR 4:00-5:15pm
Credits: 3
Course level: Intermediate
Breadth: Humanities
Description: Examines the intersections of sex and violence in biblical and related literature. Reading through a variety of lenses, including feminist interpretation, queer theory, and post-colonial theory, we will consider how, why, and for whom texts depicting gender violence worked in the ancient world. We will also explore the reception of such texts in art, fiction, and film and their impact on modern society.
Spring 2021
JEWISH 220: Introduction to Modern Jewish History
Cross-listed with History 220
Prof. Amos Bitzan
Modality: Remote Synchronous
TR 1:00-2:15PM
JEWISH 279: Yiddish Literature and Culture in America
Cross-listed with German 279 and LitTrans 279
Prof. Sunny Yudkoff
Modality: Remote Synchronous
Lecture: MW 9:55-10:45AM
Discussion sections:
R 9:55-10:45AM (301)
F 9:55-10:45AM (302)
R 8:50-9:40AM (303)
F 12:05-12:55PM (304)
JEWISH 328: Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation
Cross-listed with Religious Studies 328 and LitTrans 328
Prof. Jordan Rosenblum
Modality: Remote Synchronous
TR 11:00AM-12:15PM
JEWISH 340: The American Jewish Life of DNA
Cross-listed with Religious Studies 340
Prof. Cara Rock-Singer
Modality: Remote synchronous
MW 2:30-3:45PM
JEWISH 356: Jerusalem: Conflict & Desire
Meets with Religious Studies 400-006
Prof. Rachel Brenner
Modality: Remote synchronous
MWF 9:55-10:45AM
HBR-MOD 402/JEWISH 402: Eighth-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
Modality: Remote Synchronous
TR 1:00-2:15
JEWISH 430-001: Holocaust: Testimonies and Expressions
Prof. Rachel Brenner
Modality: Remote synchronous
MWF 8:50-9:40AM
JEWISH 430-002: Hebrew Literature from the Bible to the Present
Prof. Marina Zilbergerts
Modality: Remote synchronous
TR 11:00AM-12:15PM
JEWISH 431-001: Trials of the Holocaust (Intermediate Topics in Jewish History)
Prof. Frank Tuerkheimer
Modality: Remote synchronous
W 1:20-3:20PM
JEWISH 432-001: Literature and the Problem of Evil
Meets with Religious Studies 400-005
Prof. Marina Zilbergerts
Modality: Remote synchronous
TR 9:30-10:45AM
JEWISH 432-002: Bible & Film
Meets with Classics 373
Prof. Jeremy Hutton
Modality: Remote synchronous
TR 9:30-10:45AM
JEWISH 433-001: Modern Jewish Thought
Meets with Sociology 496-006
Prof. Chad Alan Goldberg
Modality: Remote synchronous
TR 2:30-3:45PM
JEWISH 433-002: The Politics of Human Rights
Meets with Political Science 434-001
Prof. Scott Straus
Modality: Remote synchronous
Lecture MW 2:30-3:45PM
Discussion sections:
M 4:35-5:25PM (302)
M 1:20-2:10PM (303)
W 9:55-10:45AM (304)
W 11:00-11:50AM (305)
T 8:50-9:40AM (306)
R 2:25-3:15PM (307)
JEWISH 442: Moral Philosophy and the Holocaust
Meets with Philosophy 442 and Religious Studies 400-004
Prof. Adam Stern
Modality: Remote synchronous
TR 9:30-10:45AM
JEWISH 539: Jewish Literatures in Diaspora
Cross-listed with English 539
Prof. Sunny Yudkoff
Modality: Remote synchronous
M 1:20-3:15PM
JEWISH 631-001: Holocaust Research
Cross-listed with History 600-002
Prof. Amos Bitzan
Modality: Remote Synchronous
R 11:00-12:55PM
JEWISH 665: Israeli Politics and Society
Cross-listed with Political Science 665
Prof. Nadav Shelef
Modality: Remote synchronous
MW 4:00-5:15PM
JEWISH 675: Research Colloquium for Majors: Readings in Zionism
Prof. Tony Michels
Time to be arranged with professor; taken in conjunction with 677
JEWISH 677: Independent Research for Majors: Readings in Zionism
Time to be arranged with professor; taken in conjunction with 675
Prof. Tony Michels
Time to be arranged with professor
3 credits
HBR-MOD 102: Second-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
Modality: Remote Synchronous
MTWR 9:55-10:45
Credits: 4
HBR-MOD 202: Fourth-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
Modality: Remote Synchronous
M 11:00-11:50, TR 11:00-12:15
HBR-MOD 302/JEWISH 302: Sixth-Semester Hebrew
Prof. Judith Sone
Modality: Remote Synchronous
TR 1:00-2:15
Fall 2020
- JS 203: Jewish Law, Business, and Ethics (Cross-listed with Religious Studies and Legal Studies 203)
- JS 219: The American Jewish Experience: From Shtetl to Suburb (Cross-listed with History 219)
- JS 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English) (Cross-listed with Classics 227)
- JS 230: Russia and Jews: Literature, Culture, Religion (Cross-listed with Slavic 245 and LitTrans 247)
- JS 231 (Lec 002): Jerusalem: Conflict and Desire (FIG)
- JS 231 (Lec 003): The Holocaust (Cross-listed with History 233)
- JS 232: Israeli Culture in Music and Film
- JS 430 (Lec 001): Holocaust: Testimonies and Expressions
- JS 430 (Lec 002): Jewish Humor (Cross-listed with English 457)
- JS 430 (Lec 003): Anne Frank (Cross-listed with German 625 and LitTrans 326)
- JS 431: Muslims and Jews
- JS 432: Sexual Violence in the Bible (Cross-listed with Classics 373, Lec 002)
- Hebrew-Modern 101: First Semester Hebrew
- Hebrew-Modern 201: Third Semester Hebrew
- Hebrew-Modern 301: Introduction to Hebrew Literature (5th semester Hebrew) (Cross-listed with JS 301)
- Hebrew-Modern 401: Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I (7th semester Hebrew) (Cross-listed with JS 401)
Spring 2020
- JS 231: Religion and Sexuality
- JS 236: Jewish Composers in the Early Modern to Modern Eras (Cross Listed: MUSIC 236)
- JS 279: Yiddish Literature & Culture in America (Cross Listed: GERMAN 279, LITTRANS 279)
- JS 335: King David in History and Tradition (Cross Listed: CLASSICS 335, RELIGIOUS STUDIES 335)
- JS 356: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- JS 430: Holocaust: Testimony & Expressions
- JS 442: Moral Philosophy and The Holocaust (Cross Listed: PHILOSOPHY 442)
- JS 510: German-Jewish Social Thought (Cross Listed: GERMAN 510)
- JS 675: Research Colloquium for Majors
- Hebrew 102: Second Semester Hebrew
- Hebrew 202: Fourth Semester Hebrew
- Hebrew 302: Introduction to Hebrew Literature
- Hebrew 402: Israeli Literature and Culture II
Fall 2019 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 101: First Semester Hebrew
- Modern Hebrew 201: Third Semester Hebrew
- Modern Hebrew 301: Introduction To Hebrew Literature (cross listed with Jewish Studies 301)
- Modern Hebrew 401: Topics In Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature And Culture I (cross listed with Jewish Studies 401)
- Jewish 219: The American Jewish Experience: From Shtetl to Suburb
- Jewish 231: Jewish Law, Business, & Ethics
- Jewish 231: Jerusalem: Conflict & Desire
- Jewish 267: Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience (cross listed with German 267)
- Jewish 301: Introduction to Hebrew Literature (cross listed with Hebrew-Modern 301)
- Jewish 401: Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I (cross listed with Hebrew-Modern 401)
- Jewish 430: Testimonies & Cultural Expressions of the Holocaust
- Jewish 432: The Sabbath: History, Religion
- Jewish 515: Holocaust: History, Memory, and Education
- Jewish 539: Jewish Literatures in Diaspora
Spring 2019 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 102: Second Semester Hebrew
- Modern Hebrew 202: Fourth Semester Hebrew
- Modern Hebrew 302/402: Introduction to Hebrew Literature/Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature
- Jewish 230: Russia and the Jews II: The World of Revolution
- Jewish 220: Introduction to Modern Jewish History
- Jewish 279: Yiddish Literature and Culture in America
- Jewish 318: Modern Jewish Literature
- Jewish 328: Classical Rabbinic Literature
- Jewish 332: Prophets of the Bible
- Jewish 356: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- Jewish 430: Holocaust: Testimony and Expressions
- Jewish 432: Problem of Evil in Jewish & Christian Literature
- Jewish 515: Holocaust: History, Memory, and Education
- Jewish 518: Antisemitism in European Culture, 1700-1945
- Jewish 630: Yiddish for Reading and Research
- Jewish 665: Israeli Politics and Society
- Jewish 675: Research Colloquium for Majors
- Jewish 677: Independent Research for Majors
Fall 2018 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 101
- Modern Hebrew 201
- Modern Hebrew 301: Intro to Hebrew Literature
- Modern Hebrew 401: Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature
- Jewish 211: Introduction to Jewish Studies
- Jewish 219: American Jewish Experience from Shtetl to Suburb
- Jewish 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature
- Jewish 230: Representing the Holocaust in Poland
- Jewish 230: The Jewish Enlightenment: Gender, Modernization, and Literary Self-Fashioning
- Jewish 230: Russia and the Jews: Literature, Culture, and Religion
- Jewish 231: The Holocaust
- Jewish 231: FIG: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- Jewish 267: Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience
- Jewish 269: Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe
- Jewish 367: Israeli Fiction in Translation
- Jewish 430: Testimonies and Cultural Expressions of the Holocaust
- Jewish 433: Modern Jewish Thought
- Jewish 433: The Soviet Jewish Experience
- Jewish 452: Biblical Archaeology
- Jewish 539: Jewish Literatures in Diaspora
Spring 2018 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 102
- Modern Hebrew 202
- Modern Hebrew 302: Intro to Hebrew Literature
- Modern Hebrew 402: Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature
- Jewish 230: Representing the Holocaust in Poland
- Jewish 231: Religion and Sexuality
- Jewish 231: History of the Holocaust
- Jewish 236: Jewish Composers: Early Modern to Modern
- Jewish 279: Yiddish Literature and Culture in America
- Jewish 318: Modern Jewish Literature
- Jewish 356: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- Jewish 430: Holocaust: Testimony and Expressions
- Jewish 432: Struggling with God in Literature
- Jewish 432: Modern Jewish Thought
- Jewish 435: Jewish Philosophy from Antiquity to the Seventh Century
- Jewish 451: Biblical Archaeology
- Jewish 514: Biblical Texts, Poetry
- Jewish 632: Intellectual Origins of Israel
- Jewish 665: Israeli Politics and Society
- Jewish 675: Research Colloquium for Majors
- Jewish 677: Independent Research for Majors
Fall 2017 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 101
- Modern Hebrew 201
- Modern Hebrew 301 (Intro to Hebrew Literature)
- Modern Hebrew 401 (Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature)
- Jewish 219: American Jewish Experience from Shtetl to Suburb
- Jewish 220: Modern Jewish History
- Jewish 230: Representing the Holocaust in Poland
- Jewish 230: Dead Yiddish Poets Society
- Jewish 230: Russia and the Jews: Literature, Culture, and Religion
- Jewish 231: Jewish Law, Business and Ethics
- Jewish 231: FIG: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- Jewish 267: Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience
- Jewish 269: Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe
- Jewish 335: King David in History and Tradition
- Jewish 367: Israeli Fiction in Translation
- Jewish 430: Testimonies and Cultural Expressions of the Holocaust
- Jewish 433: The Soviet Jewish Experience
- Jewish 513: Biblical Texts, Poetry
- Jewish 518: Anti-Semitism in European Culture
- Jewish 632: Jewish Intellectuals and Politics in the 20th Century
Summer 2017 Courses
- Jewish 213: Jews and American Popular Culture
- Jewish 267: Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience
Spring 2017 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 102
- Modern Hebrew 202
- Modern Hebrew 302 (Intro to Hebrew Literature)
- Modern Hebrew 402 (Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature)
- Jewish 213: Jews and American Popular Culture
- Jewish 230: Representations of the Jew in Eastern European Cultures
- Jewish 231: Religion and Sexuality
- Jewish 231: Israel: History of a Nation-State
- RS 234: Genres of Western Religious Writing
- Jewish 267: Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience
- Jewish 279: Yiddish Literature and Culture in America
- Jewish 318: Modern Jewish Literature
- Jewish 356: Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire
- Jewish 432: Holocaust: Literature, Music, Memory and Representation
- Jewish 442: Moral Philosophy and the Holocaust
- Jewish 593: Literature of Jewish Identity in America: The Literature of Angry Jews
- Poli Sci 631: Arab-Israeli Conflict
Fall 2016 Courses
- Modern Hebrew 101: First Semester Hebrew
- Modern Hebrew 201: Third Semester Hebrew
- Jewish 211: Introduction to Judaism
- Jewish 220: Introduction to Modern Jewish History
- Jewish 227: Introduction to Biblical Literature
- Jewish 230: Elementary Topics in Jewish Literature – Migration in Film and
Literature: The American Jewish Experience - Jewish 231: Elementary Topics in Jewish History – Jerusalem: Conflict and Desire (FIG)
- Jewish 241: Introduction to Biblical Archaeology
- Jewish 269: Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe
- Modern Hebrew 301: Introduction to Hebrew Literature
- Jewish 367: Israeli Fiction in Translation
- Modern Hebrew 401: Topics in Modern Hebrew Literature
- Jewish 430: Intermediate Topics in Jewish Literature – Testimony and Expression
- Jewish 431: Intermediate Topics in Jewish Studies: Social Sciences – Religions of Ancient Israel
- Jewish 518: Anti-Semitism in European Culture
- Jewish 665: Israeli Politics and Society
