Jewish American Studies Minor - Undergraduate - 2012 University Catalog

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The Jewish American Studies Minor is a multidisciplinary academic program designed to complement any of the undergraduate majors at Montclair State University. The program provides an appreciation of the heritage, arts, religion, language, sciences and values of the people of Jewish heritage in America.

The Jewish American Studies Program aims to foster the development of a cultural, religious, social and historical perspective of past and present experiences of Jewish people as well as examine current developments that impact upon the life and progress of Jewish Americans in society. The program is consistent with Montclair’s mission to “provide students with a greater sense of global awareness and cultural diversity.”

The requirements consist of 18 credits: nine credit hours of required courses, which are RELG 301 Contemporary Jewish Thought, offered by the department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, JAST 201 Introduction to Jewish American Studies, and JAST 401 Capstone Course in J.A. Studies.  Students can choose other courses across disciplines such as Anthropology, History, Philosophy and Religion, Political Science, Sociology, Music, Theater, and Child and Family Studies; in addition students may take studies abroad.  Students may major in any academic department of their choice.  The minor combines well with careers in business, economics, education, law, medicine, social sciences, literature and the arts.  A lively series of cultural programs, films, forums and lectures provides insight on current issues and exposes students and the community to a wide range of views on the topics discussed.

JEWISH AMERICAN STUDIES MINOR

Complete 18 semester hours, including the following 2 requirement(s):

  1. REQUIRED COURSES FOR MINOR

    Complete the following 2 courses:

    JAST 201 Introduction to Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture) 3
    JAST 401 Capstone Course in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture) 3
  2. ELECTIVES FOR MINOR

    Complete 4 courses for a total of 12 semester hours from at least 2 different departments.

    1. JEWISH AMERICAN STUDIES

      Complete $H-6 semester hours from the following:

      1.  

        JAST 220 The Synagogue School in the American Sunday School Movement (3 hours lecture) 3
        JAST 390 Selected Topics in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture) 3
        JAST 399 Independent Study in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture) 3
      2. 1 course from the following list may be taken.

        ENGL 219 The Holocaust and the American Press: Before, During and After (3 hours lecture) 3
        JAST 219 The Holocaust and the American Press: Before, During and After (3 hours lecture) 3
      3. 1 course from the following list may be taken.

        JAST 351 Comparative Legal Perspectives: Israel and the United States (3 hours lecture) 3
        POLS 351 Comparative Legal Perspectives: Israel and the United States (3 hours lecture) 3
    2. HEBREW

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following:

      HEBR 101 Beginning Hebrew I (3 hours lecture) 3
      HEBR 112 Beginning Hebrew II (3 hours lecture) 3
      HEBR 121 Intermediate Hebrew I (3 hours lecture) 3
      HEBR 132 Intermediate Hebrew II (3 hours lecture) 3
    3. POLITICAL SCIENCE

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (POLS 410, 416 and JURI 499 may be used with written approval).

      POLS 215 Ethnic Politics in America (3 hours lecture) 3
      POLS 332 U.S. Immigration: Law and Politics (3 hours lecture) 3
      POLS 342 Government and Politics of the Middle East (3 hours lecture) 3
    4. ENGLISH

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (ENGL 493 or ENLT 492 may be taken with written approval).

      ENLT 330 Hebrew Bible/Old Testament as Literature (3 hours lecture) 3
    5. PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (RELG 350, 352, 355, 357, and 490 may be used with written approval)

      RELG 200 Old Testament: Genesis to Joshua (3 hours lecture) 3
      RELG 202 Old Testament: Joshua to Daniel (3 hours lecture) 3
      RELG 223 Religion in North America (3 hours lecture) 3
      RELG 273 The Holocaust: Religious Perspectives (3 hours lecture) 3
      RELG 301 Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism (3 hours lecture) 3
    6. MUSIC

      Complete $H-3 semester hours from the following list.

      MUGN 236 The History of Broadway (3 hours lecture) 3
    7. HISTORY

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (HIST 332, 408, 409 and 410 may be used with written approval)

      HIST 310 Immigrant in American History (3 hours lecture) 3
      HIST 426 The Nazi Third Reich (3 hours lecture) 3
      HIST 427 The Holocaust, 1939-1945 (3 hours lecture) 3
    8. JUSTICE STUDIES

      Complete $H to 3 semester hours from the following: (JUST 398 or 499 may be used with written approval).

      JUST 319 Hate Crimes (3 hours lecture) 3
    9. ANTHROPOLOGY

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (ANTH 414 or 480 may be taken with written approval).

      ANTH 110 Anthropology of Multicultural America (3 hours lecture) 3
      ANTH 115 Cultures of the Middle East (3 hours lecture) 3
      ANTH 425 Anthropology of Religion (3 hours lecture) 3
    10. SOCIOLOGY

      Complete $H to 6 semester hours from the following: (SOCI 310 and 411 may be used with written approval)

      SOCI 102 Racial and Ethnic Relations (3 hours lecture) 3
      SOCI 207 Social Structure of American Society (3 hours lecture) 3
    11. WOMEN'S STUDIES

      Complete $H to 3 semester hours from the following:. (WMGS 302 may be taken with written approval).

      HIST 314 Women and Migration (3 hours lecture) 3
      WMGS 314 Women and Migration (3 hours lecture) 3
    12. OTHER ELECTIVES

      Complete $H to 9 semester hours from the following with written approval: INTL 401, FCST 408, FCST 419, THTR 403, THTR 432.


Course Descriptions:

ANTH110: Anthropology of Multicultural America (3 hours lecture)

Analysis of the diversity of racial, ethnic, religious, occupational, and other subcultures and subgroups within the U.S. Emphasis on the character of American culture. Subpopulations are examined in relationship to each other and to the mainstream culture. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Social Science. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirement (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

ANTH115: Cultures of the Middle East (3 hours lecture)

The Middle East culture area in anthropological perspective. Emphasis is placed on the nature of different interlocking cultural systems which are adaptations to environmental stresses in the Middle East. The concepts of culture and society will be explored in the context of course materials. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Social Science, Non-Western Cultural Perspectives. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

ANTH425: Anthropology of Religion (3 hours lecture)

Patterns of religious beliefs and behaviors which relate to sacred, supernatural entities. Origin theories, divination, witchcraft, mythology and the relationship of religious movements to other aspects of culture. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ANTH 301 or ANTH 310 or ANTH 330 or ANTH 340 or ANTH 350 or ANTH 360 or ANTH 370 or ANTH 380 or departmental approval.

ENGL219: The Holocaust and the American Press: Before, During and After (3 hours lecture)

This seminar explores the central questions of what did the American public know of the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945, and when did it know it? More troubling still, if the public and thus the government knew of the assembly-line murder of 6 million Jews, and Sinti/Roma peoples, homosexuals, Communists, Jehovah's Witnesses and others, then why was nothing done? A thorough examination of radio, newsreel and especially newspaper coverage of the Holocaust - particularly from 1941-1945 - will be combined with a study of the historical events that made the Holocaust possible. The Holocaust and the free world's burden to "do something" also will be related to other genocides including Armenia, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur and others. Cross-listed with JAST 219. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

ENLT330: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament as Literature (3 hours lecture)

An introduction to the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament as a work of literature. Biblical texts covered in part or full may include the following: Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Proverbs, Lamentations, the Song of Songs, Esther, Daniel, Jonah, and the major prophets. Attention will be paid to the themes, historical background, and formal literary qualities of biblical prose and poetry and their influence on later literature. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENFL 208 or ENGL 234 or ENGL 237 or ENGL 238 or ENGL 240 or ENGL 241 or ENGL 247 or ENGL 248 or ENGL 250 or ENGL 254 or ENGL 256 or ENGL 260 or ENGL 262 or ENGL 263 or ENGL 275 or ENGL 294 or ENLT 206 or ENLT 207 or ENLT 230 or ENLT 235 or ENLT 250 or ENLT 260 or ENLT 274 or ENWR 204 or ENWR 210 or ENWR 220. Starting Spring 2013: ENWR 220 or ENGL 219 or ENGL 234 or ENGL 237 or ENGL 238 or ENGL 239 or ENGL 240 or ENGL 241 or ENGL 250 or ENGL 254 or ENGL 256 or ENGL 260 or ENGL 262 or ENGL 263 or ENGL 275 or ENGL 294 or ENGL 300 or ENGL 341 or ENGL 342 or ENLT 206 or ENLT 207 or ENLT 230 or ENLT 235 or ENLT 250 or ENLT 260 or ENLT 274.

HEBR101: Beginning Hebrew I (3 hours lecture)

For students starting Hebrew in college or students who have been placed at this level after taking the placement exam. Designed to develop the fundamental skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing through classroom drill, video-cassettes, and laboratory work. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages. 3 sh.

HEBR112: Beginning Hebrew II (3 hours lecture)

For students who have had previous experience with the Hebrew language or who have been placed at this level after taking the placement exam. Continuation of the four skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) through classroom drill, video-cassettes, and laboratory work. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HEBR 101.

HEBR121: Intermediate Hebrew I (3 hours lecture)

This course is designed for students who have completed Beginning Hebrew I and II at Montclair State University or who have been placed at this level after taking the placement exam. Though the course continues to build on the listening comprehension and speaking skills developed in Beginning Hebrew I and II, the course focuses on reading and writing through the study of representative works and characteristic aspects of modern Israeli Jewish culture. Laboratory work available. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HEBR 101 and HEBR 112.

HEBR132: Intermediate Hebrew II (3 hours lecture)

For students who have completed Intermediate Hebrew I at Montclair State University or students who have been placed at this level after taking the placement exam. Advanced development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the study of authentic texts, representative works, and characteristic aspects of Israeli life and Jewish culture. Laboratory work is available. Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Languages. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HEBR 121.

HIST310: Immigrant in American History (3 hours lecture)

The processes by which the immigrant was incorporated into American society. Includes the cultural backgrounds from which the different groups came; the reasons for emigration; the nature of the communities they created once they reached the U.S.; their religious and social institutions; the problems of maintaining ethnic culture with the pressure to Americanize. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HIST 100; AND HIST 117 OR HIST 118.

HIST314: Women and Migration (3 hours lecture)

This course focuses on female migrants from the late nineteenth century to the present. Using an interdisciplinary approach with an emphasis on historical studies, it considers issues of work, family, sexuality, and identity formation for migrant women past and present. Questions to explore include: what distinguishes the experiences of migration for women; what are the continuities and differences for women across time, ethnicity, and geography; how do historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and others, as well as the migrants themselves, understand female migration; what do women gain and lose through migration; and why a gendered approach to migration studies is crucial. Cross listed with Women's and Gender Studies, WMGS 314. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102; or HIST 100 and HIST 117 or 118.

HIST426: The Nazi Third Reich (3 hours lecture)

Major economic, social, political and intellectual developments in 20th century Germany. Demise of Weimar Republic and ascension of Nazi Third Reich. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HIST 100; AND HIST 117 OR HIST 118.

HIST427: The Holocaust, 1939-1945 (3 hours lecture)

The history of the Holocaust and an overview of its representations in the academic historiography as well as in literary and autobiographical texts. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: HIST 100; AND HIST 117 OR HIST 118.

JAST201: Introduction to Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture)

This class explores the Jewish experience in America. Topics in education, family human services, immigration, aculturalization, multiple religious expressions, Jewish history in the u.S., gender, performing arts, politics,organizationsaand institutions, will be studied as they relate to Jewish American individuals and communities. This class serves as a core in the Jewish American Studies Minor. Cross listed with EDFD 201. 3 sh.

JAST219: The Holocaust and the American Press: Before, During and After (3 hours lecture)

This seminar explores the central questions of what did the American public know of the Holocaust from 1933 to 1945, and when did it know it? More troubling still, if the public and thus the government knew of the assembly-line murder of 6 million Jews, and Sinti/Roma peoples, homosexuals, Communists, Jehovah's Witnesses and others, then why was nothing done? A thorough examination of radio, newsreel and especially newspaper coverage of the Holocaust - particularly from 1941-1945 - will be combined with a study of the historical events that made the Holocaust possible. The Holocaust and the free world's burden to "do something" also will be related to other genocides including Armenia, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur and others. Cross-listed with ENGL 219. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 106 or HONP 101.

JAST220: The Synagogue School in the American Sunday School Movement (3 hours lecture)

This course explores the historical and sociocultural foundations of the Jewish American synagogue movement as part of the Sunday school movement in the United States. Topics in education, curriculum, materials and assessment development as well as pedagogical approaches to second/foreign language and languages for specific purposes will be studied as they relate to multiple models of the Jewish American K-12 supplementary education. Repeat to 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ENWR 105 or ENWR 106 or HONP 100 or HONP 101.

JAST351: Comparative Legal Perspectives: Israel and the United States (3 hours lecture)

This seminar explores the legal and political traditions giving rise to contemporary Israeli and American legal systems. This encompasses such aspects as democratic process with its origins and influences, governmental institutions within each legal system, the role of religion and the protection of minority rights. Comparative perspectives provide an understanding of each legal system within its national context. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: POLS 201 or POLS 202 or LAWS 200 or JURI 210 or JAST 201 or departmental approval.

JAST390: Selected Topics in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture)

This course will explore aspects of Jewish American studies not covered in the curriculum or which deserve more in-depth treatment than that in an existing course. The specific topic will be announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated once for a total of 6.0 credits. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JAST 201 or departmental approval.

JAST399: Independent Study in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture)

This course will provide students and faculty with flexibility within the existing academic structure. Students and faculty may collaborate to create a course of study which either supplements existing courses or fills in gaps which either student or faculty perceive in a student's curriculum. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JAST 201.

JAST401: Capstone Course in Jewish American Studies (3 hours lecture)

Students will work with the instructor to develop a research area that is both derived from and builds on their earlier classroom and/or personal experience. Students in the course are expected to share the progress and outcome of their research with the class. Scope of topics to be selected to enrich the student's overall understanding of Jewish American Studies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JAST 201.

JUST319: Hate Crimes (3 hours lecture)

The course examines issues relating to how and why people hate; what constitutes a hate crime; whether and how society should legislate against hate crime; and how tolerance can be promoted in an ever-diverse and complex world. Course topics may include a historical perspective on hate; psychological and sociological theories as to why people hate hate; hate crime laws; enforcement issues relating to hate crime laws; constitutional challenges to hate laws; international hate crime; and new frontiers in hate and hate crime. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: JUST 101 or JUST 200 or JUST 201 or JUST 232 or departmental approval.

MUGN236: The History of Broadway (3 hours lecture)

Introduction to the varieties of style in music for the purpose of extending dramatic action, characterization and atmosphere in musicals, operettas and musical comedies. Representative works from 1927 to present. Meets Gen Ed 2002 - Fine and Performing Arts. 3 sh.

POLS215: Ethnic Politics in America (3 hours lecture)

The political behavior of American ethnic groups from the Puritans to the Puerto Ricans. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirement (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. 3 sh.

POLS332: U.S. Immigration: Law and Politics (3 hours lecture)

This course explores the interrelationships among the legal, political and societal factors in major legislative enactments of U.S. immigration and nationality law as they relate to government institutions and affected populations. The course examines the law and politics of restrictive immigration since the founding of our nation, including exclusion laws of the nineteenth century, quota systems of the twentieth century, and key legislative acts of the later 20th and early 21st centuries. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: POLS 101 or LAWS 200 or JURI 210 or departmental approval.

POLS342: Government and Politics of the Middle East (3 hours lecture)

Govenment and politics in the Arab states, Turkey, Israel and Iran. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: POLS 201 or departmental approval.

POLS351: Comparative Legal Perspectives: Israel and the United States (3 hours lecture)

This seminar explores the legal and political traditions giving rise to contemporary Israeli and American legal systems. This encompasses such aspects as democratic process with its origins and influences, governmental institutions within each legal system, the role of religion and the protection of minority rights. Comparative perspectives provide an understanding of each legal system within its national context. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: POLS 201 or POLS 202 or LAWS 200 or JURI 210 or JAST 201 or permission of department.

RELG200: Old Testament: Genesis to Joshua (3 hours lecture)

The evolution of the ancient Hebrew world view as developed in the biblical books covering the early period of Israelite history. The course includes a close reading of the books of Genesis, Exodus and numbers, comparison with contemporary Middle Eastern religious texts and study of the biblical story from the creation through the career of Moses (circa 1250 B.C.E.). 3 sh.

RELG202: Old Testament: Joshua to Daniel (3 hours lecture)

The history and theology of Israelite religion as seen in the biblical books covering the middle and late periods (1150-165 B.C.E.). 3 sh.

RELG223: Religion in North America (3 hours lecture)

The growth and development of various religious movements-- Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and sectarian minorities-- from colonial times to the present. 3 sh.

RELG273: The Holocaust: Religious Perspectives (3 hours lecture)

A study of Nazi extermination of 6,000,000 Jews during World War II and the moral and religious issues raised by this event. 3 sh.

RELG301: Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism (3 hours lecture)

The writings of Rosenzweig, Buber, Heschel, Rubenstein, Fackenheim, Plaskow, Wyschogrod and others will be examined in detail. They will be studied in the context of the religious crisis of modern society which has generated Existentialism, Death of God Theology and radical shifts in Jewish life (the Holocaust and the rebirth of Israel). Students will be introduced to popular Jewish religious practice in America and elsewhere as well as to the most complex Jewish Theological speculation of this century. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: A PHIL or RELG course; or PHIL or RELS major or minor; or departmental approval.

SOCI102: Racial and Ethnic Relations (3 hours lecture)

The social meaning of race and ethnicity. The social, psychological and structural sources of racism; the consequences of this phenomenon to groups; situation and comparative data. Meets General Education 2002, K3 Social Science. Meets the Human and Intercultural Relations Requirement (HIRR). Meets the World Languages and Cultures Requirement - World Cultures. Previous course SOCI 202 effective through Winter 2012. 3 sh.

SOCI207: Social Structure of American Society (3 hours lecture)

Empirical materials on social structure. Inter-institutional relations as the form of the broad, general structure of American society. 3 sh.

WMGS314: Women and Migration (3 hours lecture)

This course focuses on female migrants from the late nineteenth century to the present. Using an interdisciplinary approach with an emphasis on historical studies, it considers issues of work, family, sexuality, and identity formation for migrant women past and present. Questions to explore include: what distinguishes the experiences of migration for women; what are the continuities and differences for women across time, ethnicity, and geography; how do historians, sociologists, anthropologists, and others, as well as the migrants themselves, understand female migration; what do women gain and lose through migration, and why a gendered approach to migration studies is crucial. Cross listed with History, HIST 314. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: WMGS 102; or HIST 100 and HIST 117 or 118.

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