2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog
Course Descriptions
Certain courses on this list are special topics or rotating topic courses. Students should make certain that the course taught under such headings has appropriate Jewish Studies content. The Center for Jewish Studies provides a list of courses each semester.
AML 4685 Race and Ethnicity
Credits: 3.
A variable topics course examining issues, movements, forms or themes related to race and ethnicity in American literature. Topics may include Pacific Rim cultures in America, Chicano-Latino literature, the Black Arts Movement, constructing Native America, border-crossing and migration, post-war Jewish fiction, literature and the psychology of prejudice, comparative representations of racial and ethnic experience, representing whiteness, literatures of assimilation and multi-racial identities.
ANT 3241 Anthropology of Religion
Credits: 3.
Cross-cultural survey of beliefs and practices dealing with the supernatural, magic and religion. Conceptualization of the supernatural. Sacred specialists, their function and social position. Theories of comparative religion in light of anthropological data. (S, N)
CPO 4000 Selected Studies in Comparative Politics
Credits: 3. (N, S)
ENG 4135 National Cinemas
Credits: 4; can be repeated with a change of topic up to 12 credits. Refer to the department.
Variable topics. A study of the films of one or more of the historically important national cinemas (e.g., American, French, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese).
EUH 3033 History of the Holocaust
Credits: 3.
A survey of the origins of anti-Semitism in central Europe, and the execution of the Holocaust by Nazi Germany. Examines not only the ideology of the Nazi leaders, but the role of the SS, Army, Police and ordinary citizens in perpetrating genocide. (H, N) (WR)
EUH 4464 Twentieth Century Germany
Credits: 3.
This courses discusses the collapse of the monarchy and tribulations of Weimar Republic. Detailed examination of Hitler's seizure of power and of social, political and ideological aspects of the Third Reich. (H, N) (WR)
GEO 3424 Geography of Jewish Population
Credits: 3.
The magnitude, spatial distribution and composition of the Jewish population in the U.S. and the world. Change over time will also be addressed with a focus on regional variation. (S)
HBR 1130 Beginning Modern Hebrew 1
Credits: 5.
Beginning course covering four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course is designed for students with no prior exposure to the language. Students with previous study of or exposure to Hebrew must enroll in HBR 2132, Hebrew for Heritage Learners 1.
HBR 1131 Beginning Modern Hebrew 2
Credits: 5; Prereq: refer to the department.
HBR 2132 Hebrew for Heritage Learners 1
Credits: 5.
For students with significant speaking and listening backgrounds. Modern Hebrew course with emphasis on reading and writing. Covers first year Hebrew in one semester.
HBR 2133 Hebrew for Heritage Learners 2
Credits: 5; Prereq: refer to the department.
This course covers first and second semester of second year Modern Hebrew. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible for HBR 3410.
HBR 2220 Second-Year Modern Hebrew 1
Credits: 4; Prereq: refer to the department.
HBR 2221 Second-Year Modern Hebrew 2
Credits: 4; Prereq: refer to the department.
HBR 3104 Biblical Hebrew
Credits: 3.
HBR 3410 Third-Year Modern Hebrew 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department. (H, N)
HBR 3411 Third-Year Modern Hebrew 2
Credits: 3. Prereq: refer to the department. (H, N)
HBR 4905 Individual Work
Credits: 1 to 5; Prereq: refer to the department.
HBR 4930 Special Topics
Credits: 3.
Proseminar of variable content providing an opportunity for in-depth study of special topics in Israeli literature, history or culture.
HBR 4956 Overseas Studies 1
Credits: 1 to 15; can be repeated with change in topic up to 15 credits. Prereq: Permission of undergraduate adviser.
A mechanism for course work taken at a foreign university as part of an approved study abroad program. Credits taken under this will be transferred to UF and count toward graduation.
HBT 3223 Identity and Dissent in the Hebrew Short Story
Credits: 3.
Traces the tension between the individual and the collective in Zionist/Israeli society over the last 100-plus years as illustrated in Hebrew short fiction.
HBT 3233 Israeli History and the Contemporary Novel
Credits: 3.
Studies Israeli history through the lens of the contemporary novel.
HBT 3563 Women in Modern Hebrew Fiction
Credits: 3.
Depictions of women in 20th century Hebrew fiction. (H, N)
HMW 3201 Introduction to Modern Hebrew Literature 2
Credits: 3.
The selection of texts is more contemporary and includes recently published stories and poems. Class is instructed in Hebrew.
HMW 4200 Readings in Modern Hebrew Literature 1
Credits: 3; Prereq: HBR 3411 or equivalent..
Readings in modern Hebrew texts, short fiction and poetry. The study of literature is emphasized but some language work is presented to help with reading comprehension. Language of texts and instruction is in Hebrew.
HMW 4201 Readings in Modern Hebrew Literature 2
Credits: 3; Prereq: HMW 4200 or equivalent.
Selection of texts is more contemporary and includes recently published stories and poems. Class is instructed in Hebrew.
JST 2930 Special Topics in Jewish Studies
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 6 credits.
Selected topics in the study of Jewish civilization.
JST 3930 Special Topics in Jewish Studies
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 12 credits.
Selected, variable topics in Jewish thought, history, literature and culture, such as classified Jewish texts, Jewish law, Jewish ethics, folklore, Hasidism, Holocaust literature. (WR)
JST 4905 Individual Work in Jewish Studies
Credits: 1 to 3; can be repeated with change in topic up to 6 credits.
For advanced students who desire to supplement regular courses by independent reading or research under guidance.
JST 4936 Colloquium in Jewish Studies
Credits: 3; Prereq: REL 2600 or the equivalent, junior standing and instructor permission.
Colloquium in Jewish Studies is designed to enhance the student's knowledge of the development and significance of Jewish civilization in all its variable aspects. For juniors and seniors.
JST 4940 Internship in Jewish Studies
Credits: 1-6; can be repeated up to 6 hours. Prereq: REL 2600 or the equivalent; instructor permission and junior standing. S/U only.
Preapproved internship with Jewish communal, educational or service institutions. Only three credits of JST 4940 can count toward the Jewish studies major/minor. (S-U)
JST 4956 Overseas Studies
Credits: 1 to 18 ; can be repeated with change in topic up to 18 credits. Prereq: Permission of undergraduate adviser.
This revolving topics course provides a mechanism by which course work taken abroad as part of an approved student program can be recorded on the transcript and counted toward graduation at UF.
JST 4970 Senior Honors Thesis
Credits: 1 to 3; maximum 3 credits.
Directed research leading to submission of an honors thesis. Work completed under the supervision of a Jewish Studies faculty member. Students can register for one semester (3 credits) or for two semesters (1 and 2 credits respectively). Required for magna or summa cum laude designation.
LIT 3173 Jewish Literature
Credits: 3; can be repeated once with change in content up 6 credits.
A variable content course in aspects of the Jewish literary experience, from the biblical narrative and classical tales to Yiddish and Hebrew literature, the modern European novel, and American Jewish fiction. Consult home page. (H, N)
MUH 3621 Jewish Art Music in Western Culture
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
A cultural history of western art music inspired by Jewish subjects, Biblical and non-Biblical, composed by both Jewish and non-Jewish composers, and a survey of Jewish performing musicians from the Renaissance to the present. (H, N)
POS 4291 Religion and Politics in the United States
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
Investigates the role of religious institutions, values and communities in contemporary American political life. (WR)
REL 2000 Introduction to Religion
Credits: 3.
Introduces the historical underpinnings, geographical movement, development, and current expression of a variety of religious traditions. (H)
REL 2104 Environmental Ethics
Credits: 3.
Exploration of competing secular and religious views regarding human impacts on and moral responsibilities toward nature and of the key thinkers and social movements in contention over them. (H) (WR)
REL 2210 Hebrew Scriptures
Credits: 3.
The history, literature and beliefs of the Israelites from the Biblical text, in the light of modern scholarship. (H)
REL 2302 Introduction to Hindu Culture
Credits: 3.
The history, performing arts, and cultural expressions of the Hindu Traditions in India and in the Diaspora.
REL 2388 Indigenous Rels. of the Americas
Credits: 3.
Focuses on the religious values, attitudes and norms of Native American peoples within the United States. (D, H) (WR)
REL 2600 Introduction to Judaism
Credits: 3.
A multidisciplinary approach to the Jewish experience from its Biblical origins to modern times. (H, N)
REL 3128 Latinos(as) in the United States: Religion, Culture and History
Credits: 3.
A survey of the history of Latino(a) presence in the U.S. and an examination of roles religion has played.
REL 3213 The Hebrew Bible as Literature
Credits: 3.
Intensive introduction to the literary study of the Hebrew Bible within the context of ancient Near Eastern literature and history.
REL 3231 The Book of Job
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission.
Examines the biblical book of Job and the ongoing tradition of its interpretation.
REL 3234 Wisdom in the Hebrew Bible
Credits: 3.
Examines ancient Israelite and early Jewish wisdom literature alongside similar literature from ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt.
REL 3291 Gender and the Hebrew Bible
Credits: 3.
A critical examination of the literary representation and historical realities of gender and sexuality in ancient Israel through close readings of selected texts from the Hebrew Bible.
REL 3321 Early Judaism and Christianity
Credits: 3.
An examination of the Jewish-Christian encounter. The historical interaction between Judaism and Christianity including how each group symbolized the other, and the practical implications of the representations. (H, N) (WR)
REL 3392 Jewish Mysticism
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
Mysticism in Judaism in Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval and Modern periods. (H) (WR)
REL 3395 Religion and Violence
Credits: 3.
Explores the problem of violence that springs from religious roots in Western, Asian, African, and Native American traditions. (H,N) (WR)
REL 3938 Special Topics in Religion
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 12 credits. (H) (WR)
REL 4092 Ethics, Utopias and Dystopias
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission.
Examines relationships between ethics and utopias in literature, religious communities and millenarian movements. (H) (WR)
REL 4209 Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Jewish Literature
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
This course will explore the varieties of literature which arose within Judaism from 250 BCE to 220 CE, including selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, the OT Pseudepigrapha, Philo and Josephus. (H)
REL 4221 The Pentateuch
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission.
In-depth study of the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) in light of modern biblical scholarship.
REL 4293 Special Topics in Biblical Studies
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 9 credits.
Advanced study of special topics for students with previous courses in biblical studies. (WR)
REL 4433 Religion and Existentialism
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission.
An in-depth exploration of the main works of various existentialist thinkers with a particular emphasis on their views of religion.
REL 4490 Special Topics in Religious Thought
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 9 credits. (WR)
REL 4611 Israelite Religion
Credits: 3; Prereq: instructor permission.
A comparative survey of literary, historical, ritual, and material aspects of ancient Israelite religion with evidence from Canaan, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome.
REL 4625 Early Rabbinic Judaism
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
A critical and historicized introduction to the Rabbinic texts of Mishnah, Midrash and Talmud. Emphasis is placed on the growth and development of the Rabbinic movement, and upon reading practices. (H, N)
REL 4671 Gender and Judaism
Credits: 3; Prereq: refer to the department.
An examination of the notions of male and female in Jewish religion, how they have been formed, and how they are changing.
REL 4936 Special Topics in Religious Studies
Credits: 3; can be repeated with change in content up to 9 credits.
Advanced study for students with proper preparation of selected topics involving one or more religious traditions. (WR)
General Education Categories
Consult Schedule of Courses for specific information.
- Biological Sciences (B)
- Composition (C)
- Diversity (D)*
- Humanities (H)
- International (N)*
- Mathematics (M)
- Physical Sciences (P)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (S)
* Students who entered UF prior to Summer B 2007 and/or whose catalog year is not 2007-08: Current students who have not already completed six hours of "I" - international/diversity credits can do so now by taking "D" and "N" courses.
Symbols Used in Course Descriptions
- (WR) indicates the course satisfies the writing requirement.
- (MR) indicates the course satisfies the math requirement.
- (S-U) indicates the course may be taken on a satisfactory-unsatisfactory basis.
- Refer to the Schedule of Courses for specific information.