Jewish Studies Minor

The Jewish Studies Program offers an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of Jewish culture, history, sociology, literature, art, film and religion. While the focus of Baruch’s Jewish Studies program highlights the American, and more specifically, the New York Jewish experience, all courses that center on Jewish-related subjects fulfill the requirements for the minor. These courses are offered often cross-listed with other departments and are open to all students; they address the historical, social, cultural, religious and political life of American and world Jewry.

Requirements for the Minor

Students are expected to complete the minor requirements in place at the time they are officially accepted into their programs. Please review the College Bulletin for the relevant academic year.

Fall 2024 Jewish Studies Course Offerings:

JWS 3810 FTA – Holocaust Literature (cross-listed with ENG 3810)

Hybrid Asynchronous – Tu 4:10PM-5:25PM

Class Number: 27197

The Holocaust, the destruction of European Jewry, is often termed an unspeakable, unimaginable, and unrepresentable event. Through a selection of eyewitness testimony, novels, stories, poetry, and art, this course examines how such works contribute to our understanding of history and literature and bear on some of the major arguments and themes around Holocaust fiction and literature including the ethics of representation; historical investigation vs personal accounts; different narrative forms; different generational accounts; responses to Holocaust narratives; and Holocaust denial. Authors may include but are not limited to: Tadeusz Borowski; Paul Celan; Eva Hoffman; Imre Kertesz; Primo Levi; Art Spiegelman; and Daniel Mendelsohn. (Students may receive credit for ENG 3810, HIS 3810, or JWS 3810. These courses may substitute for each other in the F-grade replacement policy.)

Prerequisites: ENG 2100 & 2150 and Pre/Corequisites ENG/CMP/LTT 2800 or 2850 or departmental approval.

JWS 3950 MTA – Special Topics in Jewish Studies

Topic: Israel-Palestinian Conflict (cross-listed with HIS 3088)

In-Person – Tu 11:10AM-2:05PM

Class Number: 27199

This class focuses on the intertwined histories of Israel and Palestine during the late 19th and 20th centuries. The first part examines the region as a crossroads of empires. We’ll examine the political, economic, and social contexts that shaped Jewish and Palestinian nationalist movements in the region. The remainder of the class will examine the history of these intertwined populations in the period following 1948. Topics include: 19th-century. imperialism in the Middle East; antisemitism and the emergence of Zionism; Ottoman and British Palestine; Israeli and Palestinian societies under war and conflict, the peace processes; and the return of “religious” war.

Prerequisite: ENG/CMP/LTT 2800 or 2850 or permission from the History department.

JWS 4900 MTA – Mapping the Jewish Experience

In-Person – Tu 11:10AM-2:05PM

Class Number: 27201

This course explores Jewish history within a range of communities with a focus on the immigrant nature of these communities. Using a range of sources– historical, literary, and cultural–students examine key issues at the heart of the Jewish experience for specific communities: immigration; community; religion; race; language; Zionism; urban life; music; education and professionalism; discrimination; the Holocaust; and food. Class meetings take advantage of Baruch’s location in New York City, home to the largest Jewish community in the world outside of Israel with museum visits, city tours, and the hosting a number of speakers who will share their intimate knowledge of New York Jewish community life.

Prerequisite: ENG/CMP/LTT 2800 or 2850

HIS 3551 FTRA – HIS 3551 History of the People of the City of New York

In-Person – T/TH 4:10PM-5:25PM

Class Number: 27470

A study of the history of New York City from its foundation to the present day focusing on the major national groups who settled here. During the semester, the class will consider the background of the great migrations to America, why New York attracted so many of the newcomers, the immigrant experience in the city, and the impact of the various ethnic groups on the city.

Prerequisite: One 1000-level History Course, or instructor permission

Contact

For more information about the Jewish Studies minor, please contact:

Dr. Jessica Lang, Co-Director
Jessica.Lang@baruch.cuny.edu

Dr. Sarah Valente, Co-Director
Sarah.Valente@baruch.cuny.edu