FALL 2010 COURSE OFFERINGS
IN JUDAIC STUDIES, JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE
AND JEWISH EDUCATION AT TOWSON UNIVERSITY
BIBLICAL AND ANCIENT NEAR EASTERN CIVILIZATIONS
JDST 600: BIBLICAL LITERATURE AND CIVILIZATION Dr. Barry M. Gittlen
Monday, 7:00-9:40 pm
The major literary product of Israelite civilization, the Bible is
the primary vehicle for the understanding of
this civilization. Critical examination of the Bible, its
literature, and its cultural setting produces a more
informed knowledge of literary form, style and function in ancient
Israel; an intelligent understanding of
Israel’s literature, history and civilization during the first
millennium B.C.E.; and insight into Israel’s religious
ideas, institutions and theology which are reflected in this great
literature.
JDST 609: II KINGS -SOCIO-LITERARY PERSPECTIVES
Dr. Barry M. Gittlen
Wednesday, 4:00-6:40pm
II Kings surveys the history of Israel and Judah from the death of
King Ahab (850 B.C.E.) to the Babylonian
conquest and exile of Judah in 586 B.C.E. Exploring beyond the
historical setting of II Kings, our analysis will
seek to understand the text’s literary portrayal of ideological,
theological, historiography, and overarching
cultural issues, the nature of literary genres, and the composition
of the target audience to which the
narrative originally spoke.
RLST 103.001: EXPLORING BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY (UNDERGRADUATE –GEN ED
IID)
Dr. Barry M. Gittlen
Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-3:15 pm
This course gives students insight into the nature of archaeological
evidence and the difficulties involved in
interpreting and applying this evidence to cultural problems in
ancient Israel and its neighboring states. After
introducing the theory, method and principles of archaeology as
practiced in Israel, we examine fundamental
issues in the archaeology of Israel. Special attention will be paid
to correlations between text and artifact as
well as to the role of archaeology in the study of ancient Israel
and her neighbors in the biblical period.
RLST 201.001: INTRODUCTION TO THE HEBREW BIBLE (UNDERGRADUATE
GEN ED II.C.1)
Dr. Susanna Garfein
Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00-12:15 pm
The Hebrew Bible or Old Testament is arguably the most read text in
the history of civilization. It may also be
the most misread. This course introduces you to the Old Testament
(or Tanakh as Jews refer to it) and the
culture that produced it. This course delivers a broad overview of
the history and literature of the Bible,
surveying various biblical books and offering not only a background
to the biblical period but also to the
structure of biblical literature and its interpretation.
JEWISH HISTORY
JDST 650.001: JEWS UNDER ISLAM
Guest Professor: Jonathan Ray, Samuel Eig Assist. Professor of
Jewish Studies, Georgetown University
Mondays, 4:00 pm --6:30 pm
This course will explore the major intellectual and cultural trends
of the Jews living in the Islamic world from
the rise of Islam through the 19th century. Topics to be covered
include the relationship between Judaism and
Islam, the legal status of the Jews, the organization and structure
of the Jewish community and major
developments in Jewish religion, philosophy, literature, and
folklore.
JEWISH THOUGHT AND MYSTICISM
JDST 661: TANYA –
THE MAGNUM OPUS OF HASIDIC LITERATURE
Dr. Shimon Shokek
Tuesday, 7:00-9:40 pm
This course introduces central themes in the influential masterpiece
of Hasidism known as Tanya. Our study
will unfold focal religious beliefs that have become inseparable
from the spiritual world of Hasidism during
the last three centuries under the influence of the Tanya. Among
them are the religious stature of the
righteous; the influence of evil on the soul; the praxis of human
attachment to divine reality; Hasidic gates of
repentance and forgiveness; communion with the divine through
spiritual happiness; letters and words as
divine ontology; the religious process of speech, thought, and
action; and spiritual living in a state of
nothingness.
RLST 206: JUDAISM, CHRISTIANITY, AND ISLAM (UNDERGRADUATE –
GENED II.C.3)
Dr. Shimon Shokek
Monday and Wednesday, 3:30-4:45 pm
This course introduces major themes in the history, scriptures,
doctrines, and practices of the three
monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The course
will explore the theological and
philosophical meanings of monotheism, religious authority, worship
and ritual, ethics, philosophy, and
mysticism in the framework of these three monotheistic religions.
Special emphasis will be put on similarities
and differences that have shaped the identity of each of these three
religions.
RLST 370.004: JEWISH MYSTICISM AND KABBALAH (UNDERGRADUATE)
Dr. Shimon Shokek
Monday and Wednesday, 2:00-3:15 pm
This course introduces selected themes in Jewish mysticism and
Kabbalah that have shaped the spiritual life
of the Jewish people. The course will explore the emergence of early
Jewish mysticism, the Kabbalah of
Provence and Gerona, the classical Zohar, and the Kabbalah of Safed.
Among the subjects to be discussed are
Einsof the Infinite God, Sefirot and Divine Emanation, the Secret of
the Creation of the World, Mystical
Experience and Communion with God, and the Esoteric Language of the
Bible.
RABBINIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
JDST 781: FOR THE SAKE OF THE BOUND WOMAN THE RABBIS WERE LENIENT
Dr. Barry Freundel
Thursday, 7:00-9:40 pm
In wars and times of persecution or simply because of tragic
happenstance, a Jewish man might disappear
leaving his wife bound by law to a possibly dead husband. This
course will explore how Jewish law dealt with
this problem across the ages. Beginning with one of our earliest
rabbinic texts, the Mishnah, tracing the
treatment of this issue through the Gemara into the responsa and
codes, and culminating in 20th and even
21st century rabbinic writings we will discover the broad range of
rabbinic creativity and leniency brought to
bear on this tragic issue. Along the way we will discover how in
response to many tragic events in Jewish
history such as the Hadrianic Persecutions, the Crusades and the
Holocaust, when this problem was
prevalent, Jewish law adapted to give the many women caught in this
situation the freedom to begin their
lives again with a new husband and family. We will travel through
these eras in chronological order
culminating in a discussion of the 16 cases brought to the
Rabbinical Council of America of men who
disappeared at ground zero on 9/11.
RLST 210.001: INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM (UNDERGRADUATE)
Dr. Barry Freundel
Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-3:15 pm
This course offers a general introduction to Judaism. We will begin
by discussing the basic identity structures
of the Jew -culture, ethnicity, nationality, religion, values-and
the part they play in forging people’s Jewish
connection. The second segment of the course will deal with the
intellectual life of the Jew. Starting with a
survey of critical canonical texts we will also look at historically
significant non-canonical and anti-canonical
works such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Apocrypha and the Christian
Bible. We will also spend some time on
the history and high points of secular Jewish literature. This will
lead us into an exploration of Jewish law
(Halakhah), ethics, prophecy, philosophy, mysticism and eschatology.
The last part of our study will focus on
ritual and symbolism. We will see how Jews have defined sacred space
(land, temple, synagogue, household),
sacred time (the rituals of the day, the week, the year and the
lifecycle), sacred objects (tallit, tefillin,
mezuzah, kipah), sacred ritual (kashrut, mikvah), and sacred speech
(liturgy). Throughout the semester, we
will focus on the dynamics of Judaism as a religious "tradition," in
which innovation and change emerges
through asserting continuity with the past.
HONORS 370.005: HONORS SEMINAR ADVANCED TOPIC: JUDEO CHRISTIAN
PERSPECTIVES IN MEDICAL
ETHICS (UNDERGRADUATE)
Dr. Barry Freundel
Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-1:45 pm
Christianity and Judaism teach concerning cutting edge and long
standing issues in the field of medical ethics.
After a general introduction to the underlying ethical principles
and structures of each way of thought and to
each system’s approach to the medical practitioner and to health and
healing in general, we will turn to
specific topics such as abortion, cloning, pre-gender selection and
euthanasia among others that will
demonstrate how these basic ideas are then reflected in real world
concerns of both historic and
contemporary interest.
HEBR 103/JDST 544: BIBLICAL HEBREW I (HEBREW REQUIREMENT –GENED IID)
Dr. Susanna Garfein
Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-3:15 pm (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to Hebrew with emphasis on the
grammar, vocabulary, syntax and style of
Classical Hebrew. This course teaches the fundamentals of Hebrew
language as well as prepares students to
read and translate classical Hebrew texts. This course serves as the
foundation for the students’ continued
studies of the classical Hebrew of the Hebrew Bible and rabbinic
texts as well as the Hebrew of the
contemporary idiom.
HEBR 203/ JDST 546: BIBLICAL HEBREW III (3 CREDITS) (HEBREW
REQUIREMENT –GENED IID)
Dr. Susanna Garfein
Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-4:45 pm
This course is for students who have completed 6 credits of
Classical Hebrew. Students will continue their
study of classical Hebrew texts with concentration on more
complicated structures of Hebrew grammar,
morphology, syntax, and vocabulary. Prerequisite: Permission of
Instructor.
HEBR 101: MODERN HEBREW I (3 CREDITS) (HEBREW REQUIREMENT –GEN ED
IID)
Dr. Eyal Bor
Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 -1:45 pm
This course is an introduction to the fundamental structure of
Modern Hebrew grammar. The foundation for
future comprehension will be established through basic language
skills such as reading, writing, conversation
and reading comprehension. Students will learn basic communication
skills as well as the necessary
vocabulary for reading of Modern Hebrew texts.
HEBR 202: MODERN HEBREW III (3 CREDITS) (HEBREW REQUIREMENT—GEN ED
IID)
Dr. Eyal Bor
Tuesday and Thursday, 2:00-3:15 pm
This course is designed for students who have completed 6 credits of
Modern Hebrew. Studentswill learn to
recognize and use new and more complicated structures of Hebrew
grammar and morphology as well as
acquire vocabulary for more advanced reading of Modern Hebrew texts
and conversation. Prerequisite:
Permission of Instructor
JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE
JCS 610: PRINCIPLES OF JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE
Dr. Valerie Thaler
Wednesday, 7:00-9:40 pm
A comprehensive overview of the American Jewish community today, and
a survey of specific challenges
facing professionals in the field of Jewish Communal Service. Topics
include major themes of American
Jewish history; an introduction to the organization of the American
Jewish community in the 21st century,
including current-day communal structures and institutional
functions; an in-depth look at the most pressing
issues confronting the American Jewish community today, as well as
some of the newest solutions that have
been raised by lay and professional leaders; practical training in
leadership skills.
JCS 618: SUPERVISED JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE INTERNSHIP (3 CREDITS)
Dr. Hana Bor
Students enrolled in the MAJCS program are required to complete a
supervised field internship. This
internship is carefully designed to develop leadership skills
necessary to become a Jewish Communal
professional. The internship will enable students to develop the
skills necessary for professional growth and
adhere to the individual goals. Students must complete a minimum of
two full days per week in Jewish
institution or organization [ex: The Associated, or other Jewish
Federations, JCC etc.]
JCS 614: JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE PRACTICUM SEMINAR (1 CREDITS)
Dr. Hana Bor
Friday mornings from 10:00 am -12:00 pm (once a month)
The monthly practicum seminar provides an opportunity for Master of
Arts in Jewish Communal Service
[MAJCS] students to study with their peers and professional leaders.
Theoretical and practical aspects of contemporary issues are
discussed as well as relations with lay leaders;
and community visionaries. This seminar integrates the studies and
professional development to enable
students to be confident as they embark on their careers.
Participation in the seminar is mandatory for a
minimum of two years.
JEWISH EDUCATION
EDUC 670: MORAL QUESTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM (3 CREDITS)
Dr. Rebecca Shargel,
Mondays, 4:20–
6:50 pm
This course investigates the rationale for character education in
schools. Students will study competing
paradigms of moral education that include both conservative and
liberal perspectives. In addition, students
compare moral deliberations in Jewish, Catholic, and public
settings.
ILPD 670 SPECIAL TOPICS: EDUCATIONAL EXPLORATION OF THE HOLOCAUST (3
CREDITS)
Dr. Hana Bor
Thursday, 7:00-9:30 pm
Students in this course will learn about the history of the
Holocaust. The course will include analysis of the
issues as well as exploration of effective teaching methodologies to
communicate the subjects to their
students. Modalities that enhance students understanding will
include documents, films and interviews with
survivors. Each student will prepare and present curricular units
applicable to the teaching of Holocaust.
There are no prerequisite required for this course.
ILPD 670 SPECIAL TOPICS: MENTORING IN A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
COMMUNITY (3 CREDITS)
Dr. Hana Bor and Dr. Richard Solomon
Summer: June 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30
Based on research, theory and best practices in mentoring and
collaborative supervision, this practical course
is designed to help veteran teachers, staff developers, current and
future administrators, challenge and
develop the capabilities of pre-service and in-service teachers
within a professional learning community.
Participants will experience and discuss these topics: The knowledge
base and skills needed for mentoring
and supervising preserves and in-service teachers. The knowledge
base for teaching and learning, learning to
teach, and reflection. The clinical supervision models. Observation
forms and techniques for observation.
Giving and receiving professional feedback.
EDUC 600: FOUNDATIONS OF JEWISH EDUCATION (3 CREDITS)
Dr. Rebecca Shargel,
Wednesdays, 7:00–9:40 pm
An introduction to the philosophy and history of Jewish education in
the United States. The origins of the day
school, congregational school, camping movements are explored.
EDUC 605: RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION (GENERAL TOWSON
EDUCATION COURSE)
Dr. Rebecca Shargel
Wednesday 4:20-6:50 pm
EDUC 794: PRACTICUM SEMINAR ON FRIDAY MORNINGS FROM 10:00-12:00
(ONCE A MONTH)
Dr. Hana Bor
Practical experiences within the historical profession.
Prerequisite: Approval of the program director.
JDST 683: DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH (2-4 CREDITS)
Research and reading with a topic to be selected by the instructor
and student. Prerequisite: Graduate
standing, 18 units of graduate work, and consent of the instructor
and Program director.
JDST 697: DIRECTED READING IN JEWISH STUDIES (2-4 CREDITS)
Reading in areas of selected by the instructor and the student. No
more than 6 units of 697 and 797 may be
applied toward a degree. Prerequisites: Graduate standing, 18 units
of graduate work, consent of the
instructor and program director.
JDST 797: DIRECTED INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH IN JEWISH STUDIES (3 CREDITS)
Research and reading with a topic to be selected by the instructor
and the student. No more than 6 units of
697 and 797 may be applied toward a degree. Prerequisites: Graduate
standing and 18 units of JDST core
courses.
JDST 897: MASTER’S THESIS (6 CREDITS)
Thesis research in Jewish Studies. An original investigation, using
research methods and design, of a research
problem. Students who have completed all other course requirements
for the master’s degree must register
for JDST 897 for six units or take JDST 898 for three units for two
consecutive semesters following
completion of their didactic coursework. Prerequisite: Permission of
graduate program director.
JDST 898: MASTER’S THESIS (3 CREDITS)
Thesis research in Jewish Studies. This is the previous course
(897), taken over two consecutive semesters.
Prerequisite: Permit from graduate program director.
JDST 899: MASTER’S THESIS CONTINUUM (1 CREDIT)
Continuation of thesis work. Prerequisite: 6 units of Thesis 897 or
898.
MONTHLY SEMINARS AND INTERNSHIPS
ILPD 797: SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION INTERNSHIP
Dr. Hana Bor
Students enrolled in the MAJE administrative track are required to
complete a
supervised administrative internship. The internship is designed to
develop educational vision, leadership
skills and practices based on students’ individualized interests.
The internship will enable students to develop
the skills necessary for professional growth in Jewish educational
administration.
EDUC 797: SUPERVISED TEACHING INTERNSHIP
Dr. Hana Bor
Students enrolled in the MAJE teaching track are required to
complete a
supervised teaching internship. The internship will be
individualized, enabling each student to develop the
skills necessary for professional growth in a variety of Jewish
institutions. Dr. Hana Bor will coordinate
student internships.
JCS 618: SUPERVISED JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE INTERNSHIP
Dr. Hana Bor
Students enrolled in the MAJCS program are required to complete a
supervised field internship. This
internship is carefully designed to develop leadership skills
necessary to become a Jewish Communal
professional. The internship will enable students to develop the
skills necessary for professional growth and
adhere to the individual goals. Students must complete a minimum of
two full days per week in Jewish
institution or organization [ex: The Associated, or other Jewish
Federations, JCC etc.]
JCS 614: JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE PRACTICUM SEMINAR
--*YEAR-LONG/1-CREDIT
Dr. Hana Bor
The monthly practicum seminar provides an opportunity for Master of
Arts in Jewish Communal Service
[MAJCS] students to study with their peers and professional leaders.
Theoretical and practical aspects of
contemporary issues are discussed as well as relations with lay
leaders; and community visionaries. This
seminar integrates the studies and professional development to
enable students to be confident as they
embark on their careers. Participation in the seminar is mandatory
for a minimum of two years.
JCS 618: SUPERVISED JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICE INTERNSHIP (3 CREDITS)
Dr. Hana Bor
Students enrolled in the MAJCS program are required to complete a
supervised field internship. This
internship is carefully designed to develop leadership skills
necessary to become a Jewish Communal
professional. The internship will enable students to develop the
skills necessary for professional growth and
adhere to the individual goals. Students must complete a minimum of
two full days per week in Jewish
institution or organization [ex: The Associated, or other Jewish
Federations, JCC etc.]
JDST 719: JEWISH STUDIES SEMINAR --*YEAR-LONG/1-CREDIT
Dr. Susanna Garfein
The seminar will be held three evenings each semester and be a
combination of scheduled lectures and
faculty and student presentations. (Required of all Masters
Students)
JDST 890: DOCTORAL SEMINAR *YEAR-LONG/1-CREDIT
Dr. Shimon Shokek
The seminar will be held three evenings each semester and be a
combination of scheduled lectures and
faculty and student presentations. (Required of all doctoral
students)
