Summer II 2023

REL*1714*A Gender in the Bible

Biblical texts and traditions have exercised enormous influence on how people in the modern U.S. understand gender and gender roles. In this asynchronous online course, students will learn about some of these texts within their historic and literary settings and the ways these have been interpreted in a variety of U.S. contexts. Among the writings students will consider are the story of Eve from Genesis, the Book of Esther, and Paul’s writings about marriage, sex, and same-sex relationships. Students will develop their close reading and textual analysis skills, as well as learning how to identify and assess ways religious traditions contribute to culture and politics.

 

Fall 2023

HEB*1010*A Modern Elementary Hebrew I

This course is designed for students with no prior experience in the language. Special emphasis is placed on active communication to develop oral and comprehension skills. If you have prior knowledge of Hebrew either in a traditional academic setting or a religious setting contact the instructor to determine your Hebrew level. A paper and pencil placement exam is available. Additional Information: $20 course fee

HEB*3010*A Falafel Nation

Focusing on the period between the 1905 immigration wave and the present, the course will explore the cultural, social, and economic practices relating to the production and consumption of food in Palestine and later Israel. The course will also analyze how the change in relationship between Israelis and their food mirrors the search for a definition of modern Jewish nationalism. We will examine the role of women (focusing on the struggle of pioneer women to be recognized as equal partners in the building of the country), ethnic groups, and different generations in the food narrative of the country and we will also highlight some of the issues associated with this narrative. In addition, the course will also examine trends in food globalization and food glocalization.  We will also examine how political differences (Israeli Palestinian Conflict and Israel’s neighbors) are translated into food wars and on the other hand we will also examine the ways in which efforts are made to use food as a bridge to create an understanding between nations (gastro diplomacy). Does not count toward the World Language Proficiency Requirement. Additional Information: $45 course fee

HST*1390*A Fascism and Propaganda

This course focuses on the theory and practice of propaganda during the 12 years of the Third Reich. It combines the study of the ideological roots of National Socialism, the radical and peculiarly German form of Fascism, with a close analysis of the techniques, organization, and effectiveness of the Nazi regime’s propaganda. Challenging the idea of the total power of propaganda, it looks for the limits of persuasion and possible other reasons for which Germans might have decided to follow Hitler. The course is divided into two main parts, which address (1) the historical developments in Nazi Germany until the outbreak of the War, 1933-1939; and (2) the Second World War and the destruction of European Jewry, 1939-1945. Additional Information: Open only to first-year students in their first semester at Elon.

HST*3160*A Modern Middle East

This course offers an historical perspective for better understanding critical issues in the modern Middle East. Students will survey the rise of Islam, the Ottoman Empire and Western Imperialism in the 19th century before focusing on events of the 20th century. Two world wars and their consequences; the rise of modern states, the development of nationalism, pan-Arabism and Islamic revival, social tensions, regional conflicts and the economics of oil; and contemporary revolutionary political events will be examined. Students will learn about a topic of personal interest through individual research projects. Offered fall of odd years.

HST*4971*A Senior Sem/The Holocaust

The senior seminar is a capstone experience designed for majors. This course offers practical experience in researching, writing and presenting a senior thesis, which builds on previous work in the field (that must be approved by the professor). This senior seminar provides history majors the opportunity to write a senior thesis on important issues and problems central to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi state and/or historical debates that continue to surround the origins, implementation, and aftermath of the Holocaust – the systematic, industrialized mass murder of an estimated six million European Jews, as well as homosexuals, communists, Roma and Sinti, handicapped, and other victims by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during WWII. Students may choose from a variety economic, political, social, cultural, diplomatic, scientific, or intellectual approaches to the study of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust in a substantial research paper that advances a significant argument and presents evidence from a variety of sources, both primary and secondary. Requisites: Take HST*3010 – Must be completed prior to taking this course.

REL*1850*A Jewish Traditions

This course traces the history of the Jewish community from its origins in ancient Israel to the present day, considering the evolution of its major ideas and practices as well as the diversity of Jewish cultures throughout the world. A range of classical and contemporary Jewish approaches to theology, ethics, ritual, gender, peoplehood, spirituality, authority and relations with other communities will be explored.

REL*3260*A Sex Lives of Saints: Sex, Gender and Ancient Mediterranean Religions

Ancient writings on sex and gender have had an enormous influence on modern Euro-American perspectives. This course explores how ancient Mediterranean religious traditions, including first century Judaism and early Christianity, constructed and regulated gender and sexuality. While the main focus is upon reading ancient primary sources, students will be introduced to contemporary gender theory as well as some of the ways in which ancient traditions continue to impact modern views on gender and sexuality.