POS 4931/JST 4936
Judaism and Politics
Dr. Kenneth Wald
Spring, 2011

Schedule

(To access readings marked "reserve," please see the following instructions.)

Week
Date
Topic and Readings
1
Jan. 6 (Th)
Concept of Jewish Politics
   Commentary 1 (to be read during class)
2
Jan. 11 (Tu), 13 (Th) Politics in the Biblical Period
   Commentary 2
3
Jan. 18 (Tu), 20 (Th) Politics in the Middle Ages (Europe & Asia)
   Biale, "Power & Powerlessness in Jewish History: Corporate Governance" (reserve)
   Katz, "Tradition and Crisis: Structure of the Kehila" (reserve)
   Dowty, "The Jewish State: Jewish Politics" (reserve)
   Court Jew readings
   Zenner, "Jewish Retainers"
4
Jan. 25 (Tu), 27 (Th) Enlightenment & Emancipation
   Lederhendler, "On Modern Jewish Politics: Varieties" (reserve)
5
Feb. 1 (Tu), 3 (Th)

American Jewry - Arrival and Adaptation
   Sarna, "American Revolution"
   Elazar, "Community and Polity: American Environment" (reserve)
6
Feb. 8 (Tu), 10 (Th)*

*1st paper deadline
American Jewish Polity - National & Local
   Maisel, ch. 6
   Goren, "New York Jews and the Quest for Community" (reserve)
7
Feb. 15 (Tu), 17 (Th) Jewish Organizational Activity
8
Feb. 22 (Tu), 24 (Th) American Jewish Political Elites - Roles & Profiles
   Maisel, chs. 2-5, 7 ,12
   Shogan, "Prelude to Catastrophe" (reserve)
   Elie Wiesel
   Meier Kahane  
9
Mar. 1 (Tu), 3 (Th) No class on March 1; Midterm on March 3 from 10:40-11:30 (4th period)
SPRING BREAK - March 7-11
11
Mar. 15 (Tu), 17 (Th) American Jewish Political Behavior
    Maisel, chs. 8-11
    Sorin, "Prophetic Minority: Roots of Radicalism" (reserve)
12
Mar. 22* (Tu), 24 (Th)
*2nd paper deadline
Judaism in Israel
    Cohen & Susser, ch. 1,2  
13
Mar. 29 (Tu), 31 (Th) Religion & State Issues in Israel
    Cohen & Susser, chs. 3-5 
    Cohen, "Religious Parties in 2006"
14
April 5 (Tu), 7 (Th) Jewish Thought on War 
15
April 12 (Tu), 14 (Th)

Judaism and Israeli Foreign Policy
   Naor, "Behold, Rachel"
   Bick, "Rabbis & Rulings"
 Final on April 14 from 10:40-11:30 (4th period)
16
April 19 (Tu) No class due to Passover: Paper due in hard copy in Anderson 234 and electronically