Summer 2009

Oregon School of Judaic Studies
Portland State University
Summer courses
June 22-August 16, 2009

Israeli Society Through Drama
Eng 199 (1 credit)
Sacha Reich
T 7:00-9:20 pm
June 23 - July 14
Cramer 221 (first session only)
Non-credit (Jst 099) fee: $80

Journey with complex characters through controversial issues in works by three contemporary Israeli playwrights. Gain an appreciation of Israeli drama and a deeper understanding of the Israeli experience. Includes attendance at three Israel Onstage productions.

Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Hst 410/510 (1 credit)
Robert Cargill
M - Th 10:30 am - 12:50 pm
June 15 - June 18
Clay 203
Non-credit (Hst 099) fee: $100

An intensive introduction to the most important archaeological discovery of the twentieth century. Explore how the library of documents discovered in caves on the shores of the Dead Sea influence our understanding of ancient and modern Judaism and Christianity.

Dr. Robert R. Cargill is an archaeologist and biblical scholar at UCLA, where he serves as the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the Center for Digital Humanities. He is the Chief Architect and Designer of the Qumran Visualization Project, a 3D, real-time, virtual reconstruction of the site of Khirbet Qumran. His research focuses on Northwest Semitic languages and Near Eastern archaeology of the Second Temple Period.

Jerusalem in Antiquity
Hst 410/510 (2 credits)
Hagith Sivan
M,W 8:00 - 10:20 am
June 22 - June 15
Cramer 383
Non-credit (Hst 099) fee: $180

Delve into the ancient history of Jerusalem, from the mythic foundation of the city by King David to the golden Dome of the Rock. Explore the biblical, Hellenistic, Roman, and early Islamic phases of the city’s history. Gain unique insights into the formation of monotheistic religions and the sanctification of space.

Dr. Hagith Sivan, alumna of Columbia, Yale and Tel Aviv University, has combined her love for the Hebrew Bible with her interest in rabbinics to produce a book on the Ten Commandments (2004) that reclaims the encoded voice of womanhood by selecting female characters’ narratives as interpretative clues, and another book on gender and Judaism (2002). Her most recent book is Palestine in Late Antiquity (Oxford, 2008), which explores the intricate connections between communities and how Jews fared under the Christian Roman Empire.

Jewish Music
Mus 199/399 (2 credits)
Alexander Knapp
M,W 7:00 - 9:20 pm
June 22 - June 15
location tba
Non-credit (Mus 099) fee: $100

Sample from the thrillingly diverse history of Jewish music from the ancient Temple in Jerusalem to the present day. Follow developments in liturgical, folk, popular, and classical musics among Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Oriental, and modern European and Israeli Jews. Special attention to the unique genius of modern composer Ernest Bloch.

Dr. Alexander Knapp is a graduate of Cambridge University and studied ethnomusicology at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Until taking early retirement in 2006, he held the Joe Loss Lecturership in Jewish Music at the University of London (SOAS). For forty years he has published and lectured widely on the subject of Jewish music, as well as composing, arranging, conducting, broadcasting, and performing as pianist in the UK, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Russia and the USA. He is an authority on the life and music of Ernest Bloch.

A worldwide celebration of the life and music of Ernest Bloch will commemorate the 50th anniversary of this major composer's death in 1959. Portland State University is proud to join in this international festival of music. For information about the many events, in Portland and beyond, celebrating Bloch, please visit http://www.ernestbloch.org/.

First-Year Modern Hebrew
Heb 101, 102, 103 (12 credits)
Ayal Yariv
M - F 8:00 - 10:20 am
June 22 - Aug 26
Cramer 401
Non-credit (Heb 099) fee: $750

Have you ever wanted to learn Hebrew? In these nine dynamic and enjoyable weeks you can complete the entire first-year university sequence in modern Hebrew.

Family and Identity Through Film
Soc 410/510
Robert Liebman
M, W 5:30 - 9:40 pm
June 22 - July 15
Clay 203
Non-credit (Soc 099) fee: $180

Probe intergenerational dynamics, marriage, and gender roles in the experience of Jews, Hispanics, and Asians, through readings and documentary and narrative films from Europe, the Americas, and Israel.

To register for courses, please visit http://www.summer.pdx.edu/. For more information about the courses, events, and programs of the Harold Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at Portland State Univerisity, please visit http://www.judaic.pdx.edu/ or contact weingrad@pdx.edu.

OSJS courses are open to students and learners of all ages and backgrounds for both credit and noncredit. Credit is available through Portland State University. Summer students planning to transfer credits to their home institutions should get advance approval of their selections. Because OSJS is self-supporting, courses are not available through the Senior Adult Learning Center. Scholarships are available through the generosity of donors. Enrollment begins May 2. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Contact 503-72LEARN or http://www.summer.pdx.edu

Non-credit courses and auditing: Courses with 099 numbers may be taken as non-credit (099) courses. Fees are as follows: 1 credit: $80, 2 credits: $150, 4 credits: $250.