Spring Term 2026 Courses

JST 318U / HST 318U Jewish History II from the Middle Ages to the Present​
INSTRUCTOR: Natan Meir

How do you tell the story of a people dispersed over much of the world with no obvious political, economic, or military history? Dive into a rich world of religious, cultural, and social developments, and understand how a tiny minority not only survived centuries of sometimes hostile environments but even found places for incredible flourishing and creativity. We’ll trace Jewish history from medieval Spain to early modern Poland to the 21st-century U.S. and Israel on a journey with moments of both joy and tragedy.

This course has no prerequisites.

Fulfills University Studies cluster requirement: Global Perspectives. 

JST 325U Unveiling Ancient Texts
INSTRUCTOR: Loren Spielman
DAYS / TIMES: Tuesday / Thursday, 11:00 - 12:40 PM

Do you remember reading in the Bible about the time that Abraham smashed the idols in his father’s temple? Or when the angels cheered as Pharaoh’s army drowned in the Sea of Reeds? What about when Satan suggested to God that he ask Abraham to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice? Well… none of these things are actually in the Bible. But they are all stories that will be discussed in Professor Spielman’s class Unveiling Ancient Texts: Apocrypha and the Dead Sea Scrolls- a course which looks at the ways that ancient texts interpreted or retold some of the most popular stories from the Bible. Although none of these texts—like the Dead Sea Scrolls or other apocryphal or “hidden” writings—made their way into the official canon, the themes that they develop reverberate throughout history. Students are often surprised to learn how much of what they know about Biblical characters has been shaped by texts and traditions from outside the Biblical canon. 

JST 336U / WS 336U Gender and Judaism
INSTRUCTOR: Nina Spiegel 
LOCATION: Online

Have you ever wondered what Judaism has to say about gender? What are Jewish attitudes and ideas about gender? This course explores a variety of topics including religious and spiritual life, religious leadership, sexuality, life cycle events, new rituals, images of parenting and varieties of pathways to becoming a parent. Throughout, the course will examine a range of experiences, choices and dilemmas related to gender in contemporary Jewish life, including experiences of Jews from different denominations and locations around the globe, Jews of color, and LGBTQ and nonbinary Jews.

Note: this course takes place fully online. No prerequisites are required.

Fulfills a requirement for University Studies cluster: Gender and Sexualities

HUM 299 Exploring Careers in the Humanities  (two-credit course)
INSTRUCTOR: Nina Spiegel
DAYS / TIMES: Tuesday 9:00 AM - 10:40 AM
MODE/ LOCATION: In Person (location sent to registrants)

Have you ever been asked, “What can you do with a humanities degree?” This course helps you find your answer by exploring the many career paths open to humanities* majors. Through interactive workshops and conversations with local professionals from different fields, you’ll learn how to turn your creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills into marketable career qualifications. By the end of the course, you’ll have practical tools, strategies, and confidence to shape your next steps and use your degree as your greatest professional strength.

Exploring Careers in the Humanities is a two-credit course.

* The humanities refers to academic disciplines that study the human experience, culture, and expression. At PSU, humanities departments include English, History, Philosophy, Judaic Studies, World Languages and Literatures,  Liberal Studies, Arts and Letters, Communications, Black Studies, Chicanx/Latinx Studies, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

HST 299 | Antisemitism 
INSTRUCTOR: Professor Natan Meir
MODE: Online

We’ve heard a lot about antisemitism recently. But what is antisemitism, anyway? This one-credit, asynchronous, self-paced mini-course will introduce students to antisemitism (Jew-hatred). You’ll explore the following topics: (1) Who are the Jews? (2) How does antisemitism function? (3) What is the relationship between antisemitism and other forms of racism? (4) How do we recognize antisemitism in the world around us? Class materials will include short readings, videos, and podcasts.

Note #1: This course is tuition-free. Students are not required to pay for this credit.

Note #2: Students who have already taken JST/HST372 History of Antisemitism are not eligible to take this course.