Institute for the Study of Modern Israel
of Emory University

1256 Briarcliff Road A-427N Atlanta, GA 30306    404.727.2798 tel    404.727.2441 fax

FALL 2008

HIST 385: History of Israeli Politics: Institutions & Society
Doron Shultziner, Visiting Professor, Lincoln College, Oxford University
Cross-listings: POLS 385/JS 371/MESAS 370)

This course explores the Israeli political system, its institutional characteristics and components, and its main political dilemmas. The course aims to provide knowledge about Israeli political history and society. Topics included will be the origins and the historical developments of the political system, electoral histories, and government formation. Attention is given to the dynamics between institutional arrangements and social cleavages in Israel and their interrelated effects. The course also discusses some of the main socio-political issues and tensions resulting from the dual definition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, religion and politics, and the effects of armed conflicts on politics and society. The course requires no previous knowledge about Israel.

HIST 385-006: The Making of the U.S.-Israeli Relationship
(Same as: JS 371-003/POLS 385-004)
David Tal, Visiting Professor
MWF  12:50-1:40

The course will deal with the buildup and development of the Israeli-American relationship from the 1940s to the present. The course will describe the historical roots of the American support to the Zionist idea in the 19th century, the transfer of the Jewish diplomatic center from Britain to the US, the ideological roots of the US support of Israel and its extent, beyond the security dimension and the mutuality of those relationship, that is, the Israeli input in the creation of the Israeli-American special relations.

HIST 489SWR-002/585-002: Issues in Israeli National Security
(Same as: JS 490SWR-001/POLS 490SWR-005)
David Tal, Visiting Professor
Mondays 4-6

National security is a prime issue in Israel, and it was so since it existence. Being established in war, leaving in hostile environment, Israel had to deal with issues pertaining to its national security with the highest priority. The course will focus on several issues pertaining to Israel’s national security, bringing together military, diplomatic and social issues. We’ll study the ideas that provided the basis for the development of Israel’s national security policy, build up of the IDF and the development of military strategy that were aimed to accomplish the goals of Israel’s national security policy; the role of diplomacy in the shaping and conduct of Israel’s national security policy; the pursuit of peace and the conduct of wars; military–civic relations in Israel; Israel and the non-conventional threats, nuclear and low-intensity conflicts.

HEBR 101: Elementary Modern Hebrew I
Kreitman: MWF 11:45-12:35, Tu 11:30-12:45
Kreitman: MWF 12:50-1:40, Tu 1:00-2:15
Kadosh: MWF 2:00-2:50, Tu 2:30-3:45

The purpose of this course is to provide a solid foundation and develop basic oral and writing skills in Hebrew. The course is designed for students with no previous exposure to Hebrew and for students who have had a limited experience in the language. Class activities include reading, writing, oral drills, short oral presentations, simulated situations, etc. that enable students to practice all communication skills while learning about Israeli culture. 

HEBR 201: Intermediate Modern Hebrew
Kadosh: MWF 12:50-1:40, Tu 1:00-2:15

Hebrew 201 is a continuation of Hebrew 102 on a more advanced level. At the beginning of the course there is an in-depth review of the verb system. The vocabulary and texts introduced in this course are more sophisticated than the material of the first year. Much emphasis is placed on speaking and creative writing. The course is a good preparation for students planning to study on a college level in Israel. 

HEBR 301: Advanced Modern Hebrew
Yeglin: Tu,Th 11:30-12:45

The course continues to develop skills acquired in first and second year courses and concentrates on more complicated grammatical forms, written and oral expressions, comprehension and advanced texts, as well as exposure to Israeli culture.

HEBR 479R: Supervised Reading in Hebrew
Kreitman

For advanced students who have completed HEBR 302 and wish to pursue independent study and research of Hebrew texts.

SPRING 2009

HIST 190: Modern Israel
(Freshmen Seminar)
Kenneth Stein

This undergraduate freshmen seminar will review the history of modern Israel from the inception of Zionism to the present. The four periods of study will be the ideological formations (to 1917), Zionist autonomy in Palestine and nation-building (to 1949), the problems and successes of sovereignty (to 1977), and the quest for identity and normalization (to the present). Issues to be discussed will include the structure of the old and new Yishuv, immigrations to Eretz Yisrael, British rule in Palestine, relationships with the great powers, sociological associations and cleavages, Israel-Diaspora relations, American Jewry and Israel, religion and state policy interaction, the political and economic systems, constitutional issues, Arab-Israeli wars, American-Israeli relations, the negotiating process, and the quest for recognition from Arab neighbors. Several guest speakers will participate in the class.

HIST 370/585: History of Modern Israel
(For advanced undergraduate and graduate students)
Kenneth Stein

Using primary source materials, memoirs, and diplomatic correspondence, this upper level lecture course reviews the origins of Zionism and continues through Israel's sixtieth anniversary. In this highly interactive course, we shall follow chronological and thematic benchmarks highlighting the ideological, sociological, diplomatic, and political foundations of Israel to 1948 and up to today. Israeli history, society, economy, culture, and politics will be evaluated. Special emphases will be placed on the period between World War I and the end of Israel's independence war, and on Israel's quest for recognition in the Middle East. How did Israel change the nature of Jewish identity and Middle Eastern history? Explicating the key turning points in Arab-Israeli negotiations, analyzing Israel's political development, and evaluating Israel's societal issues, will round out the course.

HIST/POLS: The History of Israeli Foreign Policy
David Tal, Visiting Professor

This course will concentrate on Israel's diplomatic history. It will discuss Israel international orientation in the 1950s', the role of the diplomats in the pursuit of security alliance with a great power, first with France and later with the United States; the search for peace and the diplomats role in the preparation to war, before and after the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars; and the role of diplomacy throughout the Israeli- Palestinian rapprochement and conflict.

HIST/JS/POLS: The Great Powers in the Middle East, 1914- Present
David Tal, Visiting Professor

This course will deal with the creation of the Middle East in its present form, with the entry of the Great Powers to the region after the First World War. It will discuss the rise of the British influence in the region and its decline in the aftermath of the second world war, the rise of Arab nationalism, as a counter force and the growing role and influence of the United States in the area, the turning of the Middle East into a great powers' Cold War battle field, and the role of the decolonization movement in the changing face of the Middle East.

HIST/POLS:Contemporary Issues in Israeli Politics
Doron Shultziner, Visiting Professor, Lincoln College, Oxford University

This colloquium looks at developments in Israeli politics, society and constitutional arrangements from the 1990s until present day. The main topics that will be covered in the course are the changing agenda and nature of the Israeli politics, the role of the Israeli Supreme Court in shaping political realities, new dimensions of political extremism, gender politics, and interest groups. A relevant historic review about each topic will precede each topic and will provide understanding of Israeli politics, society and law along specific topics. No previous knowledge of Israel is required.