Jewish Studies Winter 2025

Winter Online Seminar Courses | Make your selection by November 1, 2024

Dear Jewish Studies Students:

This winter, gather online with colleagues from across North America and beyond for two engaging courses in our Winter Seminar.

Taught by two of our acclaimed veteran faculty members, these courses fulfill core requirements for both Master’s and Doctoral-level students. They also provide opportunities for connection, discussion, and deep learning with peers with varied backgrounds and areas of expertise.

Registration is now open. If you have questions or would like to discuss your choice of winter courses, please email Scarlett Andes, Manager of Student & Faculty Services, at sandes@spertus.edu.

Sincerely,

Dr. Keren E. Fraiman
Dean & Chief Academic Officer
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

Please note that the preferred registration deadline is November 1, and the final registration deadline is November 18.

Winter 2025 | Online Seminar Format | January 12-16, 2025

Reading the Bible

Taught by Rabbi Dr. Vernon Kurtz
Course 4219 | 3 quarter-hour credits
Fulfills MAJS Elective or 2nd Level Core, DSJS Text or Elective, and DHL Text

Seminar Morning Course
9 AM-1 PM CT each day | Meets via Zoom

The Bible is the basis of the tradition of monotheism as well as the main avenue by which Jewish ethics and teachings entered Western civilization. In this course, we will examine different methods of reading the Bible, including inner-biblical interpretation, Midrashic readings, New Testament sources, Philo, and medieval commentaries.

We will also study modern theories of Biblical interpretation, such as source criticism, the historical-critical method, literary approaches, and feminist readings of the text. Using our knowledge, we will then read a number of Biblical passages including Cain murdering Abel, Jacob’s dream and struggle with the angel, Moses hitting the rock, and the concept of kingship in the Book of Samuel and the Book of Jonah as examples of how the Bible has remained relevant throughout the ages.

What Is Judaism? An Introduction to Jewish Thought from the Enlightenment to Today

Taught by Rabbi Dr. Scott Aaron
Course 5505 | 3 quarter-hour credits
Fulfills MAJS Elective or 2nd Level Core, DSJS Core (What Is Judaism?) and DHL Core (Jewish Thought)

Seminar Afternoon Course
2 PM-6 PM CT each day | Meets via Zoom

Explore the evolution of Jewish thought in a changing world from Spinoza to the present. In this overview course, we will focus on key thinkers from each century and touch on theology, nationalism, Zionism, eschatology, denominationalism, and other areas of philosophical development both in the light of and in opposition to the Enlightenment and the modern world.

Course Registration Details

Course registration is for current Spertus Institute Jewish Studies students. Please review course details before completing your registration.

Before registering for courses, students must be admitted to one of Spertus Institute’s Jewish Studies graduate programs — or be accepted as a non-degree student who meets prerequisite requirements and wishes to enroll in courses for credit. If you are interested in applying to become a Spertus Jewish Studies graduate student, please contact Amie Barrish at abarrish@spertus.edu.

November 1, 2024 — Preferred Registration Deadline
November 18, 2024 — Final Registration Deadline

Course Payment

Spertus Institute welcomes course registration from students with accounts in good standing. This means:

• Student’s unpaid account balance is less than $2,500 (roughly two courses).
• The most recent payments on past due balances are within the last six months.

Students who do not meet these criteria will need to pay down their balance prior to registering for any additional courses.

Course Costs

For MA in Jewish Studies (MAJS) Students
$400 per quarter-hour credit ($1200 per 3qh course)

For DS in Jewish Studies (DSJS) and Doctor of Hebrew Letters (DHL) Students
$475 per quarter-hour credit ($1425 per 3qh course)

A non-refundable $25 fee is charged on all course registration forms.

Refund policies vary by course format. Please review the specific policy listed on your course registration form.

Course auditing can be arranged on a select basis with approval from the Dean. Audited course tuition is $350 per 3qh course.

Questions

For questions relating to Jewish Studies courses or registration, including which course to register for next, please contact Scarlett Andes at sandes@spertus.edu.

Image at top: Synagogue Yegia-Kapai, Yevpatoria, Crimea.