ISR 5005 Israel Seminar
The seminar explores the changing nature of Israeli society from its pre-state emphasis on the molding of the new Jew to the contemporary reality of competing ideational-cultural voices. After examining notions of the New Jew and statism as the civil religion of Israel, the course focuses upon the various voices in Israeli society and their attempt to shape Israel in their own image. The course then examines the interaction between these voices and the struggle to find a modus-vivendi between them. The seminar includes lectures, museum visits, and the use of film, music and literature.