Land-Identity-Nation: An Introduction to Israeli Literature

Catalog description

This course explores Israeli literature from the establishment of the state in 1948 to the present day. We will examine the evolution of Hebrew literary production as it encountered the Mediterranean landscape and developed into a vehicle of vernacular literary expression. Topics include secular cultural expression and religious tradition; gender and ethnicity; political ideology and its discontents. Alongside primary literary sources in translation we will read background sources about Israeli history and culture, and critical readings about literature theory. Students will master basic introductory materials relating to Israeli history and culture, with attention to how literature has served as a platform that both shapes and reflects national identity formation. Students will also gain sensitivity and facility in analyzing specific elements of literary form, especially as related to genre, voice and narrative. Offered as JWST 285 and WLIT 285 . Counts as a Communication Intensive course. Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course. Counts as a Understanding Global Perspectives course.