Jews in US History: 1654-present ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This student will examine the history of Jews in the United States of America from 1654 to roughly the present day. This student will examine the history of Jews in the United States of America from 1654 to roughly the present day. The student will gain an understanding of the major events of this history, with a focus on comprehending the changing nature of Jewish immigration-as the population changed from being predominantly Western European very early on to Central European by the mid-19th century and, after 1880, to East European. The student will gain an understanding of the matters of identity and assimilation for American Jews, both in terms of religious observance and cultural practices. This course, in studying the history of Jews in the U.S., who have faced significant discrimination on the basis of who they are, will address social justice issues, including race, class, and gender, as well as explore matters of intersectionality so that students gain an understanding of how overlapping forms of identity-based discrimination interact with one another.