HIST 39 – Jews in the Modern World
Semester: Fall
Offered: 2025
Instructor: Derek Penslar
Meeting Time: M, W 9:00am – 10:15am
A survey of Jewish history over the past three hundred years. The course presents Jews as members of a world civilization that has constantly interacted with, shaped, and been shaped by other civilizations. We focus on three major geographic centers of modern Jewish life: the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and North America. Topics to be covered include: the impact of modernity on Jewish society; the transformation of Judaism and the formation of secular Jewish identities; new forms of antisemitism; the Holocaust, modern Jewish political movements; and the state of Israel.
Course Notes: This course meets the “Beyond North America” History Concentration requirement. Former course number “HIST 1017.” This class requires students to enroll in an untimed, placeholder section during registration and to submit time preferences. Sections will be assigned immediately after registration based on student interest and preferences. Discussion TBA.
For more details please visit the Harvard Course Catalog.