Literature Courses

Reflection on the Other: The Jew in Arabic Literature, The Arab in Hebrew Literature (AME 126a/226a): 

Description: The course intends to elaborate on how literary works outside the realm of western culture struggle with such basic questions as identity, minority, and the issue of "the other."  The primary focus of the course will revolve around how the Arab is viewed in Hebrew literature and how the Jew is viewed in Arabic literature but in order to give the students the necessary tools for an in-depth analysis of the literary text the course will also include a discussion of relevant issues in Arab culture and Jewish(Israeli)culture. (Barhoum, Shemtov) 4 units

From Agnon to Yehoshua and Oz (AME 172/272): 

Critical study of selected stories and novels by S. Y. Agnon, A.B Yehoshua and Amos Oz. Readings will be in Hebrew and English and the discussions will be in Hebrew. Emphasis on giving students the skills necessary for for further independent reading (Shemtov) 1-4 units.

AME 132/232: Reading Hebrew Literature: An Introduction (Not offered 2005-2006)

The fundamental skills and concepts needed to read literature in Hebrew, strengthening language skills with an introduction to the major periods and the major questions in secular Hebrew literature from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century. For intermediate and advanced students.

AME 127/227: Land and Literature (Not Offered 2005-2006)

Israel had captured the imagination of writers throughout the generations. It has been portrayed as a promised land, a holy land, a homeland, an empty land, an occupied land, and as a land of dreams. In this course we will investigate how ideological views and political events have shaped writers' conception of the place. We will read a selection of poems and prose by Hebrew/Israeli authors (in translation) and study relevant theoretical texts about place and literature.

For more details check the Land and Literature page. For syllabus, course material, schedule and other information go to: coursework.stanford.edu and search for AME 127.

AMELANG 171. The Bible in Modern Hebrew Literature—

The role of biblical myths in shaping Israeli identity and the development of a secular Hebrew literature. Readings include modern Hebrew poems and novels which offer new meanings to the stories of Genesis, Exodus, David, and the Song of Songs and make them relevant to the context of modern and postmodern Israeli culture. Readings in Hebrew and English. Prerequisite: intermediate Hebrew. 3-4 units, Spr (Shemtov, V)

AMELANG 173. Politics and Poetics in Israeli Literature: Politics and Poetics in Israeli Literature: Amos Oz and other Contemporary Hebrew Writers

Offered in conjunction with Amos Oz’s visit as Stanford’s Writer in Residence. Literature and political essays by Oz and contemporary Hebrew authors who address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Approaches that deal with the intersection of theory and practice and politics and poetics in Israeli literature. No knowledge of Hebrew required. GER EC-GlobalCom 4-5 units, Win (Shemtov)

AMELANG 174. East West East in Israeli Literature: The Novels of Yoel Hoffman

Influence of Eastern and Western philosophies and Jew- ish writings on Israeli literature. Focus is on the works of Yoel Hoffman and other contemporary writers. Texts in Hebrew and English. Prerequisite: advanced Hebrew. 2-4 units, Aut (Albeck-Gidron)

Offered through other departments:

COMPLIT 243. Literature and History in the Israeli Novel

In what modes and to what effects does literature engage with history? How did major Israeli writers after the establishment of the state of Israel discuss the recent past including the Holocaust, the birth of the Palestinian refugee problem, and the Arab-Israeli wars? Readings include Agnon, Yishar, Yehoshua, Oz, Grossman, Castel-Bloom, Govrin, Gutfreund, and literary theory about history and literature, Israeli historiography, cultural-political discourse, and post-Zionism. 3-5 units, Spr (Eshel, A)

DRAMA 156M. Israeli Film and Theater, 1948-2006) 

 The representation of dramatic conflict  and  identity in a society that lives through daily political strife and struggles  to define its identity. Themes include the  performance  of gender in   a militarized society, tensions between religion and secularity, and issues of multiculturality. GER:DB-Hum 5 units, Aut (Arad, M)