Fall 2018 Courses
War in the Middle East
Political Science 124B
Prof. Ron Hassner, Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies, UC Berkeley
This class begins with a historical overview of war in the region. The second part of the class introduces theories that complement and elaborate on theories from PS124A: arguments about the relationship between war and resources, religion, authoritarianism, civil military relations, territorial disputes, sovereignty, and power. In the third part of the course, we will explore current policy concerns related to conflict in the region: Nuclear proliferation, terrorism, the civil war in Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drone warfare, and the U.S. role in the region.
Topics in the Israeli Economy
Economics 196
Itai Ater
This course introduces contemporary economic policy debates focusing on the Israeli economy. In the first part of the class we will discuss the main policy challenges facing the Israeli Economy in 2019, including the labor productivity, the start-up nation and economic growth. We will go over the economic history of Israel, starting with its foundation in 1948, the economic crisis in 1985 and later the impact of globalization, immigration and the hi-tech industry. In the second part of the course we will focus on microeconomic and social challenges facing the Israeli economy, such as fertility, immigration, discrimination, kibbutzes and competition. The lectures will make use of both economic theory and empirical findings to better understand these policy debates.
Introduction to Jewish Mysticism
Jewish Studies 122
Prof. Tomer Persico, Tel Aviv University; Hartman Institute
This Course shall study the divergent forms of Judaism in Israel Since the 1990’s, apprehending the ideological and social fluctuations each stream has experienced over the last three decades as it parted from its previous formulations, and noting the way every major expression of Judaism in Israel at this time is in the midst of an identity crisis. It will also examine the tense relations between religion and state in Israel, analyzing the clashes and concurrences between different Israeli-Jewish identities and explaining Religious Jewish radicalism on the one hand, and the secular/spiritual “Jewish Renaissance” on the other.
Law and Society in Israel: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Law 298
Prof. Amnon Reichman, University of Haifa Faculty of Law
We will follow debates regarding constitutional design (including separation of powers, judicial review and judicial independence), equal protection of rights (of national, ethnic, and religious minorities), gender discrimination, free speech, social and economic rights, state and religion, the use of force and attempts to address political corruption. We will discuss each of these issues in the abstract, surveying the main theoretical frameworks of analysis and evaluation, and then employ the generalized notions to the case of Israel. We will read together closely at least one representative case dealing with each of the above mentioned topics, with the intention that by the end of the course participants will have a usable understanding of the main issues tackled by the Israeli Society, the manner through which they are dealt, and the respective legal and social implications. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between legal doctrine and social, economic and political factors. The class should therefore be of interest both to those with a specific interest in Israeli constitutional politics, as well as to those seeking an in-depth examination of central issues in constitutional theory.
Spring 2019 Courses
Comparative Constitutional Law: The Case of Israel
Legal Studies 174
Prof. Amnon Reichman, University of Haifa Faculty of Law
This course will provide an introduction to constitutional law using Israel as a case study. Topics include: Constitutionalism and judicial review, state neutrality and self-determination, minority rights, state and religion, Human Rights Law, the concept of “defensive democracy” and ban of non-democratic political parties, legal aspects of the fight on terror, freedom of expression, equality and anti-discrimination, social rights, and constitutional limitations on privatization.
Economic Policy: Israel as a Case Study (Economics 196)
Itai Ater
This course introduces contemporary economic policy debates focusing on the Israeli economy. In the first part of the class we will discuss the main policy challenges facing the Israeli Economy in 2019, including the labor productivity, the start-up nation and economic growth. We will go over the economic history of Israel, starting with its foundation in 1948, the economic crisis in 1985 and later the impact of globalization, immigration and the hi-tech industry. In the second part of the course we will focus on microeconomic and social challenges facing the Israeli economy, such as fertility, immigration, discrimination, kibbutzes and competition. The lectures will make use of both economic theory and empirical findings to better understand these policy debates.
Contemporary Judaism in Israel
Jewish Studies 122
Prof. Tomer Persico, Tel Aviv University; Hartman Institute
This Course shall study the divergent forms of Judaism in Israel Since the 1990’s, apprehending the ideological and social fluctuations each stream has experienced over the last three decades as it parted from its previous formulations, and noting the way every major expression of Judaism in Israel at this time is in the midst of an identity crisis. It will also examine the tense relations between religion and state in Israel, analyzing the clashes and concurrences between different Israeli-Jewish identities and explaining Religious Jewish radicalism on the one hand, and the secular/spiritual “Jewish Renaissance” on the other.
Law and Society in Israel: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives
Law 298
Prof. Amnon Reichman, University of Haifa Faculty of Law
We will follow debates regarding constitutional design (including separation of powers, judicial review and judicial independence), equal protection of rights (of national, ethnic, and religious minorities), gender discrimination, free speech, social and economic rights, state and religion, the use of force and attempts to address political corruption. We will discuss each of these issues in the abstract, surveying the main theoretical frameworks of analysis and evaluation, and then employ the generalized notions to the case of Israel. We will read together closely at least one representative case dealing with each of the above mentioned topics, with the intention that by the end of the course participants will have a usable understanding of the main issues tackled by the Israeli Society, the manner through which they are dealt, and the respective legal and social implications. Emphasis will be placed on the relationship between legal doctrine and social, economic and political factors. The class should therefore be of interest both to those with a specific interest in Israeli constitutional politics, as well as to those seeking an in-depth examination of central issues in constitutional theory.