Jewish Literature: Biblical to Modern
Please note: students may sign up for this course under the prefix MELC, GLITS, ENGL, or JEW ST. It is the same course! If you have any questions about how the credits may count toward a major or minor in MELC, in English, in Jewish Studies, or in Slavic, please speak with the advisors in Humanities Academic Services. Note: some prefixes/course numbers offer DIV credit and others do not. NO PREREQUISITES!
Spring 2026 – TTh 11:30-1:20
5 credits
ENGL 312a AH and DIV; GLITS 311 AH; JEW ST 312a AH, DIV, SSc; MELC 310 AH
Prof. Naomi Sokoloff
220 Denny Hall
Office Hours: Wednesday 11:-12:30 or by appointment
Course Description:
From the Hebrew Bible to the Hogwarts Haggadah, from the traditional prayer book to today's feminist poetry, Jewish literature presents endless commentary on foundational texts. New stages of writing reinterpret, alter, illuminate, and/or develop what they receive from the past. This course provides an overview of 3000 years of literary history and considers texts from a wide variety of genres, including scripture, Midrash, medieval poetry, Hasidic tale, modern fiction, television satire, popular music lyrics, and more.
All readings will be in English, but the course will include material from the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and America, composed originally in Hebrew, Aramaic, Yiddish, Ladino, and Italian, as well as English. No Prerequisites!
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course students are expected a) to have acquired a basic knowledge of major genres of Jewish literature, from antiquity till today, and to be able to identify important features of classical sources such as Bible, Talmud, Midrash, Prayer Books, Haggadah, Medieval poetry, and Hasidic Tale; b) to have examined a range of modern Jewish texts and to understand how they respond to earlier sources through debate, allusion, adaptation to new genres and media, and other artistic reinterpretation; c) to have considered diversity within Jewish cultures and Jewish experiences as a minority culture and as a majority culture; d) to have discussed how women’s voices, which for centuries were mostly excluded from Jewish writing, have become tremendous creative forces in 20th and 21st century writing; e) in the course of discussing sacred and secular writing, to have encountered continuity and discontinuity in themes that span millennia: for example, prayer, from traditional sources to contemporary innovation; response to persecution and catastrophe, from the ancient world and medieval times till the Nazi Holocaust; covenant and freedom, from the Book of Exodus to the 20th century civil rights movement.
Requirements
All required readings will be available on the course website.
Students are expected to complete required readings and to participate regularly in class. Participation may include discussions, in-class writing exercises, and group activities. Other assignments will include four short quizzes (the first is a syllabus quiz - to make sure students have read and understood course requirements), 1 oral exam, and a class presentation, plus brief written homework or discussion board posts on Canvas. No final exam. Final grades will be determined as follows:
- 4 quizzes 30%
- Homework + Discussions on Canvas 10%
- Participation in class 10%
- 1 oral exam 30%
- 1 class presentation 20%
This is a “W” optional course. W credit requires significant amounts of writing, editing, and revision. Students taking this option will write an essay (1250-1500 words), and they are required to identify the essay topic early in the quarter, identify secondary sources in consultation with the instructor, launch the project with an outline or opening paragraph, receive feedback on early drafts, make revisions, and then complete a rewritten, final draft that polishes the prose.
There will be several optional assignments for extra credit.
Grading scale:
98-100 = 4.0
96-97 = 3.9
94-95 = 3.8
92-93 = 3.7
91 = 3.6
90 = 3.5
89 = 3.4
88 =3.3 etc.
POLICIES:
Academic Concerns and Incompletes
Per FERPA rules, I cannot discuss grades via email. Please make an appointment to talk in my office or via Zoom if you have concerns.
Incompletes will be awarded only in accordance with UW policy on Incompletes
There will be no make-up quizzes. Students who miss a quiz at the scheduled time, because of illness, other hardship, or a religious holiday may complete an alternative assignment designated by the instructor. That assignment will not receive a grade but it will prevent the quiz grade from becoming a zero.
For missed in-class activities and homework assignments: When calculating final grades, the lowest grade will drop automatically. If you must miss more than one class session because of illness, other hardship, or a religious holiday: you may complete an alternative assignment. That assignment will not receive a grade but it will prevent the in-class or homework grade for that date from becoming a zero. As a general rule, the make-up assignments will be more challenging than coming to class. Assume a written quiz and/or oral exam on the topic missed (as designated by the instructor), to be completed in person during office hours. It is the student's responsibility to communicate clearly and as promptly as possible with the instructor to arrange the alternative assignment.
Assignments submitted on Canvas have due dates and closing dates. Work should be submitted by the due date. Work that comes in late will lose points, as designated in the assignment instructions. Work cannot be submitted after the closing date.
Please keep a copy of all graded work. This is very useful in case the instructor’s record of grades is lost or damaged, or in case the student wishes to discuss a grade. Protect yourself by keeping a copy.
The instructor may add or subtract some reading assignments from the syllabus during the quarter.
About the use of Copilot, ChatGPT, and/or other AI
In this course, students are permitted to use AI-based tools (such as UW Copoilot with Commerical Data Protection) on some assignments. The instructions for each assignment will include information about whether and how you may use AI-based tools to complete the assignment. All sources, including AI tools, must be properly cited. Use of AI in ways that are inconsistent with the parameters above will be considered academic misconduct and subject to investigation.
Please note that AI results can be biased and inaccurate. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information you use from AI is accurate. Additionally, pay attention to the privacy of your data. Many AI tools will incorporate and use any content you share, so be careful not to unintentionally share copyrighted materials, original work, or personal information.
Learning how to thoughtfully and strategically use AI-based tools may help you develop your skills, refine your work, and prepare you for your future career. If you have any questions about citation or about what constitutes academic integrity in this course or at the University of Washington, please feel free to contact me to discuss your concerns.
[This policy wording on AI is used in accordance with UW guidelines found at https://teaching.washington.edu/course-design/ai/sample-ai-syllabus-statements/]
Access and Accommodations
This course is open to all UW students. The MELC Department welcomes you and your pronouns.
Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. Consult the UW policy on religious accommodations for more information, including guidance on how to request an accommodation.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course.
I try to respond promptly to email from students, but I may not reply immediately. You may expect a response to take up to four or five days.
Disability
Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.
If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 (voice and relay) or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu.
DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions. Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. More information is available at Disability Resources for Students
FYI: UW instructors are working toward digital accessibility in accordance with ADA requirements. If any materials on this Canvas site are not accessible to you, please consult me so that we can figure out what steps to take.
Student Conduct
The University of Washington Student Conduct Code (WAC 478-121) defines prohibited academic and behavioral conduct and describes how the University holds students accountable as they pursue their academic goals. Allegations of misconduct by students may be referred to the appropriate campus office for investigation and resolution. More information can be found online on the UW Community Standards and Student Conduct site.
In cases of academic misconduct, such as plagiarism or receiving inappropriate assistance on an assignment, offending students will be penalized in accordance with the policy of the College of Arts and Sciences. If you are unsure what constitutes plagiarism or how to properly attribute credit to source materials, consult with the instructor.
For additional guidelines on academic integrity, Incompletes, grade appeal, concerns about an instructor, equal opportunity, disability accommodations, absences due to religious observances, sexual harassment, safety, and more, see these resources from the Office of the Registrar
Health and Well-being
The UW Food Pantry
A student should never have to make the choice between buying food or textbooks. The UW Food Pantry helps mitigate the social and academic effects of campus food insecurity. We aim to lessen the financial burden of purchasing food by providing students with access to food and hygiene products at no-cost. Students can expect to receive 4 to 5 days’ worth of supplemental food support when they visit the Pantry. For information including operating hours, location, and additional food support resources visit Any Hungry Husky . The Food Pantry can be found on the North side of West Campus’ Poplar Hall at the corner of Brooklyn Ave NE and 41st.
Self-care
It is important that we take care of ourselves inside and outside of class by learning how to care for our body, mind and spirit. Toward that end, there are many different kinds of support services on campus, including the Counseling Center, Hall Health, and the IMA. If you are concerned about yourself or a friend who is struggling, Safecampus, at 1-800-685-7233, is a very helpful resources to learn more about how to access campus-based support services. Please save the number for Safecampus, 1-800-685-7233, into your cell phones.
Attendance and class participation are important to the learning process. However, if you have symptoms of contagious illness – such as sniffles, sneezes, a cough, a sore throat, or a fever – please do not come to class.
For information about medical services and mental health support at UW, consult the health and well-being site.
Course Concerns and Additional Notes
if you have any concerns about the class, try to resolve them first with your classroom instructor. If the matter is not resolved that way, you may turn to the Chair of the Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures. If the matter is not resolved that way, there are other resources available to students to resolve complaints or grievances, including
- Humanities Academic Services
- Bias Reporting Links to an external site.
- The Office of the Ombud Links to an external site.
- Disability Resources Links to an external site.
By enrolling in this class, you make a commitment to regular and consistent class participation. Continued enrollment signifies that you have received a copy of this syllabus and that you have been notified of the requirements, examination schedule, and grading policies for the course.The instructor reserves the right to revise this syllabus at any time during the quarter. Students will be informed of the changes.