Between Eastern and Western Civilizations: Jewish culture in comparative context Online Course Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology Through a study of Jewish culture from a Chinese perspective, this online course will broadly compare East and West through the lens of (1) Judaism as a component of the Judeo-Christian tradition that stands at the core of Western Civilization and (2) in comparison with the fundamentals of traditional Chinese thought as embodied in the Confucian classical texts. The class will meet over Zoom 15 times, each time for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Students will earn 3 academic credits, awarded by Yeshiva University. In addition to the academic content of the course, students will be guided by our faculty in specialized academic English research and writing workshops. This will enable them to write an academic research paper that will be published online by Yeshiva University at the conclusion of the course. Although the precise content of the course will be tailored to the needs of each student cohort (see below), it will typically include lectures on the following topics:Introduction: What is Jewish culture? Where does it fit into Western culture? How does it compare to Chinese culture?Fundamental Jewish beliefs and customs. What makes Jews unique in Western civilization?Comparing Judaism and Christianity. What is the Judeo-Christian tradition?Ancient Jewish history—within the Western world, in comparison to Chinese historyModern Jewish history—intersections with European, American and Chinese historyThe role played by Jews in the development of the modern world—Spinoza, Marx, Freud, Einstein, KissingerClassical Jewish texts—Bible, Talmud, Kabbalah. Comparison with Chinese classical textsJewish concepts of family and relationships. How do those compare with those in Chinese culture—historically and in modern times?How do Jewish and Chinese traditions meet the challenges of modernity?Jewish involvement in business: banking, real estate, NBA, technological innovationClimate change and human societyFuture Civilization: Artificial IntelligenceAmong the questions to be discussed in the course:How does the core American value of personal liberty compare with the Jewish value of personal responsibility to family and community? Is Judaism closer to Chinese philosophy in this respect?How does Jewish culture deal with feminism and its values? How does the career of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reflect this productive tension?How does the Talmudic style of learning manifest itself in Jewish creativity?To Whom Will This Course Be Useful?Two separate sections of this course will be offered:• A graduate level course open to current university students and graduates• An undergraduate course open to qualified high school studentsUniversity Students and GraduatesThis course will benefit Chinese university students and graduates in the fields of international studies, world philosophy, religion, and Middle Eastern studies. It will include workshops on academic English (by an experienced ESL teacher) and methodology of scholarly research and writing. The course will require a research paper in English that will be published in the CJC online journal, Chinese-Jewish Conversations. In addition to receiving a transcript with 3 academic (graduate) credits and a letter grade (A, B, C), students will be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from Dean Cohen or Professor Huang.This will be especially useful to Chinese university students seeking to establish an academic record in the US in order to apply to American universities for graduate school.High School StudentsThe course is designed for Chinese high school students seeking to better understand world cultures through a comparative study of Jewish, Western, and Chinese history, philosophy and ways of life. It will include workshops on academic English (by an experienced ESL teacher) and methodology of scholarly research and writing. The course will require a research paper in English that will be published in the CJC online journal, Chinese-Jewish Conversations. In addition to receiving a transcript with 3 academic (undergraduate) credits and a letter grade (A, B, C), students will be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from Dean Cohen or Professor Huang. This will be especially useful to Chinese high school students seeking to establish an academic record in the US in order to apply to American universities for college.InstructorsProfessor Mordechai Z. Cohen, Associate Dean of the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and Director of the Chinese-Jewish ConversationProfessor He (Henry) Huang, distinguished Professor of Accounting and the Director of the Syms Masters of Science in Accounting Program at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. Ms Borong Zhang, MA in East Asian Studies, University of Toronto (2022); PhD candidate in Religious Studies, Indiana University (currently)Ms Kedi He, MS in Education, University of Pennsylvania (2022), specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other LanguagesProfessor Cohen will be the main lecturer. Professor Huang will deliver lectures on business and technology. Ms Zhang will lecture on classical Chinese philosophy and provide a summary of each lecture in Chinese. Ms He will provide coaching in academic English vocabulary based on the lectures. In addition, Ms Zhang and Ms He will guide students in the skills necessary to write a publishable English academic paper.More about the InstructorsMordechai Cohen (BA in Philosophy and Math, Yeshiva University, 1987; MA in Comparative Literature Columbia University, 1989; PhD Yeshiva University, 1994), has taught at Yeshiva University since 1988 and has lectured at universities in Europe, Israel, and China. The areas of his scholarship are Jewish classical texts and thought from comparative perspectives—with Christianity, Islam, Western thought, and, most recently, Chinese philosophy and classicals texts. Among his publications are Three Approaches to Biblical Metaphor (Brill Academic Publishers 2003; 2nd edition 2008), Opening the Gates of Interpretation (Brill Academic Publishers 2011), The Rule of Peshat (University of Pennsylvania Press 2020), and Rashi, Biblical Interpretation, and Latin Learning (Cambridge University Press 2021). In 2010/11, Cohen directed a fourteen-member international research group at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies in Jerusalem that culminated in the publication of Interpreting Scriptures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Cambridge University Press 2016). Cohen has taught an annual summer seminar at the Shandong University Center for Judaic and Inter-religious studies in Jinan, China since 2016, and has participated in philosophical conferences in Beijing. Having learned Mandarin, Cohen developed a network of Chinese scholars worldwide interested in engaging with Jewish learning in comparison with Chinese tradition. Since 2018 Cohen has implemented this vision through the Chinese-Jewish Conversation at YU, which he directs. Since 2020 he has been working on an electronic book project titled 走进犹太文化, published in installments online at https://cjcyu.org/blog/ Together with Borong Zhang, he is currently working on a study entitled “Re-creating Canonical Texts through Commentary: Neo-Confucianism of the Song Dynasty and Medieval Jewish Bible Interpretation.”Dr. Henry Huang graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the Department of Law at Peking University. He is a distinguished Professor of Accounting and the Director of the Syms Masters of Science in Accounting Program at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. With a Ph.D. in accounting and law degrees from both the U.S. and China, Dr. Huang brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his teaching and research. His expertise encompasses international investment, accounting information systems, securities litigation, and entrepreneurial planning. Dr. Huang's research, widely cited by academic and professional circles, delves into the impact of external monitoring mechanisms on accounting practices and governance. He has an extensive publication record in leading journals, exploring topics ranging from climate change to cyber-security's value relevance. Prior to his tenure at Yeshiva University, Dr. Huang taught at esteemed institutions including the University of Houston and Butler University. His commitment to advancing knowledge in accounting and finance underscores his dedication to academic excellence and innovation.Borong Zhang is currently pursuing her PhD in Religious Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, with a specialization in Chinese thought and epistemology. Since 2021, she has held teaching assistantships in various Chinese literature and philosophy subjects at the University of Toronto. During this period, she designed a series of seminars to help undergraduates understand the breadth and depth of Chinese thought and the complex cultural connotations of China. Since 2020, Borong has been a major participant in academic research and writing at the CJC, leading her to a keen interest in exploring the comparative relationship between Chinese and Jewish cultures.Kedi He has been teaching English as a second language to a wide range of age groups since 2017. Drawing upon her pedagogic training and classroom experience, she effectively adjusts her teaching strategies to maximize the learning experiences diverse types of students on varying levels—from beginner to advanced. Furthermore, she is well acquainted with both the Chinese and American educational systems, and has devised innovative teaching methods that integrate the distinctive features of both, providing students with comprehensive English language skills. Full Program Breakdown Through a study of Jewish culture from a Chinese perspective, this online course will broadly compare East and West through the lens of (1) Judaism as a component of the Judeo-Christian tradition that stands at the core of Western Civilization and (2) in comparison with the fundamentals of traditional Chinese thought as embodied in the Confucian classical texts. The class will meet over Zoom 15 times, each time for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Students will earn 3 academic credits, awarded by Yeshiva University. In addition to the academic content of the course, students will be guided by our faculty in specialized academic English research and writing workshops. This will enable them to write an academic research paper that will be published online by Yeshiva University at the conclusion of the course. Although the precise content of the course will be tailored to the needs of each student cohort (see below), it will typically include lectures on the following topics:Introduction: What is Jewish culture? Where does it fit into Western culture? How does it compare to Chinese culture?Fundamental Jewish beliefs and customs. What makes Jews unique in Western civilization?Comparing Judaism and Christianity. What is the Judeo-Christian tradition?Ancient Jewish history—within the Western world, in comparison to Chinese historyModern Jewish history—intersections with European, American and Chinese historyThe role played by Jews in the development of the modern world—Spinoza, Marx, Freud, Einstein, KissingerClassical Jewish texts—Bible, Talmud, Kabbalah. Comparison with Chinese classical textsJewish concepts of family and relationships. How do those compare with those in Chinese culture—historically and in modern times?How do Jewish and Chinese traditions meet the challenges of modernity?Jewish involvement in business: banking, real estate, NBA, technological innovationClimate change and human societyFuture Civilization: Artificial IntelligenceAmong the questions to be discussed in the course:How does the core American value of personal liberty compare with the Jewish value of personal responsibility to family and community? Is Judaism closer to Chinese philosophy in this respect?How does Jewish culture deal with feminism and its values? How does the career of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reflect this productive tension?How does the Talmudic style of learning manifest itself in Jewish creativity?To Whom Will This Course Be Useful?Two separate sections of this course will be offered:• A graduate level course open to current university students and graduates• An undergraduate course open to qualified high school studentsUniversity Students and GraduatesThis course will benefit Chinese university students and graduates in the fields of international studies, world philosophy, religion, and Middle Eastern studies. It will include workshops on academic English (by an experienced ESL teacher) and methodology of scholarly research and writing. The course will require a research paper in English that will be published in the CJC online journal, Chinese-Jewish Conversations. In addition to receiving a transcript with 3 academic (graduate) credits and a letter grade (A, B, C), students will be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from Dean Cohen or Professor Huang.This will be especially useful to Chinese university students seeking to establish an academic record in the US in order to apply to American universities for graduate school.High School StudentsThe course is designed for Chinese high school students seeking to better understand world cultures through a comparative study of Jewish, Western, and Chinese history, philosophy and ways of life. It will include workshops on academic English (by an experienced ESL teacher) and methodology of scholarly research and writing. The course will require a research paper in English that will be published in the CJC online journal, Chinese-Jewish Conversations. In addition to receiving a transcript with 3 academic (undergraduate) credits and a letter grade (A, B, C), students will be eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from Dean Cohen or Professor Huang. This will be especially useful to Chinese high school students seeking to establish an academic record in the US in order to apply to American universities for college.InstructorsProfessor Mordechai Z. Cohen, Associate Dean of the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies and Director of the Chinese-Jewish ConversationProfessor He (Henry) Huang, distinguished Professor of Accounting and the Director of the Syms Masters of Science in Accounting Program at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. Ms Borong Zhang, MA in East Asian Studies, University of Toronto (2022); PhD candidate in Religious Studies, Indiana University (currently)Ms Kedi He, MS in Education, University of Pennsylvania (2022), specializing in Teaching English to Speakers of Other LanguagesProfessor Cohen will be the main lecturer. Professor Huang will deliver lectures on business and technology. Ms Zhang will lecture on classical Chinese philosophy and provide a summary of each lecture in Chinese. Ms He will provide coaching in academic English vocabulary based on the lectures. In addition, Ms Zhang and Ms He will guide students in the skills necessary to write a publishable English academic paper.More about the InstructorsMordechai Cohen (BA in Philosophy and Math, Yeshiva University, 1987; MA in Comparative Literature Columbia University, 1989; PhD Yeshiva University, 1994), has taught at Yeshiva University since 1988 and has lectured at universities in Europe, Israel, and China. The areas of his scholarship are Jewish classical texts and thought from comparative perspectives—with Christianity, Islam, Western thought, and, most recently, Chinese philosophy and classicals texts. Among his publications are Three Approaches to Biblical Metaphor (Brill Academic Publishers 2003; 2nd edition 2008), Opening the Gates of Interpretation (Brill Academic Publishers 2011), The Rule of Peshat (University of Pennsylvania Press 2020), and Rashi, Biblical Interpretation, and Latin Learning (Cambridge University Press 2021). In 2010/11, Cohen directed a fourteen-member international research group at the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies in Jerusalem that culminated in the publication of Interpreting Scriptures in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Cambridge University Press 2016). Cohen has taught an annual summer seminar at the Shandong University Center for Judaic and Inter-religious studies in Jinan, China since 2016, and has participated in philosophical conferences in Beijing. Having learned Mandarin, Cohen developed a network of Chinese scholars worldwide interested in engaging with Jewish learning in comparison with Chinese tradition. Since 2018 Cohen has implemented this vision through the Chinese-Jewish Conversation at YU, which he directs. Since 2020 he has been working on an electronic book project titled 走进犹太文化, published in installments online at https://cjcyu.org/blog/ Together with Borong Zhang, he is currently working on a study entitled “Re-creating Canonical Texts through Commentary: Neo-Confucianism of the Song Dynasty and Medieval Jewish Bible Interpretation.”Dr. Henry Huang graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the Department of Law at Peking University. He is a distinguished Professor of Accounting and the Director of the Syms Masters of Science in Accounting Program at Yeshiva University’s Sy Syms School of Business. With a Ph.D. in accounting and law degrees from both the U.S. and China, Dr. Huang brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to his teaching and research. His expertise encompasses international investment, accounting information systems, securities litigation, and entrepreneurial planning. Dr. Huang's research, widely cited by academic and professional circles, delves into the impact of external monitoring mechanisms on accounting practices and governance. He has an extensive publication record in leading journals, exploring topics ranging from climate change to cyber-security's value relevance. Prior to his tenure at Yeshiva University, Dr. Huang taught at esteemed institutions including the University of Houston and Butler University. His commitment to advancing knowledge in accounting and finance underscores his dedication to academic excellence and innovation.Borong Zhang is currently pursuing her PhD in Religious Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, with a specialization in Chinese thought and epistemology. Since 2021, she has held teaching assistantships in various Chinese literature and philosophy subjects at the University of Toronto. During this period, she designed a series of seminars to help undergraduates understand the breadth and depth of Chinese thought and the complex cultural connotations of China. Since 2020, Borong has been a major participant in academic research and writing at the CJC, leading her to a keen interest in exploring the comparative relationship between Chinese and Jewish cultures.Kedi He has been teaching English as a second language to a wide range of age groups since 2017. Drawing upon her pedagogic training and classroom experience, she effectively adjusts her teaching strategies to maximize the learning experiences diverse types of students on varying levels—from beginner to advanced. Furthermore, she is well acquainted with both the Chinese and American educational systems, and has devised innovative teaching methods that integrate the distinctive features of both, providing students with comprehensive English language skills. This online course will be designed individually for cohorts numbering from 5-20 students. The structure and contents of the fifteen lectures will be tailored according to the needs of each cohort, as will its academic level and the timing of the course. Due to its individualized nature, the course can be adjusted according to the needs and interests of other student groups. For example:Students with a background in Jewish studies wishing to gain expertise in a particular area, such as Bible, Talmud, or Jewish philosophy;Adults not pursuing an academic career but interested in Jewish culture per se, or the Judaic roots of ChristianityUpper-level high school students, particularly those seeking entrance to US universities Prospective Students Request more Information Fall Semester 2024 important datesTues., July 16 Online registration for Fall 2024 opensMon., Aug 26 Semester beginsTues., Sept 3 Last day to add a course. Last day to drop a course with tuition refund and with no W mark on academic record.Wed., Sept 4 Mark of “W” begins for course withdrawals. Students are obligated to complete the work in any course not officially dropped by this date.Thurs., Sept 26 Final exam. Semester ends.Thurs., Oct 10 Grades recordedWinter Semester 2025 important datesMon., Nov 11, 2024 Online registration for Fall 2024 opensTues., Jan 21, 2025 Semester beginsMon., Feb 3, 2025 Last day to add a course. Last day to drop a course with tuition refund and with no W mark on academic record.Tues., Feb 4, 2025 Mark of “W” begins for course withdrawals. Students are obligated to complete the work in any course not officially dropped by this date.Thurs., Feb 27, 2025 Final exam. Semester ends.Mon., Mar 24, 2025 Grades recordedADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: GRADUATE COURSEEnglish proficiency: TOEFL score of 90 or higher.GPA of 3.0 or higher on a university transcript.This course is open to graduate students and qualified undergraduates.ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: UNDERGRADUATE COURSEEnglish proficiency: TOEFL score of 90 or higher.GPA of 3.0 or higher on a university transcript or 80 or higher on a high school transcript .This course is open to university students and qualified high school students who wish to take a course for university (undergraduate) credit.CREDITS AND CERTIFICATIONThe course bears 3 academic credits (graduate or undergraduate) transferrable to other US universities, as it will be given under the aegis of Yeshiva University, which is accredited by the New York State Board of Education (NYSED). Students who complete the course successfully will receive a certificate of completion as well as a transcript indicating their grade and the three credits that they have earned from Yeshiva University.Frequently asked questions about the creditshttps://www.yu.edu/cjc/faqLANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTIONEnglish, with Chinese translation. Hebrew is not required. Prospective Students Fall Semester 2024 important datesTues., July 16 Online registration for Fall 2024 opensMon., Aug 26 Semester beginsTues., Sept 3 Last day to add a course. Last day to drop a course with tuition refund and with no W mark on academic record.Wed., Sept 4 Mark of “W” begins for course withdrawals. Students are obligated to complete the work in any course not officially dropped by this date.Thurs., Sept 26 Final exam. Semester ends.Thurs., Oct 10 Grades recordedWinter Semester 2025 important datesMon., Nov 11, 2024 Online registration for Fall 2024 opensTues., Jan 21, 2025 Semester beginsMon., Feb 3, 2025 Last day to add a course. Last day to drop a course with tuition refund and with no W mark on academic record.Tues., Feb 4, 2025 Mark of “W” begins for course withdrawals. Students are obligated to complete the work in any course not officially dropped by this date.Thurs., Feb 27, 2025 Final exam. Semester ends.Mon., Mar 24, 2025 Grades recordedADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: GRADUATE COURSEEnglish proficiency: TOEFL score of 90 or higher.GPA of 3.0 or higher on a university transcript.This course is open to graduate students and qualified undergraduates.ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: UNDERGRADUATE COURSEEnglish proficiency: TOEFL score of 90 or higher.GPA of 3.0 or higher on a university transcript or 80 or higher on a high school transcript .This course is open to university students and qualified high school students who wish to take a course for university (undergraduate) credit.CREDITS AND CERTIFICATIONThe course bears 3 academic credits (graduate or undergraduate) transferrable to other US universities, as it will be given under the aegis of Yeshiva University, which is accredited by the New York State Board of Education (NYSED). Students who complete the course successfully will receive a certificate of completion as well as a transcript indicating their grade and the three credits that they have earned from Yeshiva University.Frequently asked questions about the creditshttps://www.yu.edu/cjc/faqLANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTIONEnglish, with Chinese translation. Hebrew is not required. Request more Information