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CURRENT AND UPCOMING TEACHING Jewish Genes: What are They and How are We Learning about Them? Jews have always been concerned with their families and their past. The fast-developing sciences of genetics and DNAgenealogy provide new ways for examining Jewish history and our links with the past. In this stimulating course, we will master some useful terminology and basic concepts of both genetics and DNA-genealogy; shed new light on the issue of Jewish identity through new discoveries in those sciences; examine the validity of direct ancestry claims for far-flung Jewish communities in such places as South Africa, Ethiopia and India; learn about genetic disorders particularly common among Jews (such as Tay-Sachs disease); and (time permitting) critically discuss recent speculations on the higher IQ measures among Jews and other centuries-old stereotypes. The ultimate goal of this course is to stimulate thought and discussion of the centuries-old question “What does it mean to be Jewish?” When: 4 sessions on Wednesdays, January 13 – February 3, 7:30 – 9:00 pm Languages of the World More than 6,000 languages are spoken in the world today and their variety seems unbounded. This linguistic diversity tells us a lot about the development of human language and thought. It also serves as an important tool for understanding the history of human civilization and what it means to be human. In this course, we will acquaint ourselves with the diversity of human languages, examine how languages evolve, and trace historical relationships among languages. We will focus on several languages, including Hungarian, Basque, Georgian, and Malagasy, and through them learn the story of populations migrating, splitting, evolving, and interacting. After taking a whirlwind tour of the world’s languages, we will bring the course home and discuss linguistic diversity in the US, as well as issues of language policy and politics. When: 10 sessions on Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:50 PM January 14 - March 18 The Glamour of Grammar School teaching of English grammar often makes this subject appear really dull and dreary. And few English speakers realize that the words “glamorous” and “grammar” come from the same root, meaning “mysterious or occult.” In this fascinating course, we will dispel many a mystery of English grammar: Why is there “stupidity” but not “smartity?” Why can we “blacken” fish or “whiten” teeth, but not “pinken” or “greenen” anything? Why is a Blackberry (phone) called that although it is not necessarily black and is not a kind of berry? Who makes up new words anyway? Why do we say “tip-top” and “zig-zag” and not “top-tip” or “zag-zig?” Why can we use “that” in “Who did you say that Julie kissed?” but must omit “that” in “Who did you say kissed Julie?” We will also consider how children learn the intricacies of English grammar without—as we shall see—much direct instruction.” When: 5 sessions on Wednesdays, 2 - 4 PM February 10 - March 10 Languages of the World An introduction into the diversity of human languages, their sound systems, vocabularies, and grammars. Tracing historical relationships between languages and language families. Parallels with genetic evolutionary theory. Language policy, endangered languages and heritage languages. Classification of sign languages. When: 10 sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:15-5:30 PM January 5 - March 11 TEACHING EXPERIENCE GRADUATE COURSES:
UNDERGRADUATE COURSES:
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