About this course: Israel is a country that draws a lot of public attention around the globe. Nevertheless, both those who support Israel and those who are critical of its geopolitical standing and policies, usually have a very limited knowledge about the Israeli society and its political system. This course presents Israel from multiple perspectives - political, social, economic and cultural - in an attempt to expose the learners to a cutting edge academic research on the country. Each of the 13 sessions is focused on one aspect of the Israeli society. Every session starts with a general introduction of the issue at hand, hosting one expert or more, who share their most recent studies and insights on that specific field. Every 15 minutes, or so, the students are asked to answer an informative quiz of comprised of a single question. Upon the completion of each class, an online chat will be opened. Students studying for credit are expected to participate in it, ask relevant questions and answer questions about the required readings for this class. Students will graduate from this course with a better understanding of the Israeli society, better knowledge of the Israeli history, politics and economy, and better acquaintance with the varying groups of which the Israeli society is comprised.
Who is this class for: The course is aimed at undergraduate students and the general public, seeking a better understanding of Israeli politics and society in its broadest sense, and looking for a cutting edge research of Israeli society.
Created by: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Taught by: Michal Frenkel, Prof.
Sociology and Anthropology
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 13 weeks of study, 3-4 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction
Israel is a country that draws a lot of public attention around the globe. Nevertheless, both those who support Israel and those who are critical of its geopolitical standing and policies, usually have a very limited knowledge about the Israeli society and its...
1 video, 3 readings
Graded: Confirmation Quiz
WEEK 2
Zionism - The ideological roots of Israel's state and society
The state of Israel was established in 1948, as the nation state of the Jewish people. Yet, many of its current features can be traced back to the Jewish religious longing to return to Zion (or Jerusalem), and to the national political movement known as Zionis...
1 video, 2 readings
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 3
Building a nation, constructing a memory: on sacred time and space in the Israeli society
Zionism has brought together Jews from different countries, all over the world; Jews who have lived in this territory for generations, and the Arab inhabitants of the land. These groups have differed in their history, national narratives, and vision for the fu...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 4
Who are the Israelis – Demographic dynamics and their social consequences
This session presents the different groups comprising the Israeli society, and the changes in their composition over time. It also presents what had been considered the "demographic problem," and the reasons for the country's high fertility rates.
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 5
Israel's political system
The Israeli political system reflects the country’s complex social mosaic and contested history. This class provides the foundation for a better understanding of Israel's political system and its institutions.
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 6
Israel in the Middle East – War and peace
This session will offer a brief historical overview of Israel's place in the Middle East. It tries to highlight the main dynamics, which keep feeding the Jewish-Arab conflict.
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 7
Israel as a Jewish state - Can a state be both Jewish and democratic?
The lecture addresses the appellation "Jewish and Democratic State" from a variety of perspectives and disciplines: historical, political, philosophical, and theological ones. A special focus is place on the way gender outplays in the country, given its Jewish...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 8
Jewish-Arab relations in Israel – Conflicts and integration
Arab-Palestinian citizens constitute the largest national minority in Israel. Despite the formal and legal integration into the Israeli society of the Arab residents, security concerns and doubts regarding their loyalty to the new state, have shaped the comple...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 9
A society of immigrants – multiculturalism and social stratification
Israel is a society of immigrants. It was shaped by waves of Jewish immigration beginning in the late 19th century. At first, most if the immigrants arrived from Eastern and central Europe. After the founding of the state, however, waves of immigrants from the...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 10
A nation in uniforms – the social consequences of the unending conflict
The military in Israel plays a crucial role in the country's politics, economy and society, due to its engagement in an ongoing armed conflict. Military service is universal for Jewish men and women. It is often the front door to the local labor market, allowi...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 11
From state-building to neoliberalism: the role of the state in Israel’s economy
This session will present Israel's economy and its transformation from statist centralized economy to a neo-liberal one organized around its leading high-tech industry. It will explore the social consequences of this process in terms of growing inequality and ...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 12
Determinants of voting behavior in Israel
This session will address the question of voting in a society so riddled with external and internal conflicts, and in a political system offering so many options,: "how does the Israeli voter decide?" It will provide both sociological and psychological models ...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final quiz
WEEK 13
Is there an Israeli identity?
As a young society of immigrants and natives, the development of a relatively coherent and identifiable Israeli identity and culture seemed almost impossible. Yet, many Israelis and foreign commentators argue that such a distinct identity has indeed been creat...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
WEEK 14
Jerusalem, the microcosms of Israeli society – History, politics and everyday life
Jerusalem is among the most contested cities in the world, characterized by an unremitting struggle for territorial control—neighborhood by neighborhood and even house-by-house. Juxtaposing the city history and its complex Geography, this class will tell the s...
1 video, 1 reading
Graded: Final Quiz
FAQs
How It Works
Coursework
Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.
Help from Your Peers
Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.
Certificates
Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.
Creators
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Ranked among the top academic and research institutions worldwide, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel's leading university and premier research institution. Serving 23,000 students from 70 countries, the Hebrew University produces a third of Israel’s civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development. The Hebrew University was founded in 1918 by visionaries including Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Martin Buber and Chaim Weizmann. It is located on three campuses in Jerusalem and a fourth in Rehovot. Visit the website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
Ratings and Reviews
O Curso é excelente. Apresenta um panorama geral do Estado de Israel e dos processos que o tornaram o que é hoje. Muito bom poder aprender com importantes professores da Universidade Hebraica de Jerusalém e suas pesquisas recentes em cada área de estudo. Curso muito recomendável.
A very, very interesting course. I enjoyed every minute!
Except for the last lecture on Jerusalem, I loved each and every lecture in the course. Also, the quizzes should have been a little longer, i.e. with more questions, at least 3-5 questions for each week.
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
© 2017 Coursera Inc. All rights reserved.
This is a great course, full of new views and perspectives regarding to the Israel Society. The readings assigned are useful and provide some new insights that are somewhat implicitly stated in the lectures.
I really enjoyed the course, and I wish one day I can visit Jerusalem in person.