This year-long, half-credit course exposes students to advanced methods employed in understanding texts, contexts, and concepts in the main areas of Jewish Studies. A diverse team of scholars from a range of academic disciplines will model methods such as textual exegesis and criticism; history of interpretation; social history; cultural studies; comparative approaches; and analysis of philosophical and theological problems and arguments. Students participate in group discussions after the twelve scheduled guest lectures and write three short responses each semester to specific presentations.