GSI - Judaic ; Winter

This position will serve as a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) for two mini courses in Winter 2027, both under the supervision of Julian Levinson. The first course, The Book of Genesis, will run from January 13 to March 5, 2027. The second course, The Merchant of Venice:
Shakespeare and the Jewish Question, will take place from March 15, 2025, to April 27, 2027. Each course represents a half-term commitment, requiring 35% effort. This position is a 35% GSI appointment for the entire Winter 2027 term, entailing approximately 15 hours of effort per week.

GSI duties will include, but are not limited to:

• attending one to two class lectures per week (depending on course)
• holding regular office hours weekly and being available over email for questions or concerns
• grading all assignments in a timely manner and keeping accurate records
• attending regular meetings with course instructor
• assisting in final grading and assessment at the end of each half-term

• Prior coursework and/or familiarity with Judaic Studies
• Current enrolled graduate student in good standing at the University of Michigan
• To be appointed as a GSI or GSSA, a graduate student must be in good standing in their degree program and for Terms I and II, must be registered for not less than six (6) credit hours. With written approval of the student's faculty advisor, five (5) credit hours may be acceptable.

• Prior GSI experience in the College of LSA
• Overall positive academic performance and progress toward the degree
• Ability to work with diverse student body
• Preference will be given to applicants enrolled in LSA graduate programs

Judaic 218.002: The Book of Genesis
Tu/Th 1-2PM, online
1/13/27 - 3/5/27
In this one-credit mini course, students have an opportunity to delve deeply into the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. This text contains some of the world?s most famous and most challenging stories:
Adam and Eve in the Garden;
Noah?s Ark and the Flood; the Tower of Babel; the Binding of Isaac;
Joseph in Egypt,etc., ?

We will approach the Book of Genesis in the same way that we read any literary work: we will analyze its literary style, description of a character, patterns of imagery, and recurrent themes. As we work our way through the text, students will learn about a variety of methods of interpretation, including Rabbinic Midrash, folklore analysis, and modern Bible criticism.

Judaic 218.005
:
The Merchant of Venice:
Shakespeare and the Jewish Question
Tu/Th, 2:30-4PM, online
3/15/27 - 4/27/27
This two-credit mini course offers students a deep dive into

The Merchant of Venice, one of William Shakespeare?s most controversial plays. The play centers on Shylock, the Jewish moneylender, who is at once a classic villain and the character who utters some of the play?smost compelling lines, including a plea for a humane ethics (Hath not a Jew eyes?... Hurt withthe same weapons? as a Christian is??). While some productions of the play foreground

Shylock?s evilness, others emphasize his tragic fate as a Jew in an intolerant society. In addition to closely studying the play itself, we will explore the history of Jews during Shakespeare?s time,as well as how different stage and cinematic productions have handled its highly charged material. By studying

The Merchant of Venice, we gain a deeper understanding of the role oftheater in perpetuating and questioning anti-Semitism and discrimination more generally.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Send inquiries to js-student-services

All applications will be submitted to the faculty member teaching the course for review. After reviewing the applications and conducting possible interviews, the faculty member will make the final hiring decisions. Preference will be given to applicants enrolled in LSA graduate programs. During the last hiring cycle for this position in Winter 2023, there were 11 applicants.

The faculty member will make the selection based on the desired qualifications listed. All GSI appointments are subject to administrative approval. The estimated date for extending an offer is approximately November 30, 2026. Applicants may…