Can a poem change history, or does history change how we read poetry? This introductory course presents twelve landmark poems as windows into the most contentious aspects of Israeli society: Zionism's origins and evolution, the 1948 war, Jewish feminism, tensions between Mizrahi and Ashkenazi communities, the occupation of Palestine, and competing visions of national identity. Each week, we will explore one poem in depth, examining how it both reflects and resists its political moment, discovering how poets shape, challenge, and reimagine the stories nations tell about themselves.

Through close reading and historical analysis, you will develop skills in understanding how literature and politics intersect while gaining an in-depth perspective on core issues in Israeli society. No prior knowledge of Hebrew, Israeli history, or poetry required. Texts will be read in English with Hebrew originals provided.