The US-Israel Relationship: Past, Present and Future Since the start of the Gaza war in 2023, the alliance between the United States and Israel has grown both stronger and more controversial. In this course, we will examine the history of the special relationship between the two countries with attention focused on its religious, cultural, political and strategic dimensions. Topics will include Christian Zionism, American Jewish politics, Israel-Palestine conflict, the Israel Lobby, geopolitics, and contemporary social movements. Course materials will include lectures, reading assignments and documentary films. All students will complete and present research about a contemporary advocacy campaign meant to influence US policy toward Israel, Palestine and/or the Middle East.

American Jewish Life In this course we will explore American Jewish life during a period of rapid change. We will begin with a survey of American Jews’ 20th century ethnic, racial, and religious identities. We will then focus on scenes of contemporary religious and communal innovation across a wide spectrum of American Jewish life, including case studies of Hasidic, Queer/progressive, Orthodox and Reform Jews, and Jews of Color. Throughout, we will examine how diverse Jewish collectivities incorporate broader American and global ideas, creating new amalgamations and contributing to social change. In the final unit, we will explore contentious issues related to Israel, antisemitism, gender, and American politics. Sources will include books, articles, films, and a study tour in New York City.

Jews, Politics and Social Movements Over the last century, social movements have challenged, shaken up and transformed American Jewish life. In this course, we will consider the influence of movements for civil rights, peace, feminism, Soviet Jewry, LGBTQ+ rights, and for Israel and Palestine. Throughout, our focus will be on the reciprocal influence of political and religious movements, and on the changing character of American Jewish life. Theoretical material will be drawn from the sociology of social movements, diaspora studies, and the sociology of religion. We will look at scholarly literature, films, and primary documents. Students will also conduct original research.

Contemporary Israel: Society, Culture and Politics In this course we will examine Israeli society and politics in a period of rapid and profound transformation.  We begin with an introductory unit on Zionism, Palestinian nationalism and the history of the state. Subsequent units examine the social, cultural and political characteristics of Israel’s main population sectors (Middle Eastern, European, Russian and Ethiopian Jews and Palestinian citizens and residents of the state) and religious groupings (Muslims and Jews, including secular, traditional, national-religious and ultra-Orthodox). The final units examine intensifying political struggles that will shape the future of Israel and the region. Topics will include the role of religion in public life; civil rights, democracy and the courts; and West Bank settlements, occupation, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The US-Israel Relationship: Past, Present and Future Since the start of the Gaza war in 2023, the alliance between the United States and Israel has grown both stronger and more controversial. In this course, we will examine the history of the special relationship between the two countries with attention focused on its religious, cultural, political and strategic dimensions. Topics will include Christian Zionism, American Jewish politics, Israel-Palestine conflict, the Israel Lobby, global geopolitics, and contemporary social movements. Course materials will include lectures, reading assignments and documentary films. All students will complete and present research about a contemporary advocacy campaign meant to influence US policy toward Israel, Palestine and/or the Middle East.

Ted Sasson

Reviews and ratings for Ted Sasson at Middlebury College.Ted Sasson teaches The US-Israel Relationship, American Jewish Life, Jews Politics&Social Movements and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Ted Sasson good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Sasson really cares about the class, which made it enjoyable. But the class itself was extremely slow-paced and only graded on three papers. The papers seemed to be graded very harshly for such a slow-paced course. Overall, Sasson was a good teacher, but the class was not very enjoyable to me. The trip to New York, though was great and very educational. 

This class was decent, no exams only 3 papers. There was lots of discussions during class on the required readings for that week. Also you take a trip to New York City to tour the neighborhoods. Very interesting.

I particularly appreciated how the course connected historical events to contemporary Jewish American experiences. The readings, discussions, and lectures helped me see how themes such as identity, community, and belonging continue to evolve across generations. 