Faculty Funding

Description

Cornell faculty interested in developing a new course to be cross-listed with Jewish studies are invited to apply. Jewish studies particularly encourages proposals for innovative courses in disciplines, fields, regions, or topics not already covered by existing Jewish studies (JWST) courses.

The grant is comprised of a stipend and a budget for course-design related expenses. Jewish studies also offers financial support to bring in speakers or host events connected to the course during the semester when it is offered.

About Jewish Studies

The Cornell Jewish Studies Program was founded on the conviction that the record contained in the languages, literature, and history of the Jewish people, as developed across the globe and over thousands of years, are an integral part of the human heritage. Jewish Studies invites critical engagement with a range of cross-disciplinary issues that have long engaged scholars in the humanities and social sciences, including: diaspora; inter-group relations; and migration.

Jewish Studies Course Criteria

This grant can be used to fund the development of any course that merits cross-listing in Jewish Studies. Some Jewish Studies courses focus on entirely Jewish studies subject matter - Jewish texts, histories, cultures, representations, objects, etc. Other Jewish studies courses take a comparative approach. As a rule of thumb, Jewish studies will cross-list courses that devote some portion of the class (usually a minimum of 1/3) to Jewish studies subjects considered in a comparative or theoretical context. In general, Jewish studies courses are parented in the faculty member’s home unit and cross-listed with Jewish studies.

Funding

• Grantees will receive a $3000 stipend.
• Applicants may request up to $1000 (payable to the grantee’s research account) to support the purchase of materials required for course preparation and design (Budget required at time of application).
• Jewish studies also encourages applicants to consider hosting a speaker, roundtable, film screening, performance, etc., in the context of the class. Applicants may request up to an additional $1000 to support events open to students in the class and the wider Cornell community (Budget required at time of application).

Eligibility

Any continuing Cornell faculty members are eligible to apply, including: tenure stream; professor of the practice (any rank); and lecturer/ senior lecturer.

Conditions of Grant

Jewish studies expects funded courses to be taught at least two times over five years, with the hope that courses will continue to be offered regularly.

Deadlines for the 2024-25 Grant Competition

• December 1, 2023: Submission Deadline
• December 17, 2023: Awards Announced
• Summer 2024: Funds Disbursed
• Fall 2024 or Spring 2025: Course Offered

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials via email to jewishstudies@cornell.edu by December 1. Supporting documents should be sent as email attachments in one of the following file formats: .pdf; .doc; .docx; .xls; or .xlsx.

• Application form signed by both the applicant and the department chair / program director confirming that the unit will parent the course and that the applicant will be permitted to teach the course on a cycle that will meet the conditions of the grant.
• A proposal that includes:
  • Course description
  • Rationale for offering the course
  • Information about course level and academic unit parenting the course.
• Applicants requesting funds to support the purchase of materials must submit a budget for anticipated expenses.
• Applicants requesting funds to support a complementary event should include a description of the event, names of proposed guests, list of possible dates, and a preliminary budget.

Please direct any questions to the Director of the Jewish Studies Program.