The politicization of Israel studies

This book summarizes the results of a five year inquiry into the emergence of Israel studies as an academic field. It examines how this field came to be, changed and evolved, and how it compares to other area studies as well as to religious studies fields such as Jewish Studies. The topic is treated within a historical and political context, and as such carries ramifications beyond the confines of Israel Studies per se, extending into the embedment of academic fields in their broader environment. In addition to in-depth case studies of two public and two private universities, using archival material accessed for the first time, the book is based on interviews with and surveys of Israel studies chair holders in US universities. Among the significant issues covered are that of donor intent and institutional implementation, which have broader relevance to universities. (Publisher description).