| This thesis is a history of H-Judaic: The Jewish Studies Network. H-Judaic is an Internet-based professional organization primarily for those involved in post-secondary Jewish Studies, including professors and instructors, graduate students, librarians, researchers, rabbis involved with post-secondary institutions and independent scholars. As of April 2000, H-Judaic was the largest professional organization in Jewish Studies, either Internet-based or not, with a membership of over 2200 people. Among its services are: a daily discussion forum (the H-Judaic listserv); a regular weekly newsletter with information on positions; conference announcements; calls-for-papers and other professional issues; a book review service; and a website. Although the vast majority of the members are located in the United States, every continent is represented, with significant cohorts from Israel, Canada and Australia. The main body of this thesis is a documentary history of the organization during its first decade of development. That history is situated within the context of a review of the field of Jewish Studies, and a review of listserv-based communication technology in post-secondary education. Finally, the history is complemented by a review of the important discourse trends that occurred among member of the organization during that period. |
