| Ira Chernus PROFESSOR OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER |
SYLLABUS
RLST 3100
JUDAISM Summer, 2001
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
This course has two aims:
1. The course will provide a basic introduction to the historical development of Judaism from its beginnings to the present day. We will focus on the religious experiences, worldviews, beliefs, behaviors, and symbols of the Jewish tradition, and on the historical forces--cultural, political, social, and economic--that have shaped Judaism. The course does not aim to reinforce or to change the student's feelings about Judaism, Jewish identity, or the Jewish people. It does aim to provide, as objectively as possible, a detailed understanding of the history of Judaism.
2. The course will also use the study of Judaism as a way to understand the historical context of contemporary U.S. society and culture. We will analyze how various parts of the Jewish tradition directly or indirectly influenced the development of U.S. culture. From time to time we will discuss questions raised by the history of Judaism that are still important to us today. In these ways we will make our study of Judaism relevant to our own lives.
READINGS
The following books will form the required reading for the course:
Nicholas de Lange, ed., The Illustrated History of the Jewish People
Jacob NEUSNER, A Short History of Judaism
Martin JAFFEE, Early Judaism
The BIBLE (in a modern translation; e.g., New Revised Standard Version, New English Bible, New Jewish Version, New American Bible, New International Version; avoid King James Version and Authorized Version)
NORLIN LIBRARY READINGS: The assignments labeled READINGS in the syllabus are available on reserve. In addition, you will learn a lot from reading original source texts in Phillip S. Alexander, Textual Sources for the Study of Judaism. For more historical detail on any subject consult Robert Seltzer, Jewish People, Jewish Thought. All of these, and the textbooks, will be on reserve in Norlin Library.
SCHEDULE OF READING ASSIGNMENTS
Assignments should be completed by the dates on the schedule below. All assignments are by page number except in the Bible, where assignments are by book and chapter number.
I. BIBLICAL JUDAISM BEFORE THE EXILE (10th - 7th cent. BCE)
June 5 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 3-9; JAFFEE 1-30; BIBLE: Amos 5,8; Hosea 1-4; Isaiah 1,2,6,10
June 6 - NEUSNER 1-35; ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 55-57; BIBLE: Genesis 12,15,22; Exodus 14,19,20; Deuteronomy 6,9,11,12,14; Ezekiel 36,37
II. FROM THE EXILE TO HELLENISM (6th - 1st cent. BCE)
June 7– ILLUSTRATED HISTORY bottom of 9- top of 17; JAFFEE 31-34, bottom of 55 -73, 164-175; NEUSNER bottom of 35-47; BIBLE: Isaiah 40,45; Nehemiah 8; Ezra 9,10
June 11 – ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 17 - 40, bottom of 57 - 67; JAFFEE 34-41, 73-78, 92-113, 125-138; BIBLE: Ecclesiastes 1-3, Daniel 6,7,12
III. RABBINIC JUDAISM (1st cent. BCE - 6th cent. CE )
June 12 – ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 40-51, 90-94; JAFFEE 41-46, 78-82, 138-155
June 13 - JAFFEE 46-52, 82-89, 213- 222; ILLUSTRATED HISTORY bottom of 71 - 74; NEUSNER 51-83, 216-224
June 14 - JAFFEE 155 - 210; ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 67-71;
June 18 - NEUSNER 84-139; JAFFEE 114-122, 223-241; ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 74-90, 94-95
IV. MEDIEVAL JUDAISM (7th - 18th cent. )
June 19 - NEUSNER 140-145, bottom of 155-160; ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 141-178
June 20 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 95-126, NEUSNER 151-155
June 21 - - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 178-191, 126-139, 192-197; NEUSNER 161-165; MIDTERM EXAM DUE
V. THE RISE OF MODERN JUDAISM (18th & 19th cent.)
June 25 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 199-253; NEUSNER 169-192
June 26 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 303-322; NEUSNER 192-201; READINGS: Leo Pinsker, "Auto-Emancipation" 188-191,198, Theodor Herzl, "The Jewish State" 208-213, Ahad Ha'am, "The Jewish State and the Jewish Problem" 262-269, "Statement by the Lubavitcher Rebbe" 11-18
VI. 20TH CENTURY JUDAISM
June 27 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 255-301
June 28 - WIESEL, Night (all)
July 2 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 322-374, 392-397; NEUSNER 202-215; READINGS: Martin Buber, Nationalism and Zionism ("Hebrew Humanism" and "Israel and the Command of the Spirit"), 248-257
July 3 - ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 374-392; READINGS: Jack Wertheimer, A People Divided, 18-25, 28-39, 66-76, 83-91, 188-196; Liebman and Cohen, The Two Worlds of Judaism, 157-175
EVALUATION
Your grade in this course will be based on two take-home essay exams. The first exam will cover material studied through June 18. It will be due on June 21. The second exam will cover material studied from June 19 through the end of the term. It will be due on July 6. There will be no in-class exams and no in-class final exam.
OFFICE HOURS
I will be available every day immediately before and after class for individual conversation. My office is in HUMN 284. You can reach me at chernus@spot.colorado.edu or at 492-6169.
|
[ HOME ] [ COURSES ] [ RESEARCH ] [ CONTACT ME ] |
| [ OP-ED COLUMNS / SINCE SEPT. 11 ] [ PUBLIC CITIZEN ] |