WR-234: Judaism

This course is INACTIVE
School
Liberal Arts
Division
Social Sciences
Department
Religious Studies
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
World Religions
Course Number
234
Course Title
Judaism
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
WR-232, grade "C" or better
Catalog Course Description

Introduces and explores the evolving practice of Judaism, from the formation of its foundational documents to its current methodologies in the United States and Israel. Addresses the ancient Near East context from 1240 BCE – 70 CE, the rabbinical period from 200 CE – 1575 CE, and the modern diaspora from 1800 to the present, including holidays, the lunar calendar, and some theology.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Goal Statement
Explores the development of Judaism and its influence on the cultures of the Western hemisphere. An emphasis on the unique ways in which Judaism has impacted political and narrative discourse will centralize the exploration.
Core Course Topics
  1. History of Judaism: Ancient Near East traditions
    1. Describe the development of ancient Judaism.
    2. Describe the scope its traditional contents.
    3. Explain how this tradition promotes an understanding of Western culture.
    4. Describe the basic concepts that form the foundations for monotheism.
  2. Research in Judaic Studies: Methodologies for Exploration
    1. Compare and contrast the Jewish worldview against comparable religious traditions.*
  3. Textual foundations of Judaism
    1. Identify and summarize the texts that provide the philosophical foundation for the tradition.
  4. Origins
    1. Describe the Hebrew starting points for the tradition.
    2. Compare and contrast the Canaanite nature religions.*
    3. Describe the Babylonian Gilgamesh epic and its points of comparison.
  5. Understanding Similarities
    1. Describe the scholarly interpretations of cross-cultural Near East stories.
    2. Analyze the ways in which these similarities move from oral to written.*
  6. Torah: Explanation of the Documentary Hypothesis
    1. Explain the four source theory of composition.
    2. Prepare an exegetical example from Genesis for analysis.
    3. Describe the key features upon which modern scholarship builds its theories.
  7. Moses: What is a legalistic religion?
    1. Describe the nature of a legalistic religion.
    2. Compare and contrast the Noahide Laws and the Mosaic Laws.
    3. Describe the introduction of the Talmud into Judaism.
  8. II Samuel and Ezra-Nehemiah
    1. Explain the difference between kritarchy and monarchy.
    2. Describe the loss of the ten tribes.
    3. Explain the factors involved in the exile.
    4. Summarize the introduction of the Second Temple into Judaism.
  9. Tannaim
    1. Explain the notion of diaspora in the wake of events in 70CE.
    2. Describe the rabbinics of Haffa and the schools of Hillel and Shammai.
    3. Describe the process of canonization.
  10. Medieval period
    1. Summarize the Mishnah and discuss its influence.
    2. Describe the influence of Maimonides, Ibn Ezra, Caro, and others.
  11. The Enlightenment
    1. Describe rise in anti-Semitism and suggest causes.
    2. Discuss the impact of secularism and the rise of modern science.
    3. Summarize the formalization of liturgy and holidays.
  12. The 19th Century
    1. Explain and describe Hasidism and Kabbalistic practices.
    2. Describe the return to orthodoxy in Europe.
    3. Describe the emergence of Reform movement in the United States.
  13. The Modern Period
    1. Identify and explain tradition’s impact on ethics and law in: Shoah and Israel.
  14. Judaism and Post-Modernism: An analysis of the current situation and the foreseeable future
    1. Describe Halacha after Shoah.
    2. Describe the roles of Rabbis, poseks, life-events, and Jewish learning in Post-Modernism.
    3. Demonstrate an appreciation of (or respectful tolerance for) Jewish religious and cultural perspectives.*

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement

Each instructor will identify and implement appropriate methods to assess the achievement of the learning objectives of the course. These methods can include, but are not necessarily limited to, true-false, multiple-choice, matching, and essay examinations, as well as out-of-class papers, Internet assignments, audio and/or video conferences, and library projects.

Texts

De Lange, Nicholas. (2003). Judaism (2nd edition).Oxford UP. Any Old Testament translation.

Outcomes

General Education Categories
  • Humanities and Fine Arts
MTA Categories
  • Category 5: Humanities and Fine Arts
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No

Credit for Prior College-Level Learning

Options for Credit for Prior College-Level Learning
Other
Other Details

Determined by department.

Effective Term
Fall 2022