Jewish Studies: Jews and Judaisms

An introduction to Jewish history, religious thought and practice, ethics, and law. Cross-listed with: REL 1240.

Cross listed with REL 1240; Total combined enrollment: 60 Open to degree and PACE students

The course will present an overview of Judaism as a religion, a history of Judaism, and a history of the academic field of Jewish Studies. The course provides a foundation for the Jewish Studies minor, as well as for courses in Religious Studies and Middle East Studies. The course will present broad, general knowledge, but also address questions of the intersection of religion, ethnicity, and race; the importance of narrative and community in religious persistence, particularly in the face of persecution; and modes of creativity in religious thought and practice.

Students are expected to attend classes prepared by doing the reading and homework (when appropriate). The class combines lectures and discussions both as a whole class and sometimes in small groups that are either ad hoc or assigned "study groups" that are consistent throughout the semester.

Students will engage the material through classroom lectures and discussion, reading quizzes or homework, focused group projects that approach the topic through scholarly journal articles and popular literature (cook books, novels, or memoirs), and a take-home final exam.