REL 211 -- Early Judaism

Plan of the Second Temple envisioned by Ezekiel, Charles Chipiez (19th C) [link]

Expanded course description

Judaism is one of the most dynamic and generative of religious traditions, adapting to changing circumstances in remarkable ways. This tradition, in its diverse expressions, underlies three major world religions and much of the intellectual, cultural and legal heritage of the Western world.

This course is a survey of Judaism from the Biblical period until the spread of Islamic in the 7th century C.E. The diverse traditions of Jews over two millennia will be studied from a historical viewpoint, focusing on the formation and maintenance of religious and social/ethnic communities through the development of literary, cultural, and ritual traditions. A major emphasis of the course is to hear the divergent voices of rival religious communities that form and maintain their identities around the same sacred writings, as they strive with and against each other and respond to threats and opportunities in the non-Jewish world. Students are encouraged not to prejudice one tradition, but to appreciate the complexity of circumstances and responses throughout changing times. The study will be based on close reading of primary texts in translation and supported by secondary scholarly literature.

Group: SSC

Offered 200701.

Syllabus

Although syllabi can change from term to term, a syllabus may provide further information about typical instances of this course.