| Description: The history, theology, and religious practices
of the Jews exemplify the interrelationship between a religious civilization
and the historical and cultural framework within which that civilization
exists. As is the case for all peoples, that is, what happens to
the Jews through history affects their formulation of their religion, Judaism,
shaping how they think about themselves and the world. This course
addresses that fact, examining the content of Judaism as it unfolds in
response to the history of the Jews. As a result, by the end of the
semester, students will know a great deal about Jews and Judaism.
But, just as important, they will come to understand the social construction
of religion in general, so as to recognize the specific roles that religious
practices and ideas play in the formulation of a people’s evolving sense
of identity, meaning, and purpose.
To accomplish our goals, over the course of the semester we evaluate
the history and emerging religious ideologies of the Jews from biblical
times until the present (units II, IV), paying special attention to the
form of Judaism practiced throughout the world today. This entails
a particular focus on Jewish ritual and holiday observance (unit III) and
on modern formulations of Judaism (unit IV).
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