JWC2280 - Jewish philosophy and Kabbalah
6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL
Undergraduate Faculty of Arts
Leader(s): Michael Fagenblat and Nathan Wolski
Offered
Not offered in 2009
Synopsis
From the 11th to the 13th centuries Jewish expression underwent a remarkable renaissance that saw the birth of its greatest philosophical and mystical exponents. We will study Maimonides' Guide for the Perplexed as a universalistic philosophy of religion, as well as an exponent of the particulars of Jewish law. The second half of the course will examine the extraordinary rise of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition that flourished in Spain from the end of the 13th century. Besides considering the relations between Maimonides and the mystics we will also examine the different but equally daring reading techniques of philosophers and mystics alike.
Objectives
Upon successful completion of this unit students will:
- Understand and explain the central ideas and the intellectual context of the medieval renaissance in Jewish philosophy and mysticism.
- Analyse, describe, differentiate and trace the influences between the basic ideas of Maimonidean rationalism and the mysticism of the early Kabbalah.
- Read and analyse selected texts from Maimonides' The Guide of the Perplexed and his Code of Jewish Law and selected texts from The Zohar and the Gates of Light.
- Be familiar with contemporary scholarly debates concerning The Guide and The Zohar.
Assessment
Written work: 60%
Test 30%
Participation: 10%
Contact hours
2.5 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1.5 hour tutorial) per week