JWC1040

Jewish civilisation I, part B

Paul Forgasz

6 points
* 2 lectures and 1 tutorial per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* No prior knowledge of Jewish history is assumed

Objectives The subject is designed to continue the introduction to the major events and issues in Jewish history, thought and culture undertaken in JWC1030. A further objective is to introduce students to the sources available for the study of Jewish civilisation and to the critical evaluation of these sources.

Synopsis The focus is on Jews in the medieval period - under the crescent and the cross. The core of the course is the history of the Jews in Spain from the Muslim ascendancy to the Christian reconquest in the 15th century. Topics to be included are Palestine Jewry to the end of the Patriachate; Jerusalem and Babylon - centres of religious power; the Jews and the rise of Islam; Spanish Jewry in the `Golden Age'; Jews in Christian Europe - England, France, the Rhineland; Jews in the Islamic world; the end of Iberian Jewry; Kabbalism, mysticism and false messiahs; the Jews in the Renaissance.

Assessment Tutorial paper, presented orally and in writing (500 words): 15%
* Long essay (2000 words): 45%
* Examination (2 hours): 40%

Recommended texts

Ashtor E The Jews of Moslem Spain JPS, 1984
Cohen M R Under crescent and cross: The Jews in the Middle Ages Princeton, 1994
Hallo W (ed.) Heritage, civilisation and the Jews Source Reader, Prager, 1984
Gerber J S The Jews in Spain: A history of the sephardic experience Free Press, 1992
Scholem G Major trends in Jewish mysticism Thames and Hudson, 1955