Judaisms in Transition: Crises and Innovations

Module title	Judaisms in Transition: Crises and Innovations
Module code	THE1104
Academic year	2019/0
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr David Tollerton (Convenor) Professor Siam Bhayro (Convenor) Professor Siam Bhayro (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	45

Module description

This module focuses upon the changes in Jewish thought that have developed out of historical crises. The case studies considered span antiquity to the present day and highlight the evolution in Jewish identities and tradition. They include the destruction of the first and second temples, the rise of Christianity and Islam, the Enlightenment, the rise of Hasidism and Zionism.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will introduce the development of Jewish identities and traditions from antiquity to the present day. We will focus on a series of case studies, including the destruction of the first and second temples, the rise of Christianity and Islam, the Enlightenment, the rise of Hasidism and Zionism.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate, with guidance, a basic knowledge and understanding of Jewish history
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of key moments/events on the development of Judaism
3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the socio-religious context of pivotal crises in Jewish history
4. Demonstrate awareness of how personal and communal identities and motivations are shaped by socio-religious contexts and how important such identities are

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Begin, with guidance, to demonstrate comprehension of some of the textual expressions of the case study Jewish thinkers and communities
6. Begin, with guidance, to employ a variety of complementary methods of study: historical-critical; socio-religious; literary; theological and ideological
7. Evaluate and analyse, with guidance, a diversity of primary and secondary sources

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. Undertake guided work within broad guidelines
9. Collect and categorise information relevant to particular essays, with guidance
10. Demonstrate the ability to summarise information accurately and fairly
11. Make use of selected written sources, with clear guidance
12. Communicate clearly in writing
13. Participate appropriately in a learning group
14. Discuss sensitive issues with appropriate generosity

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:

The destruction of the First Temple
Antiochus IV and the Hasmoneans
The destruction of the Second Temple
Responses to Christianity
Responses to Islam
Transition session
Hasidism
The Enlightenment
Orthodoxy, conservatism and reform
Women in modern Judaisms
Modern Zionism

This module will comprise eleven two-hour classes that will include lecture material, guided discussion, the presentation of various primary sources with secondary analysis, and the regular provision of written handouts. Feedback on the formative essay will be provided in class and in tutorials. Guidance will be provided concerning directed reading and private study. You will be expected to read at least one chapter from a secondary source in preparation for each class.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
33	117	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning and teaching	22	Lectures (11 x 2 hours)
Scheduled learning and teaching	11	Seminars
Guided independent study	117	Private study

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	2000 words	1-12	Written

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	2000 words	1-12	Written feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay	1-12	Referral/Deferral period

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

J.J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2004)
H. Eshel, The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hasmonean State (Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2008)
J.C. VanderKam, An Introduction to Early Judaism (Cambridge: Eerdmans, 2001)
P. Mendes-Flohr and J. Reinharz (eds.), The Jew in the Modern World (Oxford: OUP, 1995)
H. Rubinstein, Jews in the Modern World: A History Since 1750 (New York: OUP, 2002)
N. de Lange and M. Freud-Kandel (eds.), Modern Judaism (Oxford: OUP, 2005)

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=4908

Key words search

Judaism

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	2014
Last revision date	09/04/2019