RELS 130 Judaism from the Middle Ages to Modernity
This course will explore the history of Jews, Judaism, and Jewish life from the Middle Ages to the present day. In doing so, we will use the widest geographical lens possible by examining Jewish communities stretching from Baghdad to Berlin to Buenos Aires and beyond. In order to illustrate important ideas, frequent use will be made of various primary source materials including literature, film, religious texts, and more. Throughout our study of the past 500-odd years of Jewish history, particular emphasis will be placed on cultural transformation as an index of broader historical processes such as changes in intra-communal authority, European colonialism, relationships with the state, and the development of Jewish secularism.
Core Requirements Met
- Pre-1800
- Global Connections