Module THEO2631: Jews and Judaism in the Contemporary World

Department: Theology and Religion

THEO2631: Jews and Judaism in the Contemporary World

Prerequisites

• None.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• For students to develop an appreciation of the Hebrew Bible in its modern Jewish context, and to become familiar with a range of exegetical approaches.
• To gain an in-depth understanding of vital aspects of Jewish faith and practice, and the historical and political contexts in which these emerged.
• To become aware of Judaism as a cultural and historical phenomenon, comprising the lived experience of Jews in many societies, rather than as simply a belief system.
• To develop familiarity with different methodologies and approaches to the study of religion, including historical and anthropological perspectives.

Content

• This module is an introduction to the rich and multifaceted nature of Judaism as it is practised in the contemporary world. It is organised thematically, with each lecture dedicated to a specific aspect of Jewish history, literature, theology, or religious practice. Students will develop an understanding of Judaism as a historical and cultural phenomenon rather than viewing it in purely religious terms. To this end, they will engage with a range of methodologies and perspectives drawn from history and anthropology as well as theology. Specific topics will include the place of the Hebrew Bible in modern Jewish life, and the diverse exegetical approaches taken by different Jewish movements; the vital role of religious symbolism in Judaism; concepts of sacred space and place; the emergence of Jewish mysticism; the influence of migration and Diaspora on Jewish religious thought; the rise of Jewish nationalism; and religious, cultural, and political legacies of the Holocaust. Jewish engagement with pressing contemporary questions, such as racism, women’s rights, and climate justice, will be woven throughout the course.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will have a nuanced understanding of contemporary Judaism and its diverse religious and cultural expressions.
• Students will be familiar with various cross-disciplinary approaches to the study of Judaism.

• Capacity to synthesise information presented from different angles (theological, historical, and anthropological).
• Capacity to reflect on different arguments and to evaluate them in a nuanced and sensitive way.
• Acquisition of fundamental research skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module is taught in blended lecture/seminar format, with one 90-minute session per week and 170 hours of reading and preparation time (22 sessions equalling 33 hours, approximately 200 hours total).
• The aims of the blended format are to foster lively and immediate engagement with the material taught, and to nurture students’ confidence in formulating an argument and communicating their views.
• Students will be assessed by a 1500 word book review (20%), a 2000 word essay (20%), and a 4000 word final essay (60%). The assessment methods are intended to foster independent research skills and encourage students to read widely and engage critically with a range of sources from different disciplines.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One reflective exercise on the value of interdisciplinary approaches to the study of theology and religion, which will involve a short written assignment.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University