Download 2401 Modern Judaism

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Modern Judaism
Syllabus
Description
Through the use of selected primary texts, including the writings of certain prominent Jewish
thinkers from the late eighteenth century onwards, this paper aims to acquaint students with some
of the self-understandings of Judaism at critical periods of its historical development. A selection of
the different theological responses that have emerged in Modern Judaism will be studied focusing
on the theological and practical implications for Jews and Judaism of such topics as: individual
autonomy, religious authority, revelation, gender, the Holy Land, and the Shoah. By the end of the
course, students should have developed the skills to critically assess the theological development of
contemporary Judaism. While the tutorials require students to undertake independent research and
provide an opportunity for a focused examination of the various topics under consideration, the
lectures offer more of an overview and a chance for the study of primary texts.
Aims
This paper aims to give students some insight into the development of Modern Judaism. It aims to
demonstrate how Judaism related to surrounding cultures and especially how it has responded to
the challenges of modernity and postmodernism. It seeks to help students to develop a conceptual
understanding of the thought and practice that underpin the Jewish worldview and acquire an
understanding of Judaism as the historic and evolving religious expression of the Jewish people.
Objectives
(a) The principal desired learning outcome of the course is that students will acquire an
understanding of Judaism as a living religion, in a constant state of development as it responds to
changing social and intellectual perspectives. Students should have become aware of the
complexities of contemporary Judaism encompassing a broad range of affiliations, beliefs, and
practices.
(b) They should be aware of the theological development of Judaism from around the time of the
French Revolution and onwards and have attained an understanding of the different religious
movements that have emerged in Modern Judaism.
(c) They should have attained an understanding of the differing theological viewpoints of some of
the major religious leaders associated with the modern religious movements of Judaism, including
the work of key contemporary scholars. They should also have become acquainted with and
analysed the contents of major historical documents such as the Answers to Napoleon of the Jewish
Assembly of Notables (1806) and the various Platforms of the Central Conference of American
(Reform) Rabbis.
(d) They should have considered the impact of the Shoah (Holocaust), Zionism and the creation of
the State of Israel, and issues such as feminism and environmentalism on contemporary Jewish
thought.
Delivery
8 lectures; 8 tutorials.
Assessment
is by one three-hour written examination in TT of the second year of the Honour School.
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