Universität Wien
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010051 VO Contemporary Judaism (2020W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Katholische Theologie

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes

DI 06.10.2020 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 13.10.2020 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 20.10.2020 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 27.10.2020 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 03.11.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 10.11.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 17.11.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 24.11.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 01.12.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 15.12.2020 13.15-14.45 Digital
DI 12.01.2021 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 19.01.2021 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5
DI 26.01.2021 13.15-14.45 Hörsaal 6 Franz König, Tiefparterre Hauptgebäude Stiege 9 Hof 5


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Aim: The course aims for the students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of current Judaism in all its diversity; not as a historical or theological phenomenon but as a living religion with plural forms and vibrant communities.

Description: The course will deal with current Jewish life in various perspectives: sociological, ethnographical, theological, textual etc. Focus will be laid on the construction of the various Jewish identities through Jewish Law, institutions, liturgy, rituals etc.

Jewish self-identity will also be examined via the various ways Jewish groups deal with setting boundaries between Jews and non-Jews (by defining processes as conversion and apostasy) as well as between themselves (by defining processes such as affiliation, intensification and weaning of religiosity).

The ethnic aspects of Jewish identity will be examined in regards to various groups: Ashkenazi, Mizrachi, Sephardi etc. This aspect will also be dealt with as it relates to Jewish peoplehood in the Diaspora, especially the USA, and the modern state of Israel.

The theological/cultic aspects of Jewish identity will be dealt with in regards to the various current religious denominations: ultra-Orthodox, Chasidic and Litvak, modern and open Orthodoxy, Conservative and Reconstructionist, Reform and Humanistic. These denominations will be examined via their ethical and legal writings as well as their institutions.

Method: The course will use Frontal teaching as well Chevrutah learning methodology to learn modern Jewish texts from central figures (such as Kook, Soloveichik, Ovadia, Heshel, Echad Ha'am etc) as well as a walking tour to enhance the learning experience and stress its current relevance.

Assessment and permitted materials

Written test (100%)

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

An interest in different disciplinary approaches to religion; no knowledge of foreign languages is required apart from a good command of English; all readings will be in English.
The assessment will be based on the quality of the written test.
In order to pass the oral assessment, a minimum of half of the exam questions need to be answered correctly.

Examination topics

Lecture content as well as the texts studied in class.

Reading list

Tworuschka, Monika, and Tworuschka, Udo. Judentum. [Rheda-Wiedenbrück U.a.] [Wien]: RM-Buch-und-Medien-Vertrieb [Buchgemeinschaft Donauland U.a.], 2007. Print. Die Welt Der Religionen.

Śagiʾ, Avraham, and Tsevi Zohar. Transforming Identity : The Ritual Transition from Gentile to Jew - Structure and Meaning. 1. Publ., Repr.. ed. London [u.a.]: Continuum, 2009. Print. The Kogod Library of Judaic Studies ; 3.

Kaplan, Dana Evans, and Kaplan, Dana Evan. American Reform Judaism : : An Introduction. Piscataway :: Rutgers UP, 2003. Web.

Meyuhas Ginio, Alisa. Between Sepharad and Jerusalem : : History, Identity and Memory of the Sephardim. Leiden ; Boston :: Brill, 2014. The Iberian Religious World ; ; Volume 1. Web.

Schwartz, Dov. The Religious Genius in Rabbi Kook's Thought : : National "Saint"? Boston :: Academic Studies, 2014. Reference Library of Jewish Intellectual History Ser. Web.

Soloveitchik, Joseph Dov. The Lonely Man of Faith. New York, NY [u.a.]: Three Leaves [u.a.], 2006. Print.

Kaplan, Mordecai. Judaism as a Civilization : Toward a Reconstruction of American-Jewish Life. Dulles, VA, USA: Jewish Publication Society, 1980. Web.

Association in the course directory

066 800 M1.6; M15

Last modified: Mo 06.05.2024 00:09