PHL 324/REL 383 |
Office Hours in RH-428 (445-4489) |
Philosophies of Judaism |
MWF 9:35 a.m. - 10:20 a.m. |
Spring 2012 |
and by appointment. |
Prof. Michael Kagan |
Email: kagan@lemoyne.ed |
We will consider a variety of Jewish philosophical responses to fundamental problems and concerns including human nature, faiths/reasons controversies, theories of revelation, existential and feminist Jewish philosophies. Be willing to struggle with difficult philosophical texts and issues. Requirements include participation, attendance, successful completion of a presentation on at least one of the readings and a final project to be agreed upon with the instructor.
(A) To examine a variety of Jewish philosophical tendencies as responses to fundamental crises and challenges. The course will focus on several paradigmatic philosophies of Judaism in terms of the following:
1.
The human person (philosophical anthropology)
2. Revelation and obligation
3. Theology
4. Jewish Identity and Existence;
(B)
encourage sensitivity
to the influence and importance of gender and culture in the
development of
these philosophies;
(C) challenge students to closely and critically examine a Jewish
philosophical
work in depth, report on the results of that examination and respond to
it in
light of their own philosophical religious orientations.
There are also some other required readings on reserve in the library, as indicated in the syllabus and class discussions.
Other Texts (Final projects may be based on any of the following)
The aims of this course are intended to be met through lectures, discussion, preparation and completion of short writings, and preparation and presentation of the final project.
(1)
Carefully read the assigned texts. Be prepared to
discuss the readings in class. I recommend that you always bring your
Bible and
the reading assignment to class. Participation counts for
25%; in class
writing assignments will be figured into this part of the
grade.
(2) Prepare short writings on the reading assignments. The
short writings
count for 25% of your grade.
(3) Prepare and present on one of the readings for class. (25%)
(4) Complete and be prepared to present a final project. (25%)
Grades
are based on a 10 point scale as follows:
90-100 - 'A' range (97-100 = A+; 94-96=A; 90-93=A-).
80-89 - 'B' range (87-89 = B+; 84-86=B; 80-83=B-).
70-79 - 'C' range (77-79 = C+; 74-76=C; 70-73=C-).
60-69 - 'D' range (67-69 = D+; 64-66=D; 60-63=D-).
Below 60 - 'F'.
Failure to complete any of
(1)-(4) can result in a failing grade. Plagiarism
will result in a failing grade.
ABOUT SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: You are to select and complete six of the twelve short writing assignments (the average of the top 5 will count for this part of your grade). A reading question is given along with each assignment. Unless otherwise indicated, please answer the reading question in less than one TYPED page (all assignments, except in-class writings, are to be typed).Make sure you are working with the current version of this syllabus.
STUDENT
PRESENTATIONS: For reading and project
presentations, you will be required to turn in an outline or
abstract of
your presentation, complete
with a list of all works used. Also, if you use any web pages, not only
should
these be listed on the outline with the rest of your bibliography, but
you are
also required to turn in a printout of all web pages used in preparing
the
presentation. If your group divides the work into separate parts, each
member
of the group will need to provide his or her own outline/abstract and
printouts. Outlines/abstracts, and printouts are to be given to me BEFORE
the presentation. Failure to do so BEFORE
the presentation
will result in a 30% deduction from the relevant presenter's
presentation
grade. If the outline and printouts are not turned in by the next
class, there
will be an additional 30% deduction. You
may use up to but not more than
5 minutes of videotaped material for your presentation.
If the class is
meeting in a room with a built-in VCR, make sure you know how to use
it. If you
need to bring in a VCR for the presentation, you may order one from AV
by
calling 445-4380 or on the web at http://www.lemoyne.edu/information_systems/audio_visual/class.html
In the event of a technical glitch or delivery problem make sure you
can
present without the videotaped material.
STUDENT PRESENTATIONS ON READINGS: All
students are expected to do all
readings and to share their understanding with one another in class
discussions
by leading their own and participating in other students' presentations
on the
various readings. Student presentations on readings begin the second
week of
class, and will be scheduled during the first week. The subtopics will
be
divided up into student groups whose size will be determined by the
class size.
Remember:
You have less than an hour to
present. Focus on the aspects your group finds most interesting and
important.
Do not try to cover everything. Your presentation will be improved if
you make
it easier for others to participate. (Please try to help others'
presentations
by participating!) Please feel free to meet with me to discuss your
presentations. If you don't find me on campus, you are welcome to call
me at
home before 8:00 PM. YOU CAN
ALWAYS LEAVE A VOICE MAIL MESSAGE AT 445-4489.
SPECIAL
NEEDS
In coordination with the Academic
Support Center (ASC),
reasonable accommodations are
provided for qualified students with disabilities. Please register with
the ASC
Office for disability verification and determination of reasonable
accommodations. After receiving your accommodation form from the ASC,
you will
need to make an appointment with me to review the form and discuss your
needs.
Please make every attempt to meet with me within the first week of
class so
your accommodations can be provided in a timely manner. You can either
stop by
the ASC, Library, 1st floor, or call (445-4118-voice or 445-4104-TDD)
to make
an appointment.
IMPORTANT
DATES:
No class or office hours on the following dates: Mar. 5-9,
Spring
Break; Apr. 5-9,
Easter
Break.
Last day of class: May. 7 (Mon.). PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE
MON,
MAR. 19. WRITTEN PROJECTS DUE: MON., APR. 16.
CLOSINGS/CANCELLATIONS
If campus/dorms are closed due to flu or other circumstances, my intent is that the course continue. Assignments continue to be due by email. Presentations will be replaced by papers, virtual presentations, or extended descriptions of presentations. In addition to notes and group work already available there on-line, I will post updates, lecture notes, etc., to my Le Moyne College website at http://webserver.lemoyne.edu/~kagan/index.html
As at other times, if your situation results in your needing an extension, please let me know. Also, if internet service is down or there are other infrastructure problems, please complete the assignments and turn them in when services are restored.
#1 (Mon., Jan. 23) Introduce course, choose groups and schedule presentations on readings.
#2 (Wed., Jan 25) IN CLASS WRITING #1: Write a brief (less than 1 page) essay or outline describing your knowledge of and experience(s) with Judaism(s), and what you would like to learn from your work in this course.
#3 (Fri., Jan. 27) Introduction of some biblical perspectives. Read Rivkin, pp. 1-48 ("Patriarchs and Prophets" and "The Revolution of the Aaronides"). Read the book of Genesis, Chs. 1 to 23, and chs. 37-50.
#4 (Mon., Jan. 30) Text and commentary. Read Rivkin, pp. 49-99 ("The Pharisaic Revolution" and ""Heirs of the Pharisees").
#5 (Wed., Feb. 1 Text and commentary. Read Rivkin, pp. 100-126.
*#6 (Fri., Feb. 3) Students present on issues suggested by the texts from Genesis. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #1( ALL SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE THE DATE OF THE RESPECTIVE STUDENT PRESENTATION ): Describe God's relationship(s) to people in the book of Genesis? How does this change? What does Rivkin's analysis suggest about this?
#7 (Mon., Feb. 6) Read the books of Exodus, chs. 1-15.
#8 (Wed., Feb. 8) Read the book of Exodus, chs. 16-34, and Ch. 40.
*#9 (Fri.., Feb. 10). Read the book of Esther, and read Plaskow, pp. 114-117 ("Dealing with the Hard Stuff), pp. 128-133 ("Beyond Egalitarianism") and pp. 152-156 ("Preaching Against the Text"). SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #2: How, if at all, have the relationships between people and God changed (from what we read in Genesis and Exodus) in the book of Esther? Students present on Esther.
#10, (Mon., Feb. 13) Philosophical Theology and Medieval Jewish Philosophy. Read Plaskow, pp. 121-123 ("God: Some Feminist Questions" and pp. 124-127 ("'It is Not in Heaven' Feminism and Religious Authority"). Read Rivkin, pp. 126-167 ("Medieval Ways to Salvation").
#11 (Wed., Feb. 15) TBA, please bring texts and questions to class.
*#12 (Fri., Feb. 17) Read the book of Ecclesiastes. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #3: What problem is bothering the author of Ecclesiastes? Students present on Ecclesiastes.
#13 (Mon., Feb 20) Instructor presents on some views about the after-life in the development of Judaism..
#14 (Wed. Feb 22) Lecture on secret writing and Strauss. Read Strauss's Introduction (Ch. 1, pp. 7-21) and title essay (Ch. 2, pp. 22-38). Read Guide., pp. 1-37.
#15 (Fri., Feb, 24). Read Guide., Pages 59-120. Read Strauss, Ch. 3. Bring Strauss, Guide., and Bible to class.
#16 (Mon., Feb 27) Bring Strauss, Guide., and Bible to class. IN CLASS WRITING #2: Find a text in Strauss or the Bible readings we have read that make sense to interpret as secret writing. Explain why, and how we might interpret them.
*#17 (Wed., Feb. 29) Read Guide, 212-250. Bring Strauss, Guide., and Bible to class. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #4: Who is Maimonides' audience? Students present on Maimonides' life, projects, and multiple careers.
*#18 (Fri., Mar. 2) Read Guide, 307-397. Bring Strauss, Guide., and Bible to class. Students present on Guide, pp. 307-397. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #5: According to Maimonides, how do the best persons conduct their lives? How does this square with his own biography?
Mar. 5-9, Spring Break
#19 (Mon., Mar. 12) Please bring texts and questions to class.
*#20 (Wed., Mar. 14) Read Rivkin, Ch. IX, "The Road to Auschwitz" (pp. 244-251) Wiesel on hope and responsibility. Read Day. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #6: What problem faces the protagonist in Day? How does this and related problems affect our lives today? Note: You are welcome to do this within one page if you can, but, for this assignment, the page limit is extended to 3 TYPED pages. Students present on Day.
#21 (Fri., Mar. 16). Read Buber's Way of Man According to the Teachings of the Hasidim. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #7: Using the text to support your thesis, explain what you think to be the problem that is bothering Buber. Do you think this is an important problem? Why or why not?
#22 (Mon., Mar. 19). PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE. Buber - texts and discussion. Read "Split Light," from Goldstein's Travellers in Magic.
#23 (Wed., Mar. 21) . Rivkin on responsibility after the Holocaust. Read Rivkin, Ch. X, "The Road from Auschwitz" (pp. 252-281) and Ch. XI, "Postlude: The Present and Beyond" (pp. 282-327) . Read "Alfred," from Goldstein's Travellers in Magic.
#24 (Fri., Mar. 23) Instructor presents on Schwarzschild on responsibility after the Holocaust. Read Schwarzschild's Ch. 4, "On the Theology of Jewish Survival" (pp. 83-98, and pp. 278-284, and Ch 12, "Modern Jewish Philosophy" in Pursuit of the Ideal, pp. 229-233 [on reserve in library]). SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #8: How does Rivkin or Schwarzschild think we should live in a post-holocaust world? Why?
#25 (Mon., Mar. 26). Read Plaskow and Berman, pp. 1-19 (the foreword and the introduction, "Intersections"), pp. 35-55 ("The Jewish Feminist: Conflict in Identities" and "Male Theology and Women's Experience") and pp. 65-80 ("Jewish Theology in Feminist Perspective") SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #9 (3 page maximum): What are the basic problems Plaskow addresses in this book? How did she become aware of them?
*#26 (Wed., Mar. 28) Students present on selections from Plaskow and Berman, Part II ("The Complexity of Interlocking Oppressions," pp 89-117) Read Plaskow and Berman, pp. 89-93 ("Christian Feminism and Anti-Judaism"), pp. 94-99 ("Anti-Semitism: The Unacknowledged Racism"), pp. 100-109 ("Feminist Anti-Judaism and the Christian God"), and pp. 110-113 ("Jewish Anti-Paganism."). Review "Dealing with the Hard Stuff" (pp. 114-117) SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #10: What kind of challenge does Plaskow address here, and how does she recommend we respond?(3 page maximum).
*#27 (Fri., Mar. 30) Read Kamenetz, Chs. 1- 12 (up to and including "JUBUs in America"). Students present on Kamenetz's life, projects, and multiple careers.
#28 (Mon., Apr. 2) Read Kamenetz, Chs. 13- 17 (up to and including " Survival Strategies") SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #11 (2 page maximum): What is the basic problem faced by the Jews in this book? What is the basic problem faced by the Tibetans?
#29 (Wed., Apr. 4) Read Kushner's Kabbalah, to page 104. Project presentations scheduled.
Apr. 5-9, Easter Break.
# 30 (Wed., Apr. 11) Finish reading Kushner. SHORT WRITING ASSIGNMENT #12: Write 3 questions about this book. Would you like them answered? Why or why not?
**#31 Apr.13-May 4. Final project presentations begin. Written projects due Mon., April. 16. These reports are to be between 10 and 15 minutes in length; more time will be allotted to students working in groups.
**(May 7, last day of class). TBA. Make-up presentations. Course evaluations, if not already done.
If
Dolphy day
occurs during our class time, class will be held.