Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature
Syllabus Fall 2019
| 211_-_2021_fall_syllabus.pdf |
HUNTER COLLEGE ‐ HEBR.211 - Class Schedule Fall 2021
1) Thursday, 08/26/2021 Introduction
2) Monday, 08/30/2021 Origins of Christian Antisemitism
3) Thursday, 09/02/2021 Byzantine Judaism before the Advent of Islam (330‐634)
(((Monday, 09/06/2021 NO CLASS: LABOR DAY)))
4) Thursday, 09/09/2021 Byzantine Judaism after the Advent of Islam
5) Monday, 09/13/2021 Origins of Islamic "Antisemitism"
(((Thursday, 09/16/2021 NO CLASS: YOM KIPPUR / DAY OF ATONEMENT)))
Sunday, 09/19/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 1 ‐‐
6) Monday, 09/20/2021 Saadia Ga’on (882‐942) - Part 1
7) Thursday, 09/23/2021 Saadia Ga’on - Part 2
Sunday, 09/26/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 2 ‐‐
8) Tuesday, 09/28/2021 Anan ben David (715‐795), Qara’ites
9) Thursday, 09/30/2021 The Golden Age: Ḥasdái ibn Shaprūt (910‐970)
Sunday, 10/03/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3A ‐‐
10) Monday, 10/04/2021 The Golden Age: Andalusian Poetry
11) Thursday, 10/07/2021 The Golden Age: Ibn Gabirol (1021‐1071)
Sunday, 10/10/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3B ‐‐
(((Monday, 10/11/2021 NO CLASS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY)))
12) Wednesday, 10/13/2021 Christian‐Jewish Polemics
13) Thursday, 10/14/2021 The Crusades
Sunday, 10/17/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 4A ‐‐
14) Monday, 10/18/2021 Rashi (1040‐1105)
15) Thursday, 10/21/2021 Tosafot (ca. 1100 - ca. 1600)
16) Monday, 10/25/2021 Yehuda haLevi (1075‐1141) - His philosophy
17) Thursday, 10/282021 Yehuda haLevi - His poetry
Sunday, 10/31/2021 ‐‐ TAKE HOME MIDTERM EXAM ‐‐
18) Monday, 11/01/2021 Ritual Murder and Blood Libel (1st incident 1144)
19) Thursday, 11/04/2021 Ḥasidé Ashkenaz (ca. 1170-1238)
Sunday, 11/07/2021 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 1 DUE ‐‐
20) Monday, 11/08/2021 Moses Maimonides, the Philosopher (1135‐1204)
21) Thursday, 11/12/2021 Moses Maimonides, the Rabbi
Sunday, 11/14/2021 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 2 DUE ‐‐
22) Monday, 11/15/2021 Abraham Maimonides (1186-1237)
23) Thursday, 11/18/2021 The Maimonidean Controversy - Part 1
24) Monday, 11/22/2021 The Maimonidean Controversy - Part 2
(((Thursday, 11/25/2021 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)))
Sunday, 11/28/2021 ‐‐ ESSAY DUE ‐‐
25) Monday, 11/29/2021 Qabbala - Part 1
26) Thursday, 12/02/2021 Qabbala - Part 2
27) Monday, 12/06/2021 The Barcelona Disputation (1263)
28) Thursday, 12/09/2021 The New Sephardi Identity
Optional for Extra Credit: David Reubeni (1490‐1541) and Shelomo Molkho (1500‐32)
Monday, 12/13/2021 -- FINALS --
2) Monday, 08/30/2021 Origins of Christian Antisemitism
3) Thursday, 09/02/2021 Byzantine Judaism before the Advent of Islam (330‐634)
(((Monday, 09/06/2021 NO CLASS: LABOR DAY)))
4) Thursday, 09/09/2021 Byzantine Judaism after the Advent of Islam
5) Monday, 09/13/2021 Origins of Islamic "Antisemitism"
(((Thursday, 09/16/2021 NO CLASS: YOM KIPPUR / DAY OF ATONEMENT)))
Sunday, 09/19/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 1 ‐‐
6) Monday, 09/20/2021 Saadia Ga’on (882‐942) - Part 1
7) Thursday, 09/23/2021 Saadia Ga’on - Part 2
Sunday, 09/26/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 2 ‐‐
8) Tuesday, 09/28/2021 Anan ben David (715‐795), Qara’ites
9) Thursday, 09/30/2021 The Golden Age: Ḥasdái ibn Shaprūt (910‐970)
Sunday, 10/03/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3A ‐‐
10) Monday, 10/04/2021 The Golden Age: Andalusian Poetry
11) Thursday, 10/07/2021 The Golden Age: Ibn Gabirol (1021‐1071)
Sunday, 10/10/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3B ‐‐
(((Monday, 10/11/2021 NO CLASS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY)))
12) Wednesday, 10/13/2021 Christian‐Jewish Polemics
13) Thursday, 10/14/2021 The Crusades
Sunday, 10/17/2021 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 4A ‐‐
14) Monday, 10/18/2021 Rashi (1040‐1105)
15) Thursday, 10/21/2021 Tosafot (ca. 1100 - ca. 1600)
16) Monday, 10/25/2021 Yehuda haLevi (1075‐1141) - His philosophy
17) Thursday, 10/282021 Yehuda haLevi - His poetry
Sunday, 10/31/2021 ‐‐ TAKE HOME MIDTERM EXAM ‐‐
18) Monday, 11/01/2021 Ritual Murder and Blood Libel (1st incident 1144)
19) Thursday, 11/04/2021 Ḥasidé Ashkenaz (ca. 1170-1238)
Sunday, 11/07/2021 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 1 DUE ‐‐
20) Monday, 11/08/2021 Moses Maimonides, the Philosopher (1135‐1204)
21) Thursday, 11/12/2021 Moses Maimonides, the Rabbi
Sunday, 11/14/2021 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 2 DUE ‐‐
22) Monday, 11/15/2021 Abraham Maimonides (1186-1237)
23) Thursday, 11/18/2021 The Maimonidean Controversy - Part 1
24) Monday, 11/22/2021 The Maimonidean Controversy - Part 2
(((Thursday, 11/25/2021 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)))
Sunday, 11/28/2021 ‐‐ ESSAY DUE ‐‐
25) Monday, 11/29/2021 Qabbala - Part 1
26) Thursday, 12/02/2021 Qabbala - Part 2
27) Monday, 12/06/2021 The Barcelona Disputation (1263)
28) Thursday, 12/09/2021 The New Sephardi Identity
Optional for Extra Credit: David Reubeni (1490‐1541) and Shelomo Molkho (1500‐32)
Monday, 12/13/2021 -- FINALS --
Hunter College
Department of Classical and Oriental Studies
Division of Hebrew and Hebraic Studies
Hebrew 211 Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature Fall 2021
Mondays and Thursdays 9:45 - 11:00 AM
Professor Sjimon den Hollander
Office Hours: By Appointment
PH: (917) 805-6234
Email: Sjimon@FlatironRE.com
Website: www.SjimonDenHollander.com
Course Description
This course will present a survey of Hebrew writings from the Middle Ages. It will address the different genres of Jewish literature and their historical contexts, both from Jewish communities in Islamic lands as well as from those in Christian domains.
Course Objectives
Class Attendance Policy
Normal class attendance policies are suspended in light of the pandemic. You are encouraged to log in during the sessions and participate in the class with questions and discussions. If you are unable to participate live, you will be required to watch the – recorded – class later.
Code of Courtesy
Sign in on time. Give the professor your full attention. Have paper and a pen or a pencil ready. Remain logged in until the class ends. Never hesitate to ask a question, express a doubt, or request clarification.
Assigned Texts:
Further Expectations
ASSIGNMENTS AND PERCENTAGES OF TOTAL GRADE:
Attendance and Participation (5%)
Midterm Exam (25%) The exam will be a take-home exam and will cover material from the provided sources as well as from the lectures, covering through session 13 on Abraham Maimonides.
Final Exam (25%) The final exam will cover material from the second half of the course.
Written Assignment (15%) You are to write a clear excerpt of two assigned paragraphs from: Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500 (provided on Blackboard in PDF). As this text is somewhat dense at times, you will be required to understand the text well, research anything that is unclear, and explain/rewrite the paragraphs so that anyone can understand it. This will be part of a joint project in which each student will be assigned a section of the book. Be concise with your words but cover the main contents as fully as possible.
Essay (15%) You are to write an essay on a topic of choice from the course, using information given in the class and in the provided sources related to that topic.
This paper counts for 20% of your final grade. Your paper should be between three and four pages in length (double spaced). The paper should be related to one of the discussed topics.
Both paper and assignment must be sent in Word or PDF to my email address: sjimon@flatironre.com before the end of the day on which the assignment is due.
Book Exam (15%) This exam will be on assigned chapters of Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Further details will be discussed in class.
Opportunities for Students:
Students of Jewish Studies at Hunter College have various opportunities to receive scholarships and merit-based awards to support their studies at Hunter, as well as in Israel.
In addition, the College offers financial award and recognition each year to students who have prepared exemplary essays or writing for a professor teaching courses in Hebrew, Hebraic or Jewish Studies. To see the application instructions, please choose this link:
https://hunter.cuny.edu/artsci/jewish-studies-center/jewish-studies/scholarships-and-prizes
Office Hours: By Appointment
PH: (917) 805-6234
Email: Sjimon@FlatironRE.com
Website: www.SjimonDenHollander.com
Course Description
This course will present a survey of Hebrew writings from the Middle Ages. It will address the different genres of Jewish literature and their historical contexts, both from Jewish communities in Islamic lands as well as from those in Christian domains.
Course Objectives
- Students will gain a familiarity with the different literary genres of Jewish writings from the Middle Ages.
- Students will develop the skill of critical textual reading.
- Students will learn how historical context is important in understanding texts and writings.
- Students will develop the ability to compare texts from different periods and learn to identify common themes and types of writing.
Class Attendance Policy
Normal class attendance policies are suspended in light of the pandemic. You are encouraged to log in during the sessions and participate in the class with questions and discussions. If you are unable to participate live, you will be required to watch the – recorded – class later.
Code of Courtesy
Sign in on time. Give the professor your full attention. Have paper and a pen or a pencil ready. Remain logged in until the class ends. Never hesitate to ask a question, express a doubt, or request clarification.
Assigned Texts:
- Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Cambridge University Press, 2006 (will be provided!)
- Blackboard Site
Further Expectations
- Students are expected to attend all lectures on time, participate actively and to refrain from talking, passing notes or text messaging while class is in session.
- Readings are to be completed before class on the day for which they are assigned.
- The CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity will be strictly enforced. Any violation of these regulations, including acts of plagiarism or cheating will be dealt with on an individual basis according to the severity of the misconduct.
- Finally, it is your responsibility to be alert and pay attention to announcements in this class.
The syllabus, the sequence of lectures and the nature of the assigned work are all subject to change.
ASSIGNMENTS AND PERCENTAGES OF TOTAL GRADE:
Attendance and Participation (5%)
Midterm Exam (25%) The exam will be a take-home exam and will cover material from the provided sources as well as from the lectures, covering through session 13 on Abraham Maimonides.
Final Exam (25%) The final exam will cover material from the second half of the course.
Written Assignment (15%) You are to write a clear excerpt of two assigned paragraphs from: Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500 (provided on Blackboard in PDF). As this text is somewhat dense at times, you will be required to understand the text well, research anything that is unclear, and explain/rewrite the paragraphs so that anyone can understand it. This will be part of a joint project in which each student will be assigned a section of the book. Be concise with your words but cover the main contents as fully as possible.
Essay (15%) You are to write an essay on a topic of choice from the course, using information given in the class and in the provided sources related to that topic.
This paper counts for 20% of your final grade. Your paper should be between three and four pages in length (double spaced). The paper should be related to one of the discussed topics.
Both paper and assignment must be sent in Word or PDF to my email address: sjimon@flatironre.com before the end of the day on which the assignment is due.
Book Exam (15%) This exam will be on assigned chapters of Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Further details will be discussed in class.
Opportunities for Students:
Students of Jewish Studies at Hunter College have various opportunities to receive scholarships and merit-based awards to support their studies at Hunter, as well as in Israel.
In addition, the College offers financial award and recognition each year to students who have prepared exemplary essays or writing for a professor teaching courses in Hebrew, Hebraic or Jewish Studies. To see the application instructions, please choose this link:
https://hunter.cuny.edu/artsci/jewish-studies-center/jewish-studies/scholarships-and-prizes