Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature
Syllabus Fall 2024
| 211_-_2024_fall_syllabus.pdf |
HUNTER COLLEGE ‐ HEBR.211 - Class Schedule Fall 2024
Thursday, 08/29/2024 Introduction
(((Monday, 09/02/2023 NO CLASS: LABOR DAY)))
1) Thursday, 09/05/2024 Origins of Christian Anti-Jewish Attitudes
2) Monday, 09/09/2024 Origins of Islamic Anti-Jewish Attitudes
3) Thursday, 09/12/2024 Byzantine Judaism before the Advent of Islam (330‐634)
Sunday, 09/15/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 1
4) Monday, 09/16/2024 Byzantine Judaism after the Advent of Islam
5) Thursday, 09/19/2024 Saadia Ga’on (882‐942) – Part 1
Sunday, 09/22/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 2
6) Monday, 09/23/2024 Saadia Ga’on – Part 2
7) Thursday, 09/26/2024 Saadia Ga’on – Part 3
Sunday, 09/29/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3A
8) Monday, 09/30/2024 Anan ben David (715‐795), Qara’ites
(((Thursday, 10/03/2024 NO CLASS: ROSH HASHANA – JEWISH NEW YEAR 5785)))
Sunday, 10/06/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 3B
9) Monday, 10/07/2024 The Golden Age: Ḥasdái ibn Shaprút (910‐970)
10) Thursday, 10/10/2024 The Golden Age: Andalusian Poetry
Sunday, 10/13/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 4A
(((Monday, 10/14/2024 NO CLASS: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY)))
11) Tuesday, 10/15/2024 The Golden Age: Ibn Gabirol (1021‐1071)
(((Thursday, 10/17/2024 NO CLASS: SUKKOT)))
Sunday, 10/20/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 4B
12) Monday, 10/21/2024 The Crusades
(((Thursday, 10/24/2024 NO CLASS: SHEMINI ‘ATZÈRET)))
Sunday, 10/27/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 5A
13) Monday, 10/28/2024 Rashi (1040‐1105) and the Tosafists (ca. 1100 - ca. 1600)
14) Thursday, 10/31/2024 Yehuda haLevi, his Philosophy (1075‐1141)
Sunday, 11/03/2024 ‐‐ TAKE HOME MIDTERM EXAM
15) Monday, 11/04/2024 Yehuda haLevi, his Poetry
16) Thursday, 11/07/2024 Ḥasidé Ashkenaz (ca. 1170-1238)
Sunday, 11/10/2024 ‐‐ BOOK EXAM - CHAPTER 5B
17) Monday, 11/11/2024 Ritual Murder and Blood Libel (1st incident 1144)
18) Thursday, 11/14/2024 Qabbala, Part 1
Sunday, 11/17/2024 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 1 DUE
19) Monday, 11/18/2024 Qabbala, Part 2
20) Thursday, 11/21/2024 Moses Maimonides, the Philosopher (1135‐1204)
Sunday, 11/24/2024 ‐‐ PARAGRAPH 2 DUE
21) Monday, 11/25/2024 Moses Maimonides, the Rabbi
(((Thursday, 11/28/2024 NO CLASS: THANKSGIVING)))
Sunday, 12/01/2024 ‐‐ ESSAY DUE
22) Monday, 12/02/2024 Moses Maimonides, the Mystic
23) Thursday, 12/05/2024 Abraham Maimonides (1186‐1237)
24) Monday, 12/09/2024 The Barcelona Disputation
25) Thursday, 12/12/2024 The New Sephardi Identity
Monday, 12/16/2024 -- FINALS --
Hunter College
Department of Classical and Oriental Studies
Division of Hebrew and Hebraic Studies
Hebrew 211 Masterpieces of Medieval Hebrew Literature Fall 2024
Mondays and Thursdays 10:00 - 11:15 AM
Mondays and Thursdays 10:00 - 11:15 AM
Hunter West - Room 509A
Professor Sjimon den Hollander
Office Hours: By Appointment
PH: (917) 805-6234
Email: [email protected]
Website link: www.sjimondenhollander.com/medieval-hebrew-texts-course.html
Introduction
My name is Professor Sjimon den Hollander. (My last name is den Hollander, not Hollander!)
I grew up in the Netherlands and moved to New York in the year 2000.
My background is somewhat unusual. I grew up as a (Protestant) Christian, I studied Arabic and Islam at Leiden University, converted to Judaism, and received a rabbinical degree at Yeshiva University.
For those who would like to read a bit more about my background, I described it on my website: www.sjimondenhollander.com/my-journey-to-judaism.html
I plan to post useful information on this website.
The link is: www.sjimondenhollander.com/medieval-hebrew-texts.html
You can find the Syllabus there and other vital information.
Contacting me
I will look at my hunter email address, but a faster way to contact me is through: [email protected]. In cases of emergency, you can call or text me on my cell phone: 917-805-6234
Or you can send me a message through: www.sjimondenhollander.com/contact.html
Please send me your preferred email address and (for urgent circumstances) your cell phone number.
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
Even though I would hope to see you every single session, things can come up that prevent you from coming. Therefore, if you have good reasons, five absences during the course will not negatively affect your grade. If for any reason you end up missing more than five classes, there will be a deduction of your grade. However, you can get your full credit back by writing a paper for every missed topic.
Code of Courtesy
Arrive on time with your cell phone or smart phone turned off. Give the professor your full attention. Please bring paper and a pen or a pencil. You are not allowed to use your computers or tablets for taking notes. Remain in the room until the lecture or section ends. Conduct yourself in a manner respectful to all present. Never hesitate to ask a question, to express a doubt, or to request clarification.
Assigned Texts:
Further Expectations
ASSIGNMENTS AND PERCENTAGES OF TOTAL GRADE:
Absences and Use of Electronic Devices (10%):
Attendance on time and staying away from electronic devices accounts for 10% of your final grade.
Attendance: Even though I would hope to see you every single session, things can come up that prevent you from coming. Therefore, if you have good reasons, five absences during the course will not negatively affect your grade. If for any reason you end up missing more than five classes, there will be a deduction
of your grade. However, you can get your full credit back through compensatory assignments.
No Electronic Devices: There are several reasons why I do not allow the use of electronics in the classroom. Here are some important ones:
A) Research has shown that students who take notes in longhand perform better on quizzes and exams than those who take notes on laptops, etc. It turns out that taking notes by hand results in better understanding of the material. This partially has to do with brain-movement synchronicity.
B) As you cannot write down everything you hear in class by hand, your brain must comprehend, analyze, and process the information while taking notes in order to summarize in your head and write down the main points and facts, choose important data, and drop irrelevant details. This is already half the study!
C) In order to teach to the best of my abilities, I need eye contact to get a feeling if things are understood or if they go over your heads, if am I too fast or too slow, funny, or annoying. In other words, seeing your faces gives me necessary feedback!!
D) No one is perfect. Electronic devices are huge distractors, and we all fall into their temptations.
Book Exam (20% of your final grade) 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. This exam will be broken down into smaller sections.
Midterm Exam (20%) The exam will be a take-home exam and will cover material from the provided sources as well as from the lectures.
Written Assignments (30%)
A) You are to reword two assigned paragraphs from: Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500 (provided on my website) (10% each). 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 into a more accessible text. 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 contents as fully as possible. Both rewritten paragraphs must be sent in Word or PDF to my email address: [email protected] before the end of the day on which the assignment is due.
As college students, you are expected to write with correct spelling and proper grammar.
Based on mistakes that I have encountered in past semesters, I have composed a manual with points that you should closely pay attention to while rewriting your paragraph. If you use that manual well, it will help you produce better essays, not just for this course, but for others as well!
B) An essay to be written on one of the topics covered in this course. Guidelines for the essay will be given. (10%)
Final Exam (20%) The final exam will cover material from the second half of the course.
Opportunities for Students:
Information to follow.
Robert Seltzer Lunches:
Information to follow.
Hunter West - Room 509A
Professor Sjimon den Hollander
Office Hours: By Appointment
PH: (917) 805-6234
Email: [email protected]
Website link: www.sjimondenhollander.com/medieval-hebrew-texts-course.html
Introduction
My name is Professor Sjimon den Hollander. (My last name is den Hollander, not Hollander!)
I grew up in the Netherlands and moved to New York in the year 2000.
My background is somewhat unusual. I grew up as a (Protestant) Christian, I studied Arabic and Islam at Leiden University, converted to Judaism, and received a rabbinical degree at Yeshiva University.
For those who would like to read a bit more about my background, I described it on my website: www.sjimondenhollander.com/my-journey-to-judaism.html
I plan to post useful information on this website.
The link is: www.sjimondenhollander.com/medieval-hebrew-texts.html
You can find the Syllabus there and other vital information.
Contacting me
I will look at my hunter email address, but a faster way to contact me is through: [email protected]. In cases of emergency, you can call or text me on my cell phone: 917-805-6234
Or you can send me a message through: www.sjimondenhollander.com/contact.html
Please send me your preferred email address and (for urgent circumstances) your cell phone number.
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.
- Students will gain insight in interreligious relations during the Middle Ages.
Class Attendance Policy
Even though I would hope to see you every single session, things can come up that prevent you from coming. Therefore, if you have good reasons, five absences during the course will not negatively affect your grade. If for any reason you end up missing more than five classes, there will be a deduction of your grade. However, you can get your full credit back by writing a paper for every missed topic.
Code of Courtesy
Arrive on time with your cell phone or smart phone turned off. Give the professor your full attention. Please bring paper and a pen or a pencil. You are not allowed to use your computers or tablets for taking notes. Remain in the room until the lecture or section ends. Conduct yourself in a manner respectful to all present. Never hesitate to ask a question, to express a doubt, or to request clarification.
Assigned Texts:
- Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2006 (will be provided!)
- Blackboard Site
- Information on my website: www.sjimondenhollander.com/medieval-hebrew-texts-course.html
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:
Absences and Use of Electronic Devices (10%):
Attendance on time and staying away from electronic devices accounts for 10% of your final grade.
Attendance: Even though I would hope to see you every single session, things can come up that prevent you from coming. Therefore, if you have good reasons, five absences during the course will not negatively affect your grade. If for any reason you end up missing more than five classes, there will be a deduction
of your grade. However, you can get your full credit back through compensatory assignments.
No Electronic Devices: There are several reasons why I do not allow the use of electronics in the classroom. Here are some important ones:
A) Research has shown that students who take notes in longhand perform better on quizzes and exams than those who take notes on laptops, etc. It turns out that taking notes by hand results in better understanding of the material. This partially has to do with brain-movement synchronicity.
B) As you cannot write down everything you hear in class by hand, your brain must comprehend, analyze, and process the information while taking notes in order to summarize in your head and write down the main points and facts, choose important data, and drop irrelevant details. This is already half the study!
C) In order to teach to the best of my abilities, I need eye contact to get a feeling if things are understood or if they go over your heads, if am I too fast or too slow, funny, or annoying. In other words, seeing your faces gives me necessary feedback!!
D) No one is perfect. Electronic devices are huge distractors, and we all fall into their temptations.
Book Exam (20% of your final grade) 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. This exam will be broken down into smaller sections.
Midterm Exam (20%) The exam will be a take-home exam and will cover material from the provided sources as well as from the lectures.
Written Assignments (30%)
A) You are to reword two assigned paragraphs from: Robert Chazan, The Jews of Medieval Western Christendom: 1000-1500 (provided on my website) (10% each). 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 into a more accessible text. 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 contents as fully as possible. Both rewritten paragraphs must be sent in Word or PDF to my email address: [email protected] before the end of the day on which the assignment is due.
As college students, you are expected to write with correct spelling and proper grammar.
Based on mistakes that I have encountered in past semesters, I have composed a manual with points that you should closely pay attention to while rewriting your paragraph. If you use that manual well, it will help you produce better essays, not just for this course, but for others as well!
B) An essay to be written on one of the topics covered in this course. Guidelines for the essay will be given. (10%)
Final Exam (20%) The final exam will cover material from the second half of the course.
Opportunities for Students:
Information to follow.
Robert Seltzer Lunches:
Information to follow.