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Academic Year 2000/2001

Moses: Rabbi, Savior, Leader and Culture Hero
CCIV 326 FA
Crosslistings:
RELI 326
Clusters:
Christian Studies

Through an exploration of the figure of Moses as he was depicted in pagan, Christian, and Jewish sources, and as he has been interpreted by contemporary secular thinkers, we shall seek to arrive at an understanding of one of the first heroes of the Western tradition and sociocultural milieux that produced and then appropriated him. Class lectures throughout the semester will present background material in history, culture and society. Class discussion will focus on the interpretation of the Moses saga in different cultures and on the difference between the religious and political conceptions of Moses as a hero.

MAJOR READINGS

Segal, REBECCA'S CHILDREN: JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY IN THE ROMAN WORLD BOOK OF EXODUS Sarna, EXPLORING EXODUS Buber, MOSES Gager, MOSES IN GRECO-ROMAN PAGANISM Josephus, JEWISH ANTIQUITIES Philo, LIFE OF MOSES GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW Gregory of Nyssa, LIFE OF MOSES HAGGADAH Freud, MOSES AND MONOTHEISM Walzer, EXODUS AND REVOLUTION Wildavsky, THE NURSING FATHER, MOSES AS A POLITICAL LEADER Sermons/Letters from the Afro-American experience

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Essay midterm, essay final, final paper (10 pp)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Preparation of the assignment and class attendance is required for all class meetings. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA CLAS    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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