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Crosslistings: RELI 262 |
This course explores Jewish history on the eve of modernity and in the modern era. The modern Jewish experience has often been characterized as an era of increasing participation of Jews in the civil society, and was
juxtaposed to the "premodern" era of the ghettoes. This course will explore these dichotomous stereotypes, and introduce students to the complexity of the Jews' experience, their active involvement in the political and
cultural
processes that were taking place in the "non-Jewish" environment. As in HIST 247, we will see Jews as a part of the social and cultural fabric, rather than an "alienated minority" whose history is separate from that of
their surroundings. We'll explore the transformations from a traditional society, defined by religious identities, into a modern society, of complex religious, ethnic, political identities. We'll look at the acceptance
of and resistance to the new ideas brought by the Enlightenment, and explore the consequences
of secularization of the society, including the rise of modern anti-Semitism, Jewish nationalism, Zionism, questions of
women
and gender, migrations etc. The course will require regular attendance and intensive reading of both primary and secondary sources.
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion
Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS HIST Grading Mode: Student Option
Prerequisites: NONE
Last Updated on MAR-30-2006
Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459