CCIV326

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CCIV326

Moses: Rabbi, Savior, Leader and Culture Hero CCIV326 FA

Crosslistings: RELI326

Next Offered in 9899 FA

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 socio-cultural milieux which 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: Discussion Lecture Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA CLAS

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-10-1997

About the Photo:

Moses receiving The Commandments as depicted in THE SARAJEVO HAGGADAH

Reference:

Wigoder, Geoffrey, JEWISH ART AND CIVILIZATION, New York: Walker and Co., 1972

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