Office hours:

 MW 2:00-3:30 pm

 or by appointment

 349 SC;

 tel. 346-4980,

In this course we will study the history and literature, and cultural and religious life of Jews from the Biblical period to the completion of the Babylonian Talmud and the triumph of rabbinic Judaism (roughly until the 7th c. CE). We will survey the foundational biblical heritage, with an emphasis on how these traditions are reinterpreted as Jews adapt to new settings. Attention will be paid to key institutions and ideas as well as rituals and social and family life.

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• describe the broad outlines of Jewish history from the Babylonian exile to the rabbinic period, and understand the religious, historical, and cultural processes that shaped Judaism in the ancient world
• analyze primary texts critically and discuss their significance for understanding Judaism in the ancient world
• apply appropriate theoretical and methodological tools to the study of religious texts and traditions
• evaluate the role of cultural exchange and religious dialogue within Judaism, as well as between Jews and non-Jews
• demonstrate writing and research skills necessary for the analysis of a cultural and religious tradition.

Course Requirements

1. Required Reading :

There will be an emphasis on reading primary sources in translation. Tests will be based on readings as well as lectures. The required textbooks will be available at the University Bookstore.

• On-line readings: For each lecture, the primary sources are available on the web-site: http://religion.uoregon.edu/~dfalk/. Click on the underlined links in the schedule for each class period. Read these carefully before the class period for which they are assigned and be prepared to discuss them.
•  Lawrence Schiffman, From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism (KTAV)
•  Eli Barnavi, Historical Atlas of the Jewish People (Schocken, 2003; ISBN 9780805242263)
• There is a packet of charts you will also need: These will be available on blackboard.
• Items on Electronic Reserve as assigned.

2. Written work:

Each student will write three papers answering a specific question pertaining to a close reading of the assigned primary texts. There are various questions due each week: students will sign up for two different papers. The papers should be 2 – 2 1/2 pages in length, and will be worth 15 points each. Topics will be posted on blackboard.
3. Examinations: 


Midterm examination: 20% of final grade. Final examination, exam week: 30% of final grade.
Exams will be a combination of short answer (match, fill in blanks, multiple choice) concerning details of people, places and events, discussion of selected passages (short essays), and topical essays.
4. Participation and attendance: 5%

Course Calendar

9/30
Ancient Israel and Judaism; The Biblical Story
Read: Atlas vi-xiii, 2-21; Read: on-line: Biblical Story
Bring Packet : “Ancient Judaism” chart; “Kings of Israel” chart (2 pages)

10/2
Biblical Heritage: Symbols, Institutions , Religious and Social Life

Read: Schiffman 1-32; on-line: Heritage

10/7
Exile and Restoration

Read Atlas 22-33;
Read: on-line: Persian;
Read: Schiffman 33-47
Bring Packet: “Persian Period” chart
Assignment #1 due

10/9
Foundations of Torah Judaism
Read:  on-line: Torah ; Esther (www.biblegateway.com)
Read: Schiffman 47-59
Assignment #2 due

10/14
Crisis: Jews in the Hellenistic World
Read: Atlas 34-41; Read: on-line: Hellenism ;
Read Schiffman 60-72
Bring Packet: “Hellenistic Period” chart
Assignment #3 due

10/16
Jewish Identity and Diaspora
Read: on-line: Diaspora;
Read Schiffman: 80-97, 120-138
Bring Packet: “Assimilation and Accommodation” charts (2 pages)
Assignment #4 due

10/21
The Maccabean Revolt; Hasmonean Dynasty
Read Atlas 42-45; Read on-line: Maccabees ;Read Schiffman 72-79
Bring Packet “Hasmonean Dynasty”
Assignment #5 due

10/23
Sectarianism:
Samaritans; Pharisees and Sadducees ; Apocalyptics and Ascetics

Read Atlas 46-47; Schiffman 98-119; on-line: Sects
Assignment #6 due

10/28
Roman Conquest; Herodian Rule
Read Atlas 48-51; Schiffman 139-149;  on-line: Romans
Assignment #7 due

10/30
MID-TERM EXAM

11/4
Jesus and his followers

Assignment #8 due
Read: Atlas 54-55; Schiffman 149-52; on-line: Jesus
The Jewish-Christian Schism
Assignment #9 due
Read Schiffman 152-6; on-line: christians

11/6
Revolt and Reconstruction

Assignment #10 due

Read: Atlas 52-3, 60-61; Schiffman 157-64; Online: on-line: revolt

11/11
Academy and Synagogue

Assignment #11 due
Read Atlas 56-59; Schiffman 164-76; on-line: academy

11/13
Rabbinic Literature and thought

Assignment #12 due

Read Atlas 62-5; Schiffman 177-200; on-line: rabbis1
Read Holtz 129-75
Bring Packet: Mishnah charts (2 pages);

11/18
Rabbinic Literature and thought

Assignment #13 due
Read Schiffman 201-39; on-line: rabbis2
Read: Holtz 177-211

11/20
Worship of God

Assignment #14 due

Read:  Atlas 72-3; Schiffman 240-55; on-line: worship
Bring Packet: Shema chart, Amidah chart, Merkabah Mysticism chart

11/25
No Class: Professor away at conference

11/27
Jewish Life: Institutions; Family

Assignment #15 due
Read Atlas 66-7; Schiffman 255-65; on-line: life ;
Read on Blackboard:
-Ross Kraemer, “Jewish Women in the Diaspora World”;
-Judith Wegner, “The Image and Status of Women in Classical Rabbinic Judaism”

12/2
The Mystical Tradition

Assignment #16 due

Read: on-line: mysticism
Bring Packet: Merkabah Mysticism chart;

12/4
Jews in a Christian World; Triumph of the Rabbis
Read Atlas 68-71, 74-77; Schiffman 266-69

12/10
Final Examination: 10:15 am