THEO2541: Jewish Religion in Antiquity: Belief Systems, Ethics, Political Conflicts

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• To familiarize students with the key features of Ancient Judaism.
• To develop their understanding of key texts and concepts of Ancient Judaism both in Palestine and in the Diaspora.
• To familiarize students with knowledge about the history of Jewish religion in its historical context in antiquity.
• To help them explore the methods of research in the history of religion.

• We will familiarize ourselves with this religion mainly by a close reading of selected key texts that display central religious and ethical concepts of Ancient Judaism. Texts both from Palestine and the Diaspora will be chosen, ranging from the Second Temple period until the Rabbis.
• Main themes to be considered are e.g. 1. How God was imagined and experienced in Ancient Judaism; 2. To what degree this religion can be labelled as monotheistic; 3. How creation was conceptualized; 4. How God and creation was correlated with evil in the cosmos, in human life and the demonic realm; 5. Which role the law played; 6. Which central ethic concepts were relevant 7. How key ritual and social practices shaped every days life.
• The plurality of Ancient Judaism will be regarded: We will familiarize ourselves with different religious-political currents /parties like Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Baptismal sects, Christianity (!), Jewish Gnostics (if they existed).
• It will play a role that Judaism was a religion in conflict internal and external.

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• A systematic understanding of the methods of religion historical work concerning Ancient Judaism.
• A coherent and detailed knowledge of Ancient Judaism both in Palestine and in the Diaspora.

Subject-specific Skills:

• The ability to read, interpret, and evaluate primary sources pertaining Ancient Judaism.
• The ability to evaluate modern and contemporary scholarship on Ancient Judaism.

Key Skills:

• Skills in the acquisition and interpretation of information through close, nuanced reading of primary and secondary sources.
• Skills in the structured presentation of information in oral and written form.
• Skills in the conducting of research.

• Lectures convey information and exemplify an approach to the subject-matter, enabling students to develop a clear understanding of the subject and to improve their skills in listening and in evaluating information.
• Seminars enhance subject-specific knowledge and understanding both through preparation and through interaction with students and staff, promoting awareness of different viewpoints and approaches.
• Formative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.
• Summative essays develop subject-specific knowledge and understanding, along with student skills in the acquisition of information through reading and research, and in the structured presentation of information in written form.

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