Module VPR-3407:
Anti-Semitism

Module Facts

Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Dr Gareth Evans-Jones

Overall aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to present student with a negative attitude which has, unfortunately, existed for centuries and continues to exist in many places today, that being anti-Semitism: a hatred or ill-feeling towards Jews. Beginning with a discussion on the relationship between early Christianity and Judaism, we will then reflect on how these two religions were perceived culturally, legally and politically. The module will then focus on the development of a Christian anti-Judaism, with special reference to a selection of events and individuals, including the Crusades, the papacy in the Middle Ages, Martin Luther, the Holocaust and modern Christian anti-Semitism. We will also consider the anti-Semitism of other religions including Islam. In this regards, we will consider how the Jews are depicted in Muslim texts, the status of Jews under Muslim rule, and the interesting and changeable modern relationship. We will also focus on modern anti-Semitism in social, political and cultural circles, including the Israel-Palestine conflict, the ‘anti-Semitic’ attitude of Britain’s Labour Party, and the existence of Neo-Nazism.

Course content

The module will explore a variety of areas, such as: the relationship of the Christian religion and the Roman Empire, and its impact on the Jews of the early centuries AD; the Crusades and their effects; the Papacy of the Middle Ages; Spain in the Middle Ages; Anti-Jewish images and iconographies by Christians and Muslims; the Paradoxical perspectives of Martin Luther; Zionism and the growth of anti-Semitism; The Holocaust and the Shoah; current relationships between Jews and Christians; historical, sociological and cultural relationships between Islam and Judaism; Jews under the rule of Muslims; the Israel-Palestine conflict; the ‘Anti-Semitism’ of Britain’s Labour Party; Neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism,; and modern efforts to withstand anti-Semitism.

Assessment Criteria

C- to C+

Good C- to C +

Submitted work is competent throughout and occasionally distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: • Good structure and logically developed arguments. • At least in parts draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are, in the main, backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

good

Very Good B- to B+

Submitted work is competent throughout and distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It demonstrates: • Very good structure and logically developed arguments. • Draws on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student. • Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning. • Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.

threshold

Threshold D- to D+

Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows: • Generally accurate but with omissions and errors. • Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning. • Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions. • Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.

excellent

Excellent A- to A*

Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways: • Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent. • Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study. • Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.

Learning outcomes

  1. • Demonstrate comprehension of and intelligent engagement with the richness of Judaism and Christianity and their varied and central forms.

  2. • Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how personal and communal identities and motivations are shaped by religion, particularly, how this has both positive and negative effects.

  3. • Describe, discuss and demonstrate critical comprehension of the political, social, textual, historical, theological, and institutional expressions of each religion and how they have impacted interreligious relations.

  4. • Evaluate and critically analyse a diversity of primary and secondary sources, including materials from theology, Church declarations and legal writings with specific emphasis on how they have impacted relations between Jews and Christians.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
ORAL Oral Presentation

Students will be given a choice of 5 possible themes to choose from. They will deliver a 10 minute individual oral presentation.

 50.00
ESSAY Essay

Students will be given a choice of 5 possible questions to write a 2,500 word essay.

 50.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

11 hours worth of seminars will be held during the module so that students can discuss the topic at hand, in addition to complement their teaching and learning experience. Students will be expected to read certain pieces of literature and prepare for the seminars.

 11
Lecture

22 hours worth of lectures will be delivered that will offer students an insight into the matter of anti-Semitism.

 22
Private study

Students will undertake 167 hours worth of independent study. In order to offer students guidance, a reading list will be provided.

 167

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Resources

Reading list

• Flannery, Edward H. 2004 (3rd ed.). The Anguish of the Jews. New York: Paulist Press.

• Hay, Malcolm. 1981. The Roots of Christian Anti-Semitism. New York: Freedom Library Press.

• Kessler, Edward. 2013. An Introduction to Jewish-Christian Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

• Barrens, James M. 2015. In Our Time (Nostra Aetate): How Catholics and Jews Built a New Relationship. St Petersburg, FL: Mr Media Books.

• Rousmaniere, J. 1991. A Bridge to Dialogue: The Story of Jewish-Christian Relations. New York: Paulist Press.

• Nicholls, W. 1993. Christian Antisemitism: A History of Hate. Northvale, NJ & London: J. Aronson.

Courses including this module

Optional in courses: