Overview

The module may include, but will not be limited to studying: The historical background of Judaism; An overview of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and the central tenants of the Jewish faith, including the covenant, the mitzvot, and the concept of ‘God’s chosen people’; The impact of the destruction of the Second Temple and the development of diasporic Judaism; Influential Jewish thinkers, such as Moses Maimonides and Moses Mendelssohn; The practice of contemporary Judaism: rites of passage, dietary laws, religious festivals and rituals; the diverse denominations within modern-day Judaism; Modern Judaism and certain issues: feminism and environmentalism.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -ThresholdD- 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.

-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.

-excellent -ExcellentA- 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.

-another level-GoodC- 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.

Learning Outcomes

• Present information on a topic related to Judaism in a clear and coherent manner.

• • Apply Jewish insights and philosophies to a variety of social and scientific issues.

• • Demonstrate an ability to explore the relationship between Judaism and global political issues.

• • Demonstrate an awareness of the various theological and cultural traditions existent in contemporary Judaism.

• • Discuss and demonstrate knowledge of the variety of sources existent in the Jewish tradition and appreciate how they can be applied to contemporary world situations.