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.

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.