Jewish Life Courses
Judaism Through the Ages (RE118)
Christian, Jewish & Muslim Spain (US236)
Instructor: Dr. Joanne Lucena. This course will examine the coexistence of the three principal religions: Christianity (Catholicism), Islam, and Judaism during the Middle Ages. Tenets and beliefs of each religion will be examined in detail. Art and architecture reflecting the three religions will be analyzed and will include such national treasures as the synagogues in Toledo, The mosque in Córdoba, The Alhambra in Granada and the cathedrals of Santiago de Compostela and Seville. Topics discussed will include the Spanish Inquisition, The Catholic kings, the reconquest, and medieval life in Europe at that time. The historical time period will cover roughly from 700-1492. Readings will include various poems written by writers of the three religions, El Cid, La Celestina and historical documents of the epoch. Teaching the coexistence of the three religions exposes students to different ideological discourses embodied in cultural fields of the time. The class will also examine the three religions and their role in Spanish society today. This course is a bilingual course and will be taught in both Spanish and English. Readings will be in both Spanish and English.
Jerusalem: Major Religions in a Divided Land (Jerusalem Preview - Open to freshmen only)
Instructors: Dr. Jan Tecklin and Dr. Karen Sawyer. The City of Jerusalem is considered the birthplace of the three major monotheistic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. During the three millennia of Jerusalem’s existence as a city there have been many divisions in the geographic boundaries, population, “ownership”, religious practices, world views and more. These divisions and differences continue into the twenty-first century. Upon completion of this course students will have developed an appreciation and understanding of those differences among the three monotheistic religions throughout the centuries. The understanding of and ability to discuss those differences will be the overall objective of this course. This course is highlighted by a “dual narrative” week in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank of the Palestinian Territory with each day being led by two guides—one Israeli and one Palestinian. The guides will offer together a unique “dual narrative” tour of this continually contested land.
