Summer 2008
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Oregon School of Judaic Studies Israel Onstage: Israeli Society Through Drama Note: This excellent course consists of one lecture session and attendance at three staged readings of contemporary Israeli plays. Introduction to Judaism Judaism is a religion of ancient ties to a foundational text, a land, a people, and a way of life. It is also a world civilization that has undergone surprising changes in its more than 3,000 year history. In this course we will explore the religious beliefs and practices of Judaism, from its Biblical origins to the variety of its modern forms. No prerequisites. Judaism in the Time of Jesus What was the matrix of beliefs at the time of the Second Temple which would provide the basis for the development of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity? This course provides an overview of the beliefs and practices of the Jewish people in the first century CE. Attention will be given to primary texts that exemplify the views of the different Jewish sects, including the Essenes, Zealots, Pharisees, Sadducees, the earliest followers of Jesus, and the Jews in the Diaspora. The Holocaust and Jewish Thought: Philosophical and Religious Responses We will study four crucial essays produced by Jewish thinkers in the 20 years following World War Two and which created controversy and valuable communal dialogue with their interpretations of the meaning of the Jewish catastrophe. The essays are: Hannah Arendt's "The Seeds of a Fascist International," Emil Fackenheim's "The Commanding Voice of Auschwitz," Ellis Rivkin's "The Dynamics of Jewish History," and Richard Rubenstein's "Religion and the Origin of the Death Camps." Science and Nazism How is it that the most scientifically advanced nation of the early 20th century also produced a political system commonly regarded as barbaric, indeed evil? Was Nazism an irrational reaction against a scientific world view, or the manifestation of a technical rationality which has abandoned humane values. This course explores the complex middle ground between these two interpretations. Family & Identity through Film Families form our understanding of self and anchor our social identites. Though readings and documentary and narrative films from Europe, the Americas, and Israel, we view marriage, intergenerational dynamics, and gender roles in the experience of Jews, Hispanics, and Asians. Classes organized around lectures, film screenings, and discussion. Intensive First-Year Hebrew First-year Hebrew in an accelerated, nine-week sequence. Emphasis on basic grammar, syntax, noun and verb formation, listening and reading comprehension, translation, writing, and speaking. For non-native speakers of Hebrew only. To register, visit http://www.summer.pdx.edu/ For questions about payment or registration, e-mail summer@pdx.edu or call 503-725-3276. For questions about Judaic Studies courses and programs, visit www.judaic.pdx.eduor contact Professor Michael Weingrad, weingrad@pdx.edu. OSJS courses are open to students and learners of all ages and backgrounds for both credit and noncredit. Credit is available through Portland State University. Summer students planning to transfer credits to their home institutions should get advance approval of their selections. Because OSJS is self-supporting, courses are not available through the Senior Adult Learning Center. Scholarships are available through the generosity of donors. Enrollment begins May 2. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Contact 503-72LEARN or http://www.summer.pdx.edu Non-credit courses and auditing: Courses with 099 numbers may be taken as non-credit (099) courses. Fees are as follows: 1 credit: $80, 2 credits: $150, 4 credits: $250. |
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The RTC for Pathways to Positive Futures aims to improve the lives of youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions through rigorous re