Course: Introduction to Jewish Studies

« Back
Course title Introduction to Jewish Studies
Course code KBS/UJX
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Horová Markéta, Mgr. Th.D.
Course content
1. History of Israeli religion in context of Kenaan cult. 2. Structure of sacred writings of Judaism, its origin and formation of canon. 3. Theory of origin of Israel, various approaches, symbolic representations of the history of nation in Tanach. 4. Phenomenon of babylon captivity and change of the paradigm of religion. 5. Differences between Israeli religion and Judaism. Phenomenology of Judaism, basic terms. Temple and synagogue, distribution of power and authority in society. 6. Attitudes after exil. Bejt kneset hagdola, cathedrocracy, origin of halachic system. Idea of Messiah. 7. Mishna, Gemara, development of Babylon Talmud, important personalities. 8. Principles of ethical monotheism, prophetic tradition, heritage of Pharisee democratic system of the universal priesthood, belief in resurrection and post-mortem justice. Study of Torah. 9. Linear time, importance of the history, calendar, feasts, liturgical year. 10. Rituals of transition, kashrut, liturgy, Jewish family and household. 11. Význam interpretací, tradiční a moderní výklad Písma, PARDES. 12. Important representatives. 13. Jewish mysticism, apocalypse, struggle to preserve integrity.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Students' portfolio, Individual study, Students' self-study, Self-study of literature, Lecture
  • Contact hours - 52 hours per semester
  • Preparation for an examination (30-60) - 58 hours per semester
  • Undergraduate study programme term essay (20-40) - 20 hours per semester
prerequisite
Knowledge
- to identify important events, periods, figures of world history - to explain concepts of religion - to identify and explain basic topics, approaches and terminology of religious studies
Skills
- to work individually with academic sources and to compare them - to use effectively modern information technologies - to plan own study
Competences
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
learning outcomes
Knowledge
- to know basic facts and terms of Judaism, historical development and different forms and traditions of Jewish culture - to characterize texts of Judaism - to identify and characterize important figures of Judaism
Skills
- to apply perspective of religious studies, cultural anthropology and history during the study of basic elements of Judaism - to write academic text on given topic - to present a particular topic from Jewish tradition - to search independently for relevant academic sources
Competences
N/A
N/A
teaching methods
Knowledge
Lecture
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Self-study of literature
Individual study
Skills
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Competences
Lecture supplemented with a discussion
Skills demonstration
Individual study
assessment methods
Knowledge
Oral exam
Seminar work
Skills demonstration during practicum
Individual presentation at a seminar
Bachelor's thesis assessment
Skills
Oral exam
Individual presentation at a seminar
Seminar work
Competences
Oral exam
Seminar work
Skills demonstration during practicum
Individual presentation at a seminar
Recommended literature
  • Atlas univerzálních dějin židovského národa od časů biblických praotců do současnosti. Praha : Victoria Publishing, 1995. ISBN 80-7187-013-7.
  • Bible : Písmo svaté Starého a Nového zákona ; český ekumenický překlad. Praha : Česká biblická společnost, 1998. ISBN 80-85810-19-0.
  • Armstrongová, K. Jeruzalém. Praha, 1999.
  • Di Sante, C. Židovská modlitba. Praha, 1995.
  • Divecký, Jan. Příběhy Tóry. Praha, 2005.
  • Newman, Ja'akov; Sivan, Gavri'el; Nosek, Bedřich; Ziss, Daniel; Pavlát, Leo. Judaismus od A do Z : slovník pojmů a termínů. Praha : Sefer, 1992. ISBN 80-900895-3-4.
  • Potok, Chaim. Putování : dějiny Židů. Praha : Argo, 2002. ISBN 80-7203-425-1.
  • Spiegel, Paul. Kdo jsou Židé?. Brno : Společnost pro odbornou literaturu - Barrister & Principal, 2007. ISBN 978-80-87029-07-7.
  • Stern, Marc. Svátky v životě židů : vzpomínání, slavení, vyprávění. Praha : Vyšehrad, 2002. ISBN 80-7021-551-8.
  • Tydlitátová, Věra. Stromy ve starozákonní tradici. Středokluky : Zdeněk Susa, 2008. ISBN 978-80-86057-47-7.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester