Modiwl VPR-3404:
Judaism in the Modern World

Overview

Among the topics discussed in the module, will be: • The beginnings of Judaism. • An overview of the Tanakh (The Hebrew Bible) and the central elements of the Jewish religion, including the covenant and the mitzvot. • Global Judaism. • Influential Jewish thinkers: Moses Maimonides and Moses Mendelssohn. • Practicing contemporary Judaism. • From Ultra-Orthodox to Liberal: the various denominations within modern Judaism. • Current affairs: anti-Semitism and Israel-Palestine.

Assessment Strategy

Threshold D- 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 C- 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.

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 A- 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.

Learning Outcomes

• • Apply philosophical insights, themes and debates from different Jewish schools appropriately to broader social, political and disciplinary contexts, including the medical and biological sciences, and law.

• • Demonstrate a critical and sophisticated understanding of the multi-faceted complexity of Judaism, for example, in the relationship between specifically religious beliefs, texts, practices and institutions, and wider social and cultural structures, norms, aesthetics and aspirations.

• • Demonstrate comprehension of and intelligent engagement with the rich philosophical and spiritual traditions of Judaism in its varied forms, in addition to the central philosophies and traditions of the Jewish faith.

• • Discuss and demonstrate a strong comprehension of Judaism’s classic sources and their subsequent articulations by various central interpreters of the tradition(s).

• • Present relevant information on a topic related to Judaism in a clear, coherent and engaging manner, demonstrating a firm understanding of the topic in question.