This course develops an understanding of contemporary North American Jewry using findings of social science. Social, cultural, political, and religious issues of concern to Jewish communities are analyzed, such as assimilation, intermarriage, Jewish identity, etc. The course focuses on the Canadian Jewish experience and where relevant compares this to the United States. It also offers […]
This course investigates the origins, development and continuing legacies of apocalypticism in ancient Judaism and in the history of Christianity. We will focus on understanding: (1) apocalyptic literature (biblical and nonbiblical, including 1 Enoch, Daniel, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Revelation); (2) millennial movements; and (3) the apocalyptic worldview, which centers on the notion of […]
In any given year, a limited number of faculty members may be available to supervise a special program of study (for a limited number of students) equal in credit to one full or half course. Note: Enquiries should be directed to the office of the department. Please consult the Enrolment and Registration section, Faculty of […]
This course explores this phenomenon and analyzes a variety of contemporary women's rituals in light of contemporary feminist ritual theory and methodology.
This course explores concepts of soul from early Greek Civilization to the early Christian era. It examines a cluster of related concepts -- soul, spirit, shade, consciousness, will, and mind - that express the self or “inner person.” Entailed are soul as a thing separate from body; sensation and perception; relation of soul to body; […]
This course surveys the material culture of the land known variously as Canaan, Israel, Judah, Judea, Palestine, and the Holy Land, from the Neolithic or "New Stone" Age (as of ca. 8500 BCE) until the Persian Period (539-330 BCE).
Through the work of a small group of scholars across disciplines, there has been a growing acknowledgment of the importance of gender as a category of analysis in deepening our understanding of the past and its relevance to the present. Although both men and women were victimized by the Nazi genocide, writing by men and […]
The Dead Sea Scrolls provide an intriguing window into the development of early Christianity and rabbinic Judaism. This course examines the texts, the communities which produced them, contemporary movements within Judaism and Christianity, and the major lines of interpretive controversy.
Renowned scholar Robert Skloot suggests that Theatre of the Holocaust scripts can express their understanding of historical facts, and although the plays are not history, they would not stand apart from history. Holocaust plays and drama work can raise crucial historical and moral questions and make them more immediate. Traces of lives, real or imagined, […]
Practical performance instruction in the Klezmer musical tradition. Some performance ability and knowledge of fiddle, bass, guitar, piano, clarinet, sax, accordion, or trumpet is required. (Other instruments are welcomed). Prerequisite: None for 1045, appropriate lower level or permission of the Instructor required for upper level registration.