Course Description
A hands-on introduction to Judaism. From feasts to fasts, you will explore the history, texts, and traditions of Judaism through the study and first-hand encounter with its foods; their place, preparation, restrictions, and geographical variations that are central to the religious and cultural experience of Judaism.
Goals
By the end of the semester, students enrolled in this course:
⇒ Should be familiar with the basic history, practices, and diversity of Judaism;
⇒ Should have an appreciation for the study and analysis of a religious tradition through its basic practices and traditions; and
⇒ Should be familiar with how foods and food-related practices can be used to examine symbolic actions and cultural and social relationships.
Because this class is listed as both RELST & WES200, you should also achieve “AAC&U [Association of American Colleges & University] milestone level 3 standards”:
◊ “Critically consider an issue or problem”;
◊ “Consult sources and consider expert opinions”;
◊ “Question assumptions and attend to relevant contexts when presenting a position”;
◊ “Develop a specific position while acknowledging different sides of an issue”; and
◊ “Articulate conclusions effectively before an audience.”
NOTE: WES Seminar II courses may be used to count towards a major; however, if you do so you will have to complete another Seminar II to complete your general studies requirements.
Texts
The following texts are available at the VWC bookstore. You are free to purchase them elsewhere, but should check with me to be certain you are purchasing the proper edition(s)
⇒ Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath (HESCHEL)
Additional readings are provided as links (to other Web sites or to downloadable PDFs) via the class “Schedule of Readings & Assignments,” or may distributed electronically or in class.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLETING ALL OF THE READINGS, INCLUDING ANY ON-LINE READINGS OR READINGS DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR FAILURE TO OBTAIN READINGS OR READING ASSIGNMENTS DISTRIBUTED IN CLASS.
Responsibilities & Evaluation
Attendance (10 points)
You are expected to attend all classes and complete all assignments. Points in this category will be assessed by dividing the number of classes attended by the total number of classes held.
In-Class Participation (10 points)
You are expected to participate fully in regular discussions, and engage the materials in class. Regular and thoughtful participation in class, as well as enthusiastic participation in the assignments, will be rewarded in this category. Mindless blather will not.
Reading / Notes Quizzes (10 points)
At various points throughout the semester you will be given a brief quiz of no more than 5 questions. Some of these quizzes will concentrate on the reading assigned for that day’s class, and will be administered at the beginning of class. Other quizzes will concentrate on that day’s class discussion; these will be open-notes, and will be administered at the end of class.
Writing Project (20 points)
To compliment the readings and class discussions (and, for those of you enrolled in this class for WES credit), you will write a formal paper in which you explore an issue related to Judaism and food. This paper should be written as a formal, college-level report (correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar, with a proper thesis, conclusion, and citations) no less than 5 pages in length, double-spaced, with traditional 1-inch margins and 12-point font size.
You must choose one topic from either Category A or Category B:
CATEGORY A. At some point in its history, each of the following foods has been at the center of a dispute involving kashrut:
Coca-Cola
Girl Scout cookies
Hebrew National hotdogs
Jello gelatin
marshmallows (generally)
Maxwell House coffee
New York City drinking water
peanuts (during Pesah)
Pepsi Cola
shechita (kosher butchering)
swordfish (generally)
wine vinegar
CATEGORY B. Each of the following films and television episodes contains a scene involving Jewish ritual (some with food, some without):
Arthur, “Is That Kosher?” (season 12, episode 1)
The Bernie Mac Show, “Bar Mitzvah Crashers” (season 5, episode 15)
The Dick Van Dyke Show, “Buddy Sorrell, Man and Boy” (season 5, episode 22)
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
The Frisco Kid (1979)
Hester Street (1975)
Hey, Arnold, “Harold’s Bar Mitzvah” (season 1, episode 22B)
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “Pilot” (season 1, episode 1)
A Serious Man (2009)
The Simpsons, “Today I Am a Clown” (season 15, episode 6)
The Wonder Years, “Birthday Boy” (season 2, episode 13)
Yentl (1983)
[Film and television assignments are subject to availability.]
Separate prompts and instructions for each category will be provided in class. You should be prepared to give brief presentation of your topic on one of the dates indicated in the “Schedule of Readings & Assignments.”
Final reports are due in class on the last day this course meets for the semester. Additional information will be provided in class.
Mid-Term & Final Exams (2 x 25 points = 50 points)
The mid-term and final exams will cover readings and class discussions. More information related to the format will be provided closer to the exam dates.
⇒ FOOD DISCLAIMER ⇐
While you are free to refuse to taste any of the foods associated with the class, you may be asked to handle—or may come into contact with—foods or food ingredients. Students with medical dietary restrictions (such as food-related allergies) or religiously / conscientiously held food-related dietary restrictions (such as vegetarianism or veganism) must notify me at the beginning of the semester so that the proper precautions can be observed. Students will NOT be forced to jeopardize their health or conscientiously held beliefs, nor will students’ grades be adversely affected.
