Abraham and the Abrahamic Religions Syllabus Summer 2014
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The University of Texas at Austin Department of Middle Eastern Studies MEL f321 (86215) / MES f342 (86350) / RS f353 (87130) / JS f363 (85395) Abraham and the Abrahamic Religions Summer 2014 Meeting Times: MTWThF 1:00–2:30pm Meeting Location: Parlin (PAR) 204 Instructor: Professor Jonathan Kaplan Email: [email protected] Office: Calhoun (CAL) 503 Phone: (512) 471-9453 Office Hours: by appointment Course Description: The biblical character Abraham is considered to be the father of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam by each religion’s adherents. How did Abraham become “Father Abraham?” Why does each of these three communities claim to be the people of Abraham exclusively? The primary aims of this course are to explore how Abraham is presented in the book of Genesis and how each of these religions transforms Abraham into a key figure of their tradition. After examining the figures of Abraham, his wife Sarah, and his sons Ishmael and Isaac in Genesis 12–25, the remainder of the course will consist of exploring how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam each retell the story of Abraham and his family. We will take note of the interpretive strategies employed by each tradition as it utilizes the story of Abraham in constructing a communal narrative of chosenness. Some attention will be paid to how participants in contemporary inter-religious dialogue approach the figure of Abraham. This course requires no prior exposure to biblical literature or Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Prerequisites: None Global Cultures Flag: This course carries the Global Cultures flag. The purpose of the Global Cultures flag is for students to gain greater familiarity with cultural groups outside the United States. To that end, courses carrying the Global Cultures flag ask students to explore the practices, beliefs, and histories of at least one non-U.S. cultural group, past or present, with the goal of encouraging students to reflect on their own cultural experiences within a global context. Ethics & Leadership Flag: This course carries the Ethics & Leadership flag. The purpose of the Ethics and Leadership flag is to equip students with skills that are necessary for making ethical decisions in their adult and professional lives. To that end, courses carrying this flag expose students to ethical issues and to the process of applying ethical reasoning in real-life situations. Learning Goals: After completing this course successfully, students should be able to: • Outline the Abraham cycle in the Book of Genesis. 1 last rev. 6/5/14 The University of Texas at Austin Department of Middle Eastern Studies • Describe the major modes of scriptural interpretation in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. • Describe how two different stories about Abraham are interpreted in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. • Articulate what is meant by the concept “Abrahamic Religions” and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. • Identify and evaluate two major ethical issues in the Abraham cycle and its interpretation. Grading Policy: Grading in this course will be administered according to university policies, including the assignment of + and – grades. Your final grade in this course will be based upon successful completion of the following course requirements, weighted as listed in determining the final course grade: (1) Class attendance and participation – 25% (2) Five one-page reading responses (3% each) – 15% (3) Quality of two 3–4 page ethical reasoning essays (15% each) – 30% (4) Quality of 8–10 page comparative interpretation paper – 30% Grading Scheme: Total % Letter Grade Total % Letter Grade 94–100 A 72–75.9 C 90–93.9 A- 69–71.9 C- 87–89.9 B+ 66–68.9 D+ 84–86.9 B 63–65.9 D 80–83.9 B- 60–62.9 D- 76–79.9 C+ < 60 F Major Course Requirements and Assignments: (1) Class Attendance and Participation counts for twenty-five percent of the course grade, and one cannot participate if he or she is not in class. That being said, I understand that students sometimes miss class. More than two unexcused absences will result in a lowering of a student’s participation grade. If there is a personal or medical reason for multiple absences, please alert me. I understand that students may be hesitant to speak in class for a variety of reasons. If students have any concerns about class participation and would like to meet with me to discuss alternative ways to participate and/or strategies to improve class participation, please do not hesitate to contact me. (2) One page reading responses – Students are asked to write a one-page response (250-300 words) to a given class session’s readings and discussions for five class sessions during the course of the term. Responses should be formulated after having completed the reading for a given session and attending the session. A copy of the response should be submitted to me by email no later than 12pm on the day after the class at which the readings will be discussed. Students receive full credit for turning in five of these responses during the course of the term. (3) Quality of two 3–4 page ethical analysis essays – Essays dealing with ethical issues raised by the primary sources covered in class. Specific instructions will be passed out in- class. DUE 6/19 & 6/26 2 last rev. 6/5/14 The University of Texas at Austin Department of Middle Eastern Studies (4) 8–10 page comparative interpretation paper – A paper in which students will be given the opportunity to explore how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam interpret a specific biblical story. Specific instructions will be passed out in class. Topics will be determined in consultation with the instructor. DUE 7/10 University Policy on Religious Holidays: A student who misses classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible (at least fourteen days in advance), so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence. Extension Policy: Extensions on papers and exams will only be granted for documented, exigent circumstances. Accessible Education: The University of Texas at Austin provides, upon request, appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. To request appropriate academic accommodations from the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, Services for Students with Disabilities, call 471-6259 (voice) or 232-2937 (video phone) or http://www.utexas.edu/diversity/ddce/ssd. Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: “The core values of The University of Texas at Austin are learning, discovery, freedom, leadership, individual opportunity, and responsibility. Each member of the university is expected to uphold these values through integrity, honesty, trust, fairness, and respect toward peers and community” (University Honor Code). “As a student of The University of Texas at Austin, I shall abide by the core values of the University and uphold academic integrity” (New Student Honor Code). Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty of plagiarism are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information please visit the Student Judicial Services Web site: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs. Use of Technology in Class: Students are permitted to use laptop computers or similar mobile computing devices (including cell phones, etc.) during class sessions for course-related activities only. E-mail and this Course: Email is recognized as an official mode of university correspondence; therefore, you are responsible for reading your email for university and course-related information and announcements. You are responsible for keeping the university informed about changes to your e-mail address. You should check your e-mail regularly and frequently to stay current with university-related communications, some of which may be time-critical. University policy suggests that students should check e-mail at a minimum of twice per week. You can find UT Austin’s policies and instructions for updating your e-mail address at www.utexas.edu/its/policies/emailnotify.php. 3 last rev. 6/5/14 The University of Texas at Austin Department of Middle Eastern Studies Drop Dates: Please consult the registrar’s website for important information on drop dates. Resources for Life and Learning at UT Austin: The University of Texas has numerous resources for students to provide assistance and support for your learning. • Sanger Learning and Career Center: http://lifelearning.utexas.edu/ • Undergraduate Writing Center: http://uwc.utexas.edu/ • Counseling & Mental Health Center: http://cmhc.utexas.edu/ Required Books: § Levenson, Jon D. Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Library of Jewish Ideas; Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2012). § Siker, Jeffrey. Disinheriting the Jews: Abraham in Early Christian Controversy. Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1991. § Bible (any modern – not King James – translation is ok). Students are welcome to purchase Coogan, Michael D. et al., eds. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha, Augmented Fourth Edition, New Revised Standard Version, College Edition. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. This edition is available for purchase at the Co-Op. § Selected readings available through Blackboard and/or on reserve at PCL. Students are required to bring a print copy of the Bible or other primary texts to class on days on which we will be discussing selections from these works. Reading texts on a smartphone or other such small-screen device is not an acceptable way to engage ancient texts for the purposes of this class. Ground Rules for Participation in Discussion: This course is a critical introduction to the figure of Abraham and his reception in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.