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Zach Mann Zachsmann@Gmail.Com Miller Hall Room 112 Hours: Tues/Thurs 3-4 The syllabi listed here are from the last term during which the course was taught and are posted only as a guide to some of the typical topics the course may cover. Please note that the readings and materials may change from term to term. An updated syllabus for the course for the coming semester will be posted closer to the start of the semester. Classical Jewish Philosophy Jewish Studies 563:311/ Philosophy 730:311 Tuesday/Thursday 4:30-5:50 Hardenberg A5 Instructor: Zach Mann [email protected] Miller Hall Room 112 Hours: Tues/Thurs 3-4 Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the classical Jewish philosophers - Sa’adia Gaon, Judah Halevi, Maimonides and others – and will briefly touch on philosophical issues surrounding Kabbalah as well. By focusing on the tension between traditional Jewish faith and rational models of inquiry (Athens vs. Jerusalem), students will gain an appreciation of the intellectual range and diversity that characterized Jewish thought in late antiquity and the Middle Ages, and how classical Jewish philosophy set the stage for modern Jewish thought. In addition to studying individual thinkers, we will address broad thematic questions about the nature and task of Jewish philosophy and the circumstances that give rise to it. Course Learning Goals: My hope is that students in this course will: * Familiarize themselves with the pre-modern sources of Judaism’s encounter with the western speculative tradition * Appreciate the sheer variety of approaches within the Jewish philosophical tradition * Develop their ability to read difficult philosophical texts critically and comparatively Required Texts: Available at the bookstore or online Three Jewish Philosophers, eds. Lewy, Altmann, Heinemann (The Toby Press) ISBN: 9781592641475 Guide for the Perplexed, Moses Maimonides.Trans. Shlomo Pines (University of Chicago Press), 2 vols. Additional Readings/Computers: I will be using the SAKAI system to post additional readings not found in the required books above. I will also be using it to contact you, add readings, adjust assignments, etc., so please be sure to check your Rutgers email (Eden). I would encourage you to print out the sources so that you hard copies to class. If you’d prefer, you can bring your computer to class. However, a NOTE ON COMPUTERS: Philosophy requires deep thought and serious engagement with texts and ideas, so it’s important that you bring all of yourself to class - please only use computers to bring the readings to class and not for Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Myspace, Angry Birds, etc. ADDITION: NO CELL PHONES. SWITCH THEM OFF OR SILENCE THEM BUT PLEASE DON’T LET ME SEE THEM. Other Concerns/Special Arrangements: Please come see me as soon as possible if you are entitled to any special arrangements through the Office of Disability Services. I’d be happy to hear about them, but it’s important that we start this process as soon as possible. For more, please see: http://disabilityservices.rutgers.edu/request.html The syllabi listed here are from the last term during which the course was taught and are posted only as a guide to some of the typical topics the course may cover. Please note that the readings and materials may change from term to term. An updated syllabus for the course for the coming semester will be posted closer to the start of the semester.Grading: Preparation/Attendance 10% Exams (3) 90% Absences This course depends on your ability to attend and participate. If you cannot attend a class session for any reason, please use the Rutgers Student Self-reporting Absence Application: (https://sims.rutgers.edu/ssra/). In addition, there will be an attendance sheet for every class. You are entitled to three absences – you will lose one point off of your final grade for every absence after that. Academic Integrity It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the university’s policies concerning academic integrity, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, etc. and the consequences of breaking any of these policies: http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/integrity.shtml#cheat Please note that there will be no class on the following dates: September 18, September 25, October 2, October 9, November 22 September 4 – Introduction to the course UNIT 1 – Fundamentals of Judaism September 6 - The Biblical Worldview September 11 – The Rabbinic Worldview UNIT 2 – The Ancient Greeks September 13 – Plato September 18 – NO CLASS – JEWISH HOLIDAY September 20 - Aristotle September 25 – NO CLASS – JEWISH HOLIDAY UNIT 3 – Foundational Figures in Late Antiquity September 27 – Philo of Alexandria October 2 – NO CLASS – JEWISH HOLIDAY October 4 – Plotinus October 9 – NO CLASS – JEWISH HOLIDAY October 11 – FIRST EXAM UNIT 4 – The Islamic-Jewish Synthesis October 16 – Sa’adia Gaon, Part I October 18 – Sa’adia Gaon, Part II October 23 – Solomon ben Yehudah Ibn Gabirol October 25 – Bahya Ibn Paquda October 30 - Yehuda Halevi, Part I November 1 –Yehuda Halevi, Part II The syllabi listed here are from the last term during which the course was taught and are posted only as a guide to some of the typical topics the course may cover. Please note that the readings and materials may change from term to term. An updated syllabus for the course for the coming semester will be posted closer to the start of the semester.November 6 – SECOND EXAM UNIT 5 - Maimonides November 8 – Maimonides, Part I November 13 –Maimonides, Part II November 15 - Maimonides, Part III November 20 - Maimonides IV November 22 – NO CLASS (HAPPY THANKSGIVING!) UNIT 6 – The Emergence of Kabbalah November 27 – The Maimonidean Controversies November 29 – Abraham Abulafia December 4 – The Zohar December 6 – Wrap-up December 11 – THIRD EXAM .
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