Course Description
This course treats issues in which law and religion meet, overlap, and conflict within Israel. Topics include medical issues (end-of-life, abortion, surrogacy), religious control disputes, the restriction of non-Orthodox movements, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Readings include primary sources; texts of actual legal cases.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional readings will be assigned along with a research paper
and additional meetings with instructor.
Athena Title
LAW & RELI ISRAEL
Prerequisite
Third-year or fourth-year student standing or permission of department
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should know the following: 1. understanding the concept of separation of religion and state 2. understanding the history and development of the founding of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, including the law of return, establishment of religious and secular courts, and attempts to form a constitution 3. current influences on Israel’s development, including religious attitudes political factions conflict with non-Orthodox movements 4. gray areas in the law, including end-of-life issues abortion surrogacy 5. challenges of non-Jewish minorities in Israel 6. Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including establishment of Israel cultural and ideological conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians efforts at peace, both formal and informal 7. survey of variety of religious life in Israel Communicate Effectively through Writing To strengthen skills in written composition, analysis, and presentation by means of projects such as essays, papers, reports, and examinations. Communicate Effectively through Speech To strengthen skills in oral expression, analysis, style, and interaction by means such as class reports, class discussion, and oral examinations. Computer Literacy To enhance and facilitate computer literacy by the use of word processing, the web, email, and OASIS through research, preparation, and presentation of work such as oral class reports and completion of written assignments. Critical Thinking To foster critical thinking by engaging in activities such as classroom discussion and debate, essay examinations, and oral presentations. Moral Reasoning (Ethics) To assist in the continued development of moral and ethical reasoning and reflection by encouraging creative thinking regarding individual and community concerns and needs, the challenging of prejudices and stereotypes, and examining rational and ethical bases of constructive social interactions.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction A. The Concept of Separation of Religion and State II. History and Development A. Founding of the Country as a “Jewish State” 1. The Law of Return B. Establishment of Religious and Secular Courts C. Attempts to Form a Constitution III. Current Influences A. Religious Attitudes among Jewish Israelis B. Political Factions IV. Gray Areas in the Law A. End-of-Life Decisions B. Beginning-of-Life Decisions (abortion, surrogacy) V. Non-Jewish Minorities in Israel VI. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict A. Establishment of Israel B. Peace Agreements - Formal and Informal VII. Variety of Religious Life in Israel
Syllabus