Course Description
Exploration of the boundaries between Scripture and tradition by examining stories in the Hebrew Bible and comparing them with their subsequent interpretation and re-tellings in later Jewish communities. We will also look at other legendary stories from within the 3000-year tradition of Jewish literature.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will have the opportunity to read texts in the original language (Hebrew) and write a research paper that more deeply explores the texts.
Athena Title
Jewish Myths and Legends
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- To gain familiarity with the major Jewish texts from various time periods
To understand the historical context within which the texts were written
To learn to analyze interpretive texts and see what they can tell us about the objectives or motives of the authors
To understand the different traditions of Jewish interpretation
To discuss how Jewish myths and legends relate to those of other traditions, such as the Christian traditions
Topical Outline
- Introduction to the Bible, Midrash, and other Jewish Literary traditions
- Creation Stories
- The Patriarchal Narratives and the Exodus
- The Judges and Monarchic Periods
- Apocryphal Literature
- Rabbinic Literature
- Medieval Historiography
- Medieval Legends
- Hasidic Folklore
