Time Schedule:
Noam Pianko
SIS 490
Seattle Campus
Content varies from quarter to quarter.
Class description
Contemporary Judaism and Transformation of Religion in a Global Era
This course explores the dynamic interactions between contemporary social, political, and intellectual forces and today’s changing religious landscape. With the help of a social-scientific approach, students will have the opportunity to critically analyze the ways in which religious ideologies and communities transform themselves in relationship to particular geographical contexts and historical processes. The study of Jews and Judaism provide an effective lens for considering changes to religious life. The Jewish experience reflects many of the trends facing religious communities in a global era. Jews thrive in both homeland and diaspora settings, embrace a wide spectrum of attitudes toward socio-cultural integration, and engage diverse cultural contexts from Seattle to Safed. This course is included on the International Studies Core List.
Student learning goals
• Exposure to various expressions of contemporary Judaism
• Greater sensitivity to the relationship between religious movements and other social, political, and cultural forces
• Appreciation for the increasingly important role that religion plays around the globe today
General method of instruction
Lecture with discussion
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites
Class assignments and grading
Expect reading assignments, regular response papers, and two exams
Class participation, writing assignments, and exams
