Department of History Courses

 Description: This is a First Year Seminar that explores how Jews have seen their neighbours in theory, but mainly in practice. The subject matter has to do with the formation of identity in situations in which one culture is dominated politically and numerically by another. Although we will begin with normative texts dating back to before the first millenium BCE, the focus will be on Christian lands from the Middle Ages to the present. Whenever possible seminar participants will analyze primary sources.

The rivalry of Christianity and Judaism dates to the very origins of both - how have Jews coped with a hostile hegemonic culture? Students will be evaluated on the basis of weekly two-page reports and a major research essay.

Texts: Course pack and supplementary readings

Evaluation: 

• Weekly (10) one-page reaction papers (no more than 2pp.) that summarize the assigned reading with extraordinary concision and precision and propose topics arising from the reading that are suitable for class discussion. 40%
• Research paper proposal including title and a tentative bibliography due no later than March 8. 10% (Note: The proposed  topic must be discussed with the instructor before submission)
• Research paper (maximum: 25 pp.). Final version to be submitted no later than April 5. 50%    

Format: Lecture

 Description: Hasidism began in the late decades of the eighteenth century and persists to today. We will follow the historical development of the movement in its first century in east central Europe and its expansion thereafter to other regions. Whenever possible, class sessions will see discussion of primary sources (in translation). The focus will be less on Hasidic teaching/theology and more on historical issues related to the confrontation with the profound cultural and technological changes of modernity.

Texts: 

• Coursepack for Purchase (in the McGill Bookstore)
• Essential Papers on Hasidism, edited by G. Hundert, NYU Press, 1990. BM198 E85 1991 
• Dov Ber ben Samuel, In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov. BM 755 I8 S4413 1984
• David Biale et al., A New History of Hasidism, Princeton UP, 2017. ISBN-13: 978-069 1175 157 ISBN-10: 069 1175152

The  Coursepack, and the books  Essential Papers  and A New History of Hasidism, should be available in the McGill bookstore. In Praise of the Baal Shem Tov seems to be out of print.

The books are on Reserve. As a result of library policies, the Coursepack will not be placed on Reserve until several weeks into the semester. 

Evaluation: 

• Attendance and participation at all lectures.
• Completion of all required readings (See over and Syllabus)
• Three five-seven-page book reviews - 20% each.
• Three in-class tests

Dates: January 25 - 15%
February 27 - 15%
April 12 - 10%

Format: Lecture