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HU Credits:
2
Degree/Cycle:
2nd degree (Master)
Responsible Department:
General & Compar. Literature
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
Hebrew
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Prof Ilana Pardes
Coordinator Office Hours:
by appointment
Teaching Staff:
Prof Ilana Pardes
Course/Module description:
The Song of Songs as Cultural Text: Love, Religion, Secularism
What makes the Song of Songs such a prominent text for reflections about love in different cultural contexts? Why does it serve as a touchstone for the definition of both literal and allegorical loves? To what extent does the Song revolve around the question of the language of love and poetic epitome? The first part will be devoted to a consideration of major interpretive trends (allegorical exegesis, the literary approach, feminist criticism) and to close readings of the Song. Part II and Part III will revolve around two exemplary modern scenes of reception: American literature and culture (from Whitman's "Song of Myself" to Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon and Beloved) and Israeli literature and culture (from S. Y. Agnon to Daliah Ravikovitch). The discussion will also entail an exploration of adaptations of the Song in music, dance, and art.
Course/Module aims:
The objective of the seminar is to follow the intricacies of the exegetical history of the biblical text while developing the students’ capacity to compare between diverse modes of reception
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
To examine the exegetical history of the Song of Songs
To compare diverse interpretive contexts
To define interpretive strategies
To explain reading processes
To assess the interrelations between literature and religion
Attendance requirements(%):
80
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Seminar
Course/Module Content:
The Reception of the Song of Songs – Introduction
The Garden of Metaphors and the Prophetic Marital Metaphor
The Question of Gender and Sexuality: Feminist Readings of the Song
Allegorical Readings: From Rabbi Akiva to the Zohar
Allegorical Readings: From Origen to Santa Teresa
The Literal-Aesthetic Turn: Herder
The Song in America: Whitman
The Song in African-American Culture – Morrison’s Song of Solomon
Morrison’s Beloved: Mother-Daughter Love
The Song in Israeli Culture: The Song and the Orient
Agnon’s Song of Song ; From “Betrothed” to “Edo and Enam”
Conclusion
Students’ Presentations
Required Reading:
See above
Additional Reading Material:
Yair Zakovitch, The Song of Songs, Mikra le-Yisrael (Hebrew)
Marvin Pope, The Song of Songs, The Anchor Bible
Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 70 %
Active Participation / Team Assignment 10 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 10 %
Attendance / Participation in Field Excursion 10 %
Additional information:
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