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HU Credits:
4
Degree/Cycle:
1st degree (Bachelor)
Responsible Department:
Comparative Religion
Semester:
2nd Semester
Teaching Languages:
English
Campus:
Mt. Scopus
Course/Module Coordinator:
Hannelies Koloska
Coordinator Office Hours:
Upon appointment
Teaching Staff:
Dr. Hannelies Koloska
Course/Module description:
This course explores religious communities in Jerusalem, their histories, landmarks, and practices. Each for their reason considers Jerusalem as a holy place and marks Jerusalem with buildings, sounds, practices, and institutions. It asks how the landscape of Jerusalem changes according to the religious framings. This course will study the importance of Jerusalem as a place of memory and of living for Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Through a blend of classroom study, and visits to communities and places, this course aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of Jerusalem’s religious fabric.
Course/Module aims:
Cultural and Theological Appreciation: Develop a profound appreciation for the shared and distinct theological importance of Jerusalem across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Understand the spiritual connections each religion maintains with this city and its pivotal role in shaping religious narratives and beliefs.
Religious Diversity Awareness: Cultivate an in-depth awareness of the diversity and history of religious communities within Jerusalem. Analyze the beliefs, practices, and identities of Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other religious groups that contribute to the city's cultural landscape.
Understanding Rituals and Practices: Gain insight into different religious practices that shape the daily lives and spiritual experiences of Jerusalem's inhabitants. Examine rituals, liturgies, and sacred objects that hold profound meaning for each faith, fostering a deeper understanding of faith in practice.
Cultural Engagement and Immersion: Engage directly with religious communities, practitioners, and religious services.
Institutional Insight: Gain a comprehensive insight into the institutions that uphold and sustain religious traditions within Jerusalem. Explore the roles of religious institutions in preserving cultural heritage, advocating for communities, and shaping religious law, fostering an understanding of the organizational aspects of faith.
Interfaith and Interdisciplinary Understanding: Develop an ability to view Jerusalem's religious mosaic through an interfaith and interdisciplinary lens.
Critical Analysis and Reflection: Improve critical analysis skills through the examination of texts, material objects and practices related to Jerusalem's religious significance. Reflect on the implications of diverse beliefs, practices, and institutions for broader socio-cultural contexts.
Cultural Sensitivity and Respect: Foster cultural sensitivity and respect when exploring religious beliefs, practices, and communities. Develop an ability to engage in thoughtful and open-minded discussions about faith while appreciating the intricacies of religious diversity.
Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
Theological Understanding: Demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the theological significance of Jerusalem for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Identify key theological concepts and narratives associated with Jerusalem in each faith.
Religious Diversity Awareness: Recognize the diversity of religious communities that coexist within Jerusalem. Compare and contrast the distinctive beliefs, practices, and identities of different religious groups.
Understanding Rituals and Practices: Analyze and describe the significance of religious rituals, liturgies, and practices in shaping the spiritual experiences of Jerusalem's inhabitants. Understand the role of material objects and spaces in various religious traditions.
Cultural Engagement: Engage directly with religious communities, practitioners, and religious services, fostering a firsthand appreciation of faith in practice. Apply respectful and open-minded engagement when interacting with diverse religious contexts.
Institutional Insight: Explain roles and functions of religious institutions within Jerusalem, including their contributions to law, preservation or welfare.
Interdisciplinary Perspective: Incorporate interdisciplinary insights from theology, history, religious studies, and cultural studies when examining the city's religious mosaic.
Critical Analysis and Reflection: Critically analyze textual sources. Reflect on the implications of material culture, religious beliefs and practices within broader cultural, social, and historical contexts.
Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect when discussing and engaging with different religious traditions. Navigate discussions about faith with openness and empathy, appreciating the complexity of religious diversity.
Synthesis and Application: Synthesize knowledge to form a comprehensive understanding of Jerusalem's role as a spiritual crossroads. Apply insights gained to broader discussions on interfaith dialogue, cultural heritage, and contemporary socio-cultural dynamics.
Effective Communication: Communicate insights and understanding about Jerusalem's religious mosaic clearly and effectively in both written and oral formats. Engage in constructive discussions and share knowledge.
Attendance requirements(%):
100, in case of absence, the teacher has to be notified (not more than 4 times)
Teaching arrangement and method of instruction:
Individual and Group Work, experiental field trips
Course/Module Content:
1) The Landscape of Jerusalem (Jerusalem in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Jerusalem in the cultural and collective memories, places of memory in Jerusalem)
2) Religious Communities in Jerusalem
3) Religious Practices: Pilgrimage, Sanctification of Scripture
4) Religious Institutions: Property, Welfare, Law
Required Reading:
TBA
Additional Reading Material:
TBA
Grading Scheme :
Essay / Project / Final Assignment / Home Exam / Referat 50 %
Submission assignments during the semester: Exercises / Essays / Audits / Reports / Forum / Simulation / others 30 %
Attendance / Participation in Field Excursion 20 %
Additional information:
As a mandatory course, this course is primarily designed for 2nd and 3rd year BA students in Comparative Religion. The number of students is limited. The course is including about 6 mandatory field trips. They will take place during class times, but sometimes also on Thursday afternoons or Friday mornings. A detailed syllabus will be given to the participants. The course is primarily conducted in English.
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