Medieval Jewish Literature. Readings of medieval genres, including secular and liturgical poetry, the romance and prose narratives. Discussions will center on literacy innovations and the role of medieval Hebrew literature within the context of the history of Western European literature. A term paper and a seminar report is a course requirement. This course is a run on a seminar basis and is based on a selection of contemporary Israeli works of fiction, films, plays and selections of poetry.
Emphasis is on readings, discussion and analyses.
Among the readings included will be works of fiction by Binyamin Tammuz, Yitshak Ben-Ner, David Shahar, Amos Kenan and a play by Yehonatan Geffen. Class discussion and activities are exclusively in Hebrew. An advanced knowledge of Hebrew is required. History of the Jews from the Moslem Conquests to the Spanish Expulsion. This course will survey major trends in medieval Jewish society under both Islam and western Christendom.