The relationship between Jewish historical experience and the evolving theological responses to that experience will be traced. Primary texts consisting of selections from the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, medieval Bible commentaries and philosophy, Jewish mystical literature, Hasidism and the prayer book will be examined as illuminations of this relationship. The vocabulary of Jewish theological expression will be explored as it relates to the history of Jewish philosophical inquiry. T An exploration of conceptions of human love in Plato and Aristotle and in literature from the Renaissance through the Romantic period to the twentieth century, including such authors as Goethe, Shelley, and Ayn Rand. Explores ways of rationally evaluating classical and contemporary arguments supporting different positions on those issues.
Students learn to develop and defend their own views on the issues.
Courses are open to students in the College Honors Program and others only by permission of instructor. This section will be available if there is sufficient demand. This approval should be completed by the time the course begins next Spring.