From Symbolism to Reality—Syllabus


2007

September 30         
First Day of Classes: Introductions and Expectations
The Different Ways We Imagine/Perceive Israel Today
 
October 7     
A First Look at the Land of Canaan Through the Stories of Avraham Avinu, Isaac, and the Exodus
           
October 14  
Moshe: Canaan as a symbol; Joshua: Canaan in Reality
 
October 21  
First Temple: The Establishment of the Country
 
October 28  
Second Temple: The Evolvement of Diaspora Jewry and the Tensions Between Them and Israelite Jewry

November 4
Israel in My Dreams: Tor Hazahav, Ibn Gavirol, and Yehuda Halevi
 
November 11          
The Enlightenment and its Effect on the Zionist Movement
 
November 18          
The Beginning of the Zionist Movement: Moses Mendelson and Hovevi Zion
 
November 25
Thanksgiving (No Sunday Classes)
 
December 2            
The Beginning of the Zionist Movement: Herzel and Echad Ha’am
 
December 9
Conservative Judaism’s Attitude Toward Israel at Different Points in Time
 
December 16          
Orthodox Judaism’s Attitude Toward Israel at Different Points in Time

December 23
Winter Break (No Sunday Classes)
 
December 30
Winter Break (No Sunday Classes) 

2008 January 6    
Reform Judaism’s Attitude Toward Israel at Different Points in Time

January 13
Secular Jews’ Attitudes Toward Israel at Different Points in Time

January 27
The War of Independence

February 3
Early Years
 
February 10
Checks and Balances in Israel
 
February 24
The Six-Day War and the Consciousness
 
March 2
One Struggle, Many Faces—Introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part I
 
March 9
Yom Iyyun
 
March 16
One Struggle, Many Faces—Introduction to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Part II
 
March 23
Israeli-Egyptian Peace Agreement
 
March 30
The War in Lebanon
 
April 6
Social and Economic Status in Israel
 
April 13
J-Serve (No Class)
 
April 20
Pesah (No Class) 

April 27
Pesah (No Class)
 
May 4
Where Do We Go Now? Part I
 
May 11
Where Do We Go Now? Part II
 
May 18
Graduation