Judaism and Ecology
T, Th 10:30-11:50 Dr. Susan Marks
PME 219 smarks@ncf.edu
Office Hours: Tues 2:00-3:00p.m. PME 221; x 24271
Thurs 3:00-4:00p.m.
and by appointment
Objectives:
In light of the present environmental crisis, students will explore the development of Jewish ideas concerning such things as creation and justice. At times one can glimpse the relevance of ancient notions. At other moments the precedents may appear strained. In order to understand the various connections and disjunctions we will consider Jewish textual interpretation and history, as well as modern communal institutions and organizations. Students will engage in discussions, writing assignments, and other individual and group exercises as they seek to assimilate diverse traditions and histories. We will evaluate each new synthesis in terms of what it teaches about Judaism, and whether it provides a sustainable approach to looming environmental challenges.
Expectations:
Regular attendance is required. In order to facilitate review by myself or your peers, assignments must be handed in on time. Class participation counts towards your overall evaluation. Your classmates will come to depend on your comments even as you will come to depend on theirs. If you are a person who does not readily talk in public, I encourage you to come see me during my office hours, and we can devise other ways for you to have input into class discussions.
Responsibilities:
Academic integrity.
Active participation. Since participation depends on regular attendance, more than three absences will be grounds for an unsatisfactory evaluation. Students should arrive on time, with readings in hand, having done relevant readings before class session as well as any informal writing assignments.
Three short papers*
I. Interpretation of early texts (two parts).
II. Presentation of a chapter from Judaism and Ecology.
III. Research a current Jewish exploration of an environmental issue of your choice (8-10 pages involving drafts and revisions)
Oral presentations of items II and III above.
A final exam.
*An appropriately formatted hard [paper] copy of formal assignments must be handed in on-time, together with all drafts and doodles. You will be evaluated based on the energy of the original exploration as well as development throughout the revision process.
Required Texts:
Tirosh-Samuelson, ed. Judaism and Ecology: Created World and Revealed World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2002. [Assignments will be from this text unless otherwise indicated and will be listed by author and page number].
A Bible [that you bring with you to class each session].
You will find at the bookstore Meeks, ed. HarperCollins Study Bible. You may substitute another modern translation (e.g., RSV, NRSV, NJPS, or NIV). The King James Version is not acceptable as a primary translation, although you are welcome to use it as a secondary text.
and electronic reserve which includes additional articles [* = Reserve Readings]
***Please also check Library Reserve for related books***
Schedule:
Week 1 In the beginning . . .
Tues Aug 23 Introduction
Textual interpretation: written assignment handed out
Thurs Aug 25 Genesis continued
Read: *Cohen, 8-36, 63-66
Due: First Assignment, part 1
Week 2 The Human Condition
Tues Aug 31 Read: Tirosh-Samuelson, xxxiii-xxxix
Eisenberg, 27-59
Thurs Sept 1 Read: Diamond, 61-80
In class:Shabbat 67b
Discuss second part of textual interpretation assignment
Week 3
Tues Sept 7 Read: Kraemer, 81-106
*Stein, 7 pages of sources
Due: First Assignment, part 2
Thurs Sept 9 Read: *Schwartz, 230-249
Schwartz, 93-106
In-Class: Hand out Second Assignment -- Present a Chapter
Sign-up: Choose presentations dates
Week 4 More Interpretation
Tues Sept 14 Read: background on Posek of your choice
Due: Informal writing – interview with a Posek
Thurs Sept 16 No Class – Rosh HaShannah.
Week 5 Creation
Tues Sept 21 Read: Geller, 109-132
Gillman, 133-154
Thurs Sept 23 Read: Texts tba
In-class:Web-crawl
Hand-out Third Assignment -- Research a current Jewish
response to one environmental issue
Week 6
Tues Sept 28 Read: Novak, 155-175
Levenson, 177-185
Thurs Sept 30 No Class – Sukkot
Week 7 Science and Harvest
Tues Oct 5 Read: *Ruderman, 14-53
Leviticus 23:33-44
Deuteronomy 16:13-17
Thurs Oct 7 No Class- Shmini-Atzeret/Simcha Torah
BREAK
Week 8 Redemption? (From Speculation to Action)
Tues Oct 19 Read Kaplan, 407-422
Blanchard, 423-448
Thurs Oct 21 Read: Jacobs, 449-480
Texts tba
Week 9
Tues Oct 26 Revelation
Read: Rosenberg, 189-225
Goodman, 227-259
Sokol, 261-282
Thurs Oct 28 Read: Kogan, 283-301
Texts tba
Due: Draft of Research paper
Week 10
Tues Nov 2 Peer Review
Due: PRF for each paper
Read: Papers from peers
Thurs Nov 4 Constructive Jewish Theology
Read: Green, 3-15
Fishbane, 17-24
Week 11 Presentations
Tues Nov 9 First half of presentations
Due: Research Papers
Thurs Nov 11 Second half of presentations
Week 12 Nature in Jewish Mysticism
Tues Nov 16 Read: Wolfson, 305-331
Magid, 333-368
Thurs Nov 18 Read: Texts tba
Week 13
Tues Nov 23 Read: Gellman, 369-388
Tirosh-Samuelson, 389-404
Thanksgiving BREAK
Week 14
Tues Nov 30 Final Exam
Thurs Dec 2 Conclude