History 4215.001 (Group C): Jews Under Greek and Roman Rule
University of North Texas, Fall Semester 2015
Department of History
Instructor: Dr. Walter Roberts
Office: Wooten Hall 227
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 1-4 PM; or by appointment
Office Phone: 940-565-2489
E-Mail:
Course Description and Objectives
This course is an overwview of the development of Jewish cultural identity during the Persian, Hellenistic, Roman eras. (ca. 600 BCE-ca. 500 CE). Thematically, this course will examine the interplay between Jewish monotheism and assimilation with the neighboring polytheistic cultures and how this interrelationship informed Jewish notions of leadership and community in both Palestinian and Diaspora Jewish communities. This course will be heavily based on reading primary sources and some of the more influential secondary scholarship on the development of Judaism and Jewish cultural identity during the period under examination. We will also explore the use of archaeology and other non-literary sources in an attempt to address the basic issues of the course.
Student Learning Outcomes
1) Show an understanding of the basic developments in Judaism and Jewish cultural identity from ca. 600 BCE-ca. 500 CE.
2) Place the development of Judaism and Jewish cultural identity in this period in a wider historical context; that is, how did Judaism and Jews interact with the predominant Persian, Hellenistic, and Roman cultures during this period and what were the consequences of these interactions on the formation of Jewish cultural identity.
3) Identify primary and secondary historical sources for the topics under study.
4) Be able to formulate an analytical argument about historical issues concerning the cultural development of Jews during the period in question using analysis of primary and secondary sources.
5) Be able to assess critically primary sources for the topics under investigation.
Required Texts
The following are available at any of the bookstores affiliated with the University of North Texas:
Josephus, The Jewish War (Penguin, 1984) ISBN: 9780140444209
The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th edition (Oxford, 2010) ISBN: 9780195289602
Lawrence Schiffman, From Text to Tradition, A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism (Ktav Publishers, 1991) ISBN: 9780881253726
Lawrence Schiffman, ed. Texts and Traditions: A Source Reader for the Study of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism (Ktav Publishers, 1998) ISBN: 9780881254556
Grading and Evaluation
My overall evaluation of each student in this course will be broken down as follows:
Two Examinations: 20% each (40% total)
3 Book Reviews: 20% each (60% total)
The value for all grades in this course will be based on a standard collegiate scale: A=90-100%; B=80-89%; C=70-79%; D=60-69%; F=59% or lower
Examinations
The 2 exams will be in-class green book exams consisting of identifications and essay questions. Each of these exams will be worth 20% of your final grade.
Book Reviews
You will be asked to write 3 short papers reviewing books from a provided list. At the dates noted under the class schedule, each student will turn in a 3-5 page typed, single or double-spaced essay in Courier or Times New Roman 10 or 12 point font on the relevant book. Further details on these writing assignments are available on the course website. Each paper will be worth 20% of your grade, so the 3 papers combined will be 60% of your total grade.
All book reviews are to be done on an individual basis with no group collaboration, and must be completed/turned in on the appropriate due date. In addition, all students are required to send an attached file via e-mail containing their written work in Microsoft Word format along with a hard copy of their paper.
Policy on Late Assignments
There will normally be no allowance for missing the exams or turning in papers late. If missing an exam or paper due date is unavoidable due to extenuating circumstances (as decided by me, not you!), the student must give me reasonable prior notification and documentation for the reason they are missing the exam or not turning in a paper. In such cases the student must then arrange with me to make up the exam in question or turn in the paper in question within 2 weeks of the original date of the assignment. Make-up exams may be a different format from the original.
Attendance and Classroom Etiquette Policies
There is no formal attendance requirement, but much of the information on the exams comes from class lecture and discussion, so it would behoove you to come to class on a regular basis. I am a stickler on issues of classroom etiquette. Students that are habitually tardy, regularly exit class early, or who otherwise disrupt class will be subject to being administratively dropped from the course. The assumption is that you are all adults and know how to behave accordingly in a classroom setting. The list of disruptive behaviors that will not be tolerated by me includes, but is certainly not limited to: sleeping; cell phone use or cell phone ringer going off; texting; chatting with your peers while I’m lecturing or another of your peers has the floor; surfing the web; doing other coursework. I reserve the right to ask you to leave the class if I deem such disruptive behavior to be especially egregious. In short, I will treat you as adults as long as you show me and your peers the same courtesy.
University of North Texas Code of Student Conduct
This code is in effect for all aspects of this course. Academic dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with according to University policy. If you are unclear about the Code of Student Conduct, please refer to section Chapter 7, Section 18.1.16 of the University Policy Manual (https://policy.unt.edu/sites/default/files/untpolicy/pdf/7-Student_Affairs-Academic_Integrity.pdf) or come see me.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at http://www.unt.edu/oda. You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.
Course Web Page
This course has its own Web page on the Blackboard site. This web page will contain the syllabus, assignment guidelines, and other supplemental course materials. It is important that you check the Web page on a regular basis to get your assignments and access material that will make this course more manageable.
Class Schedule (Order of topics and due dates for assignments subject to change)
August 24-September 18
The Babylonian Exile and the Persian Period
Readings: Schiffman, Text to Tradition, Chapters 1-3; Isaiah, Ezrah and Nehemiah (Oxford Bible); Schiffman, Source Reader, Chapter 3
September 21-October 16
Readings: Schiffman, Text to Tradition, Chapters 4-7; Schiffman, Source Reader, Chapter 4-7
October 21-November 13
Readings: Schiffman, Text to Tradition, Chapters 8-9; Schiffman, Source Reader, Chapter 8-9; Josephus, Jewish Wars
November 16-December 2
Readings: Schiffman, Text to Tradition, Chapters 10-14; Schiffman, Source Reader, Chapter 10-14
MID-TERM EXAM: Monday, October 19 at regular time in our regular classroom
FINAL EXAM: Saturday, December 5 from 8-10 AM in our regular classroom
BOOK REVIEW DUE DATES:
Book Review 1 due at the beginning of class on Friday, September 25
Book Review 2 due at the beginning of class on Friday, October 30
Book Review 3 due at the beginning of class on Monday, November 23
3