HIS 230 History of the Jews in the Golden Age of Spain
Final Exam and Transcript Provided by Davar Academy
HIS 230 is a self-study course whose grade is based solely on the final examination. The course of study that is necessary to be prepared for the final examination consists of lessons based on the readings noted in this syllabus. Students should read the entire text of all the reading assignments. There are no formal assignments, but students are encouraged to take the practice quizzes associated with the readings to ensure that they have gleaned the appropriate knowledge to fulfill the course objectives and are well prepared for the final exam.
This course explores the rich and intricate history of the Jews of Spain and Portugal throughout the Middle Ages until the 1492 expulsion. The course will also focus on how historical figures made an impact on Jewish life through their major works and communal interaction. Significant figures include Chisdai Ibn Shaprut, Shmuel Hanagid, Shlomo Ibn Gavirol, R’ Yehuda Halevi, The Rambam, The Ramban, Rabbenu Yonah, The Rashba, and The Rosh. Students will also gain an understanding of how the Jews living in Spain and Provence during the Middle Ages interacted with surrounding cultures, and how they influenced and were influenced by their host countries. Also, students will understand the significance of major political and cultural events and their impact on the Jewish communities and individuals. Topics include controversy and harmony between Sephardic Jewry, Christiandom, and Islam; the influence of philosophy on Jewish scholarship; how Kabbalah came to influence Jewish culture in Spain; the cultural and religious legacy of Sephardic Jewry; the trauma of Christian persecution and compulsory conversion to Christianity.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Illustrate and discuss what Jewish society and culture was like in Spain during the Middle Ages.
- Describe the major historical events in Spain during the Middle Ages that affected the Jewish population and explain the impact these events had on Jewish life.
- Identify the major historical personalities in Spain whose actions affected the Jewish population and explain how they impacted the Jewish population.
- Describe the contributions of Jewish historical figures and explain the impact they had on Jewish life.
- Describe and assess how the interactions between Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultures influenced Christian and Muslim attitudes towards Jews and in turn influenced Jewish life and society.
- Describe and assess how the interactions between Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultures influenced Christian and Muslim attitudes towards Jews and in turn influenced Jewish life and society.
Sendler, Rabbi Binyamin. The Chosen Path: Medieval Jewry, Their Communities and Their Leaders. Dartmouth Oak Park, MI: History Works, 2007. Chapter II, Chapter V.
Wein, Rabbi Berel. Herald of Destiny: The Story of the Jews in the Medieval Era. Brooklyn, NY: Shaar Press, 1993. Section II, chapter 3; section IV, all; section V, chapter 13; Section VI, chapter 15.
Marcus, Jacob R. The Jew in the Medieval World. Hebrew Union College Press, 1999. Pgs. 20-22; 34-41; 194; Pgs. 227-233; 297-301;306-307.
Articles:
Norman Roth, “‛Sacred’ and ‛Secular’ in the Poetry of Ibn Gabirol,” Hebrew Studies 20-21 (1979-1980): 75-79
Norman Roth, “The Jews and the Muslim Conquest of Spain,” Jewish Social Studies 37 (1976): 145-158
Ram Ben-Shalom, “Between Official and Private Dispute: The Case of Christian Spain and Provence in the Late Middle Ages,” AJS Review 27:1 (April 2003): 23-72
David Gitlitz, “Passover_and_the_Crypto_Jews,” Rhode Island Jewish Historical Association Notes (1995).
Norman Roth, “Solomon Ibn Adret Against the Infinite Universe,” Iberia Judaica 2 (2010): 251-258
David Gitlitz “Crypto Jews of Spain and Portugal,” Journal of Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian Crypto-Jews. (2009)
The student’s final grade will be based on a final examination. Examination questions will cover all topics covered in the readings. Students will have two hours to complete the final examination. Students will be assigned a number grade from 0-100. A letter grade will also be issued in accordance with the following scale:
90-100 – A
80-89 – B
70-79 – C
0-69 – non passing
