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Unit of study_

JCTC1004: Judaism: A History

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit explores the development of Judaism's foundational beliefs, rituals and traditions through its core texts - classical, medieval and modern. Tracing the evolution of Judaism from its roots in the ancient Near East to the diversity of its modern incarnations, it provides a window into the intellectual, ethical and cultural traditions that have shaped the oldest of the three monotheistic religions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code JCTC1004
Academic unit Hebrew, Biblical and Jewish Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Michael Abrahams-Sprod, michael.abrahams-sprod@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Class participation
Participation
10% Ongoing
Due date: 17 Jun 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 17 Jun 2022
Ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Critical assessment of reading
Short answer
10% Week 06
Due date: 30 Mar 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 06 Apr 2022
500 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Discussion board activity
Online task
25% Week 13
Due date: 25 May 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 25 May 2022
1000 wds (4 X 250-word discussion posts)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Research essay
Long answer
55% Week 13
Due date: 18 May 2022 at 23:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2022
3000 wds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work demonstrates an excellent analytical framework discussed in depth and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a wide range of primary and secondary sources to excellent effect; provides a thoughtful and original discussion of well-chosen examples/case studies; makes skilled use of writing style appropriate to the task; shows a high level of creativity and critical thinking.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work demonstrates a sound analytical framework discussed to some depth and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a wide range of primary and secondary sources to good effect; provides a coherent and in-depth discussion of well-chosen examples/case studies; makes skilled use of writing style appropriate to the task; shows originality and depth of reflection.

Credit

65 - 74

Work demonstrates a sound analytical framework and knowledgeable engagement with the topic; uses a good range of primary and secondary sources to good effect; discusses well-chosen examples/case studies in some detail; employs a clear and mostly correct writing style appropriate to the task; shows original and critical thinking.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrates at least a minimal analytical framework and engagement with the topic; a clear and coherent discussion in a writing style appropriate to the task; uses a limited but well-chosen range of primary and secondary sources and demonstrates a reasonable understanding of them; uses appropriate examples.

Fail

0 - 49

Work has no analytical framework and demonstrates insufficient engagement with the topic and primary and secondary sources; responses do not reflect the subject, are unclear or confused, and do not reveal an adequate understanding of the topic or sources.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Please refer to 'Late Submission' on this document for such guidance and advice.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 02 God, Torah Israel - A Framework for Exploration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 The Jewish God - A History Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Jewish Belief in the Modern Age Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 1. Jewish Belief in a Post Holocaust Age. 2. Holocaust Museums and Memorials: Sacred Secular Space Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Torah - History and Memory Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Torah: Text and Law Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Torah as Way of Life Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Torah Today Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Israel - People, Land, Language Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Israel in the Jewish Imaginary - Theologies of the Land Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Israel - Modern Realities Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 God, Torah, Israel Reconsidered Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: students are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board which will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture Recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on Canvas. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed in the Reading List menu available on the Canvas site for this unit.

  • Recommended textbook: The Tanach: Jewish Publication Society or you can access a scholarly version of the Hebrew Bible online. We will discuss appropriate online texts in the first week.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a foundational knowledge of Jewish religion and practice
  • LO2. demonstrate a preliminary understanding of the enduring themes of Jewish history such as the Diasporic experiences of acculturation, assimilation and integration
  • LO3. demonstrate through the use of appropriate conceptual vocabulary, an understanding of the historical, cultural and sociopolitical complexities involved in the study of Jewish civilisation, thought and culture
  • LO4. demonstrate familiarity with inter-disciplinary approaches to the study of Jewish civilisation, thought and culture, and the ability to apply them in the effective and ethical communication of their knowledge
  • LO5. demonstrate a capacity to use online resources, including library resources, databases and web searches, to obtain and assess information, and to demonstrate an understanding of the difference between primary and secondary sources, and scholarly and non-scholarly sources
  • LO6. demonstrate basic skills in critical analysis of scholarly literature, essay writing and appropriate scholarly referencing style.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to this unit are made in each iteration of this unit, based on the USS, informal and formal feedback from students and colleagues and other pedagogical matters.

Please see the JCTC1004 Canvas site for a week by week breakdown of readings in the Modules and Reading List menus.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.