Undergraduate Course: The Jewish Diaspora under the Roman Empire (ANHI10084)
Course Outline
School | School of History, Classics and Archaeology |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
Summary | This course will provide an introduction to the sources and history of the Jewish diaspora under the Roman empire up to c. 450 C.E.. |
Course description |
Roman imperial rulers had to deal with the very different backgrounds of their various subjects, and provincials in turn adapted or resisted the coming of Rome in a variety of ways. The situation of Jews outside of their Judaean homeland is a particularly fascinating case in point within this broader picture. Jewish communities were spread very widely across the empire, meaning that many Jews lived side by side with their pagan and later their Christian neighbours. What was the extent and nature of the impact of this on their identity? This course will provide an introduction to the sources and history of the Jewish diaspora under Rome up to c. 450 C.E., covering both the eastern and western empire, as well as the community in Rome itself. The material is rich and varied, including pagan, Jewish and Christian literature, inscriptions, papyri and of course the archaeological material. Students will consider the position and lives of Jews as a case study for the impact of empire on subject communities, but will also evaluate the extent to which we can indeed use this particular case as a representative example.
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Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites | Visiting students should usually have at least 3 courses in Classics related subject matter (at least 2 of which should be in Ancient History) at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this) for entry to this course. We will only consider University/College level courses. |
High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination, command of a range of sources relevant to the Jewish Diaspora under the Roman Empire;
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination, an ability to read, analyse and reflect critically upon relevant scholarship;
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination, an ability to understand, evaluate and utilise a variety of primary source material;
- demonstrate, by way of coursework and examination, the ability to develop and sustain scholarly arguments in oral and written form, by formulating appropriate questions and utilising relevant evidence;
- demonstrate independence of mind and initiative; intellectual integrity and maturity; an ability to evaluate the work of others, including peers.
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Reading List
J.M.G. Barclay, Jews in the Mediterranean Diaspora: from Alexander to Trajan (323 BCE-117 C.E.) (1996)
J.M.G. Barclay (ed.), Negotiating Diaspora: Jewish Strategies in the Roman Empire (2004)
M. Goodman (ed.), Jews in a Graeco-Roman World (1998)
E. Gruen, Diaspora: Jews amidst the Greeks and Romans (2002)
T. Rajak, The Jewish Dialogue with Greece and Rome (2000)
J. Lieu, J. North, T. Rajak (eds.), Jews among Pagans and Christians in the Roman Empire (1992)
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Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
Course organiser | Dr Kimberley Czajkowski
Tel: (0131 6)50 9110
Email: k.czajkowski@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Jenni Vento
Tel: (0131 6)50 3781
Email: jenni.vento@ed.ac.uk |
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