Modern Israel and the Jewish World

This subject is not offered in 2008.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This course will examine and focus on Israel's politics, society and culture, with special attention to Jewish communities beyond Israel and their ethnic and religious diversity. Among the topics considered will be assimilation, secular-Orthodox tensions, the Law of Return, the evolution of the orthodox, reform and conservative religious movements, the Ashkenazi and Sephardi dispute, the Rabin assassination, post-Zionism and Holocaust denial. Also considered will be the implications of these events and factors for Judaism and Israel in the 21st century. The course will engage a number of significant Jewish thinkers and their critical and theoretical reflections on present and future perspectives, as well as short stories, prose, poetry newspaper and magazine articles, films and music. At the end of the course students should possess a critical understanding of current cultural, social and political trends and issues.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• understand the social and historical background to culture. noting the political aspects of social and literary works and events;

• have written communication through essay writing and class presentation;

• be able to deliver oral presentations and understand cross cultural aspects through group discussions.

Formerly available as 109-210 and 183-210 Israeli Politics and the Jewish World. Students who have completed 109-210 or 183-210 Israeli Politics and the Jewish World are not eligible to enrol in this subject.