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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Davar Academy, LLC | Evaluated Learning Experience

European Jews in the Middle Ages (HIS 220)

Length: 

Varies – self study.

Location: 
Various; distance learning format.
Dates: 

May 2022 - Present.

Instructional delivery format: 
Online/distance learning
Learner Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: illustrate and discuss what Jewish society and culture was like during the European Middle Ages; describe the major historical events in the European Middle Ages that affected the Jewish population and explain the impact these events had on Jewish life; identify the major historical personalities in Middle Ages Europe 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 and Christian cultures influenced Christian attitudes towards Jews and in turn influenced Jewish life and society; describe and asses the important decisions and decrees Jewish leaders made during this period and discuss what may have influenced their decisions and how Jewish culture was affected.

Instruction: 

This course explores historical events and personalities involving or affecting the Jewish people in medieval Europe through the fourteenth century.  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 Rashi and the Ba’alei Tosafos, the Rabainu Tam, R’ Yitzchok b. Shmuel (the Ri), the Ra’avad and R’ Zerachyah HaLevi (the Ba’al Hamaor). Nicholas Donin, Innocent III, R’ Shmuel of Falais, R’ Yechiel of Paris, R’ Moshe of Coucy, R’ Chaim Kohen, R’ Meir of Rothenberg and his students, R’ Kalonymos of Rome and R’ Nosson b Yechiel.  Students will also demonstrate an understanding of how the Jews living in Europe during the Middle Ages interacted with surrounding cultures, and how they influenced and were influenced by their host countries. Also, students will be able to express an understanding of the significance of major political and cultural events and their impact on the Jewish communities and individuals. Topics include the Second Crusade, early Christian Anti-Semitism, Ritual Murder Libels, Blood Libels, The French and English expulsions, usury the Papacy, the disputations, the burning of the Talmud, emigration to Eretz Yisroel, the expulsion from France, the Black Death, rabbinic ordination, the 100 Years War.

Credit recommendation: 

In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in History, Jewish History, Judaic Studies or Sociology (3/22).

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