Basic HTML Version
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
86
Jewish and Islamic
civilisations
COURSE CODES:
PLACES 2012:
POINTS 2011:
DEGREE AWARDED:
TR001 (TSM)
10
425-565
B.A.
TSM points:
See page 27
Jewish and Islamic civilisations cannot be studied as a
single honor course. It must be combined with one other
subject within the two-subject moderatorship (TSM)
programme. TSM is a joint honors programme. An honors
degree is awarded in both subjects.
For subjects that combine with Jewish and Islamic
civilisations see page 36.
See also:
TR001/008: World religions and theology, page 107
TR030: Catholic theological studies, page 106
What is Jewish and Islamic
civilisations?
Judaism and Islam have been deeply influential in the
development of European, Middle Eastern, North African,
and North American societies. Studying their origins and
cultures provides an insight into the challenges of diversity and
multiculturalism in an increasingly globalised world. Whether you
find yourself drawn to the ancient or modern worlds or favour the
study of literature, religion, history, languages or politics, you will
find in this degree a way to deepen your appreciation of complex
and diverse societies and cultures. From Babylon to Berlin, from
Cracow to Cordoba, from New York to Jerusalem, explore these
extraordinary societies with us.
Encountering these civilisations is not confined to the classroom
and we organise various activities that include study tours (e.g.,
Poland, Berlin, Andalusia). Each year international figures
working in areas such as Human Rights, Holocaust studies,
and Middle Eastern archaeology come to the Department
to contribute to the courses. We also offer internships in our
museum for those interested in gaining skills and experience.
Is this the right course for you?
If you want to understand how the civilisations of the Ancient
Near East shaped the Bible or how ancient societies influence
modern cultures and values, this course would be of great
interest to you. If you find yourself asking how societies develop
their values and perspectives, you will be able to explore how
they do so over the course of some of the most exciting periods
of human history.
A range of student activities will be available to you and many of
these help you to develop the kind of skills employers look for.
Graduates go on to work in many careers: some have entered
professional schools in such fields as law, journalism, or are in
communal or social work. Others have combined their interest
in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies with careers in
business, NGOs, international human rights, and the arts. All
have found the degree to be an intellectually and personally
rewarding experience and an important aspect of their career
pathway.
Course content
The Junior Freshman year
In the first year we offer introductory courses in the origins
of Ancient Near Eastern, medieval and modern Jewish and
Islamic civilisations explored through literature, inscriptions,
and archaeological evidence.
n
The World of the Ancient Near East and the Bible
explores the environment of the world of ancient Israel and
Judah using both literary and archaeological evidence.
Particular attention is paid to the worldviews of the ancient
Israelites and their neighbours in the land of Palestine and
in Babylonia, Persia, Egypt and the Hellenistic and Roman
worlds. The origin of different Jewish groups including the
early Christian movement is explored.
n
Introduction to Islamic civilisation
introduces history,
texts and cultural contexts for the development of Islamic
civilisation from its origins in the Arabian peninsula to the
present. Sources examined include the Qur’an, Islamic art
and architecture, and literature of the Middle East.
n
Introduction to Jewish Civilisation from Antiquity to the
Modern Period
outlines the major cultural movements in
Jewish history from their ancient origins in the Near East
through the medieval Muslim and Christian societies up to
the modern experience.
The second and third years
From the second year on, you may choose from a range
of courses depending on the individual interests you have
developed in your first year. You will be able to study diverse
cultures in the ancient, medieval and modern worlds through
political, religious and literary texts, material culture, blogs and
film. Topics include Ancient Empires of the Mediterranean and
the Near East, Arabs in Antiquity, Jews and Muslims in Modern
Europe, and Great Jewish books.
In addition you have the option to take Arabic, Greek or Hebrew.
In second year you may take a course in Trinity College’s Broad
Curriculum programme (see page 14).
The Senior Sophister Year
In your final year you will be able to choose special subjects
from a range on offer. Courses offered in recent years include:
The Jews of Egypt; Islam and Human Rights; Islam and gender;
Holocaust representation; The Bible in popular culture. In
addition to these courses, you will be able to write a thesis on a
topic of interest to you.