The Bible in the Middle Ages
Hebrew Studies 368; History 368; Medieval Studies 368; Religious Studies 368
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Fall 2008

Class: M/W/F 9:55-10:45, 1053 Educ Sci
Instructor: E. Tod Twist                                                                                email: ettwist@wisc.edu
Office: 1352 Van Hise                                                                                    office phone:  263-2835
Office Hours: M 11:00-Noon (and by appointment)                                     cell: (608) 334-3842

Course Description:
This course aims to provide the tools for understanding and appreciating the uses and interpretations of the Bible in the European medieval period.  Our textual focus will be the Jewish TaNaKh / Christian Old Testament.  Most generally, the topics of study will include literal and figurative interpretations of the Bible as well as the nature of medieval Bible commentary.  We will begin by investigating Jewish and Christian approaches to inherited tradition through case studies. 
These case studies will involve medieval Jewish interpretation of biblical texts in Central Europe (Ashkenaz) and Southern Europe (Sepharad).  Then we will compare and contrast Jewish biblical interpretation with medieval Christian interpretation.  This textual work will provide the foundation for the discussion of several topics relating to Jewish and Christian use of the Bible in Medieval times: sermon, liturgy, education, book production, mysticism, and philosophical speculation. 

The course will then focus specifically on Jewish-Christian interaction and on some of the positive and negative results of differences between Jewish and Christian interpretation of the Bible within their respective political contexts. 

The course will conclude with an examination of representations of the Bible in art and iconography within the wider culture.  We will also examine the production of Bibles as objects in the course and learn about biblical manuscripts and the illumination of those manuscripts.

The course is intended for undergraduates. No knowledge of Hebrew or previous background in biblical studies is required.  Methodologically, we shall stress close reading and critical analysis of primary medieval and ancient texts. All readings are in English translation.

Requirements and Grading:
1. The required textbook is Smalley, The Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages.  Other readings will be posted on “Learn@UW.”

You are expected to have access to an English translation of the Hebrew Bible. You may use any translation that you wish, but I suggest that you use a scholarly translation that is fairly literal (i.e. “word-for-word”) in its style, because this will help you notice underlying language features more readily.  If you have no preference, an online version of the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) is available here:  http://www.devotions.net/bible/00old.htm

2. Arrive prepared and ready to work.  I will not accept disruptions and distractions from any source. After 3 absences, one half grade per class missed will be deducted from the final grade.

3. Assignments (30%): there are 29 written assignments connected with the readings that will be posted on “Learn@UW.”  Homework assignments should be done before the class session and be ready to be submit in typed hardcopy (i.e. not emailed, not handwritten).   Late homework and electronically-submitted homework will be penalized.   I will drop your lowest two assignment grades.

4. Exams (25% each): There will be two exams in the course, a midterm (Friday, Oct 17) and a final (Saturday, Dec 20).  I will provide a study guide for both exams.  You must take the exams at the scheduled time unless you reschedule beforehand due to religious observance.  Missed exams may be made up only in the case of an emergency.

5. Annotated Bibliography Assignments (5% each):  There will be two exercises in which you create a workable research question and develop an annotated bibliography to answer that question.  This is an opportunity to practice designing well-conceived research.  I will explain the projects in detail around the time of midterms, after you have seen some possibilities for topics. 

6.  Movie Report (5%):  We will view a dramatization of the Disputation at Barcelona on the week of Thanksgiving.  The Movie Report will be a response to the movie and the readings for those sessions.  I will give you specific instructions at the appropriate time.

7.  Required External Lecture (5%)
(most recent info linked on: http://jewishstudies.wisc.edu/):

The Center for Jewish Studies offers external lectures as part of their regular lecture series. You are required to attend one of these external lectures and submit a one-page summary of the content of the lecture on the next class session following the lecture.   I suggest Gentry’s lecture (information following), but contact me if you need to attend a different lecture (information flyer from Aug 2008 posted on Learn@UW site).

Peter Gentry—“The Great Code: Greek Bible and the Humanities”
Monday, September 22nd – 7:30 pm – Grainger Hall

8.  Possible Extra Credit:
Several of you may find yourselves in need of making up a homework assignment or trading a bad grade for a better one.  You may trade attendance at an additional external lecture for a missed homework assignment or a low grade.  I will allow you the option of making-up or trading-up two homework assignments by attending up to two additional external lectures sponsored by the Center for Jewish Studies during this semester.

9. Grading scale:          A =94.0–100           C =70.0–75.9
                                   AB= 88.0–93.9        D=60.0–69.9
                                    B=82.0–87.9          F=0–59.9
                                    BC=76.0–81.9
Office hours and Special Accommodations:
I am available during my office hour and by appointment.  Students needing special accommodations for disabilities should provide documentation from the McBurney Center at the beginning of the semester. Please inform me about any needs regarding religious observances.

Syllabus:
During the course of the semester, the syllabus and requirements may be modified. Any modifications will be announced in class and by email, with ample warning before any due dates.

Reading Schedule:  “(B)” = Bible; “(P)”= Primary Text; "(R)" = Reader; “(S)” = Smalley.

If you have trouble accessing this page, contact: Chris Dargis  (cadargis@wisc.edu)
Latest revision: 8/29/2008 (cad)

---