The question of Jewish belonging in the Christian West has played a defining role in the formation of the modern state, and the afterlives of "the Jewish question" in Europe, America, and Israel continue to have significant influence on how political life is understood and evaluated. This course begins with classical Jewish sources on politics--including the nature of authority, national belonging, and territory--and then moves to a consideration of several crucial modern Jewish thinkers likely including Spinoza, Marx, and Arendt. The course will consistently consider topical contemporary questions about liberal democracy, totalitarianism, nationalism, Zionism, race, and secularism.
Course Attributes: EN H; BU BA; AS HUM
