BEXP 13A10 - History of the Jews

Even though Jews and their history seems well known, in most countries there is an emphasis on the history of their persecutions rather than their history as actors of their time and the enhancement of the societies where they lived.

This introductory course has several goals:

Define Judaism and the Jewish people

Draw a brief worldwide history of the Jews over 3.800 years

Examine Jewish population in the World today

Explore a full history of the Jews in France since their arrival in the 1st century until now. We will also study what they brought to France, and how France has enriched Judaism and the history of the Jews over time

Examine over 2000 years the evolution of “the longest hate” from antijudaism to antisemitism and antizionism. We will also illustrate it with different forms and acts of persecution

Describe the destruction of Jews in Europe during WW2 and their forced exile from the Arab and Muslim world after 1948

Explore the continuous connection over 3800 years of the Jews with the land of Israel and the long history and evolution of Zionism from religious to political

Reflect on the world’s situation of the Jews today

In each session I will start with one hour lecture to introduce the subject.

Then two students will address two different given subjects on the session’s topic in a 15-minute

presentation

We will then have 30 minutes class discussion on the topic of the session and students’ presentation

1°) 40% Individual presentation

2°) 40% for a 2 hours written essay in class during the 12th session.

3°) 20% class participation