Modern Jewish Literature
Literature in Translation 272/Religion 272
Spring 2008
Texts
Isaac Bashevis Singer, In My Father’s Court; Gimpel the Fool and Other Stories; Enemies: A Love Story
Amos Oz, A Perfect Peace
A. B. Yehoshua, The Lover
Emuna Elon, If You Awaken Love
Course packet [=CP] (obtain from Karen Lyle, Newcomb 6)
Course Requirements
* Attendance of classes and informed participation in discussions (15% of course grade)
* Three short interpretive papers (of about 2 pages each), consisting of an interpretation of a day's reading assignment (according to one of the five groups into which you have been assigned [ABCDE]). Each paper should explore in some depth one important aspect of that day’s reading assignment which has caught your interest, such as a theme, a character, a conflict or turn in the plot, or metaphors in the language. Please document all material referred to in the paper (page numbers). Papers will be graded for perceptive reading of the material, supported by specific examples or evidence, and for depth and significance of the interpretation. Students may be asked to read their paper in class for group discussion. (12%)
* Three five-minute quizzes on the photocopied essays (6%)
* Spot quizzes testing preparation of daily reading assignments (up to 4%)
* Two papers, the one with the higher grade counting 25%, the lower grade 20%
Paper 1: a 6-7 page essay on a theme in the writings of Singer, due May 9
Paper 2: a 6-7 page essay on a theme in the Israeli novels, due May 30
* Final: either (1) a Journal consisting of 2-page responses to aspects of each reading assignment (15) in the course, plus a longer final reflection, due by April 1 (seniors: May 30); OR (2) a final exam consisting of a comprehensive essay-question on the readings (18%)
* Extra-credit projects: view any of the listed films and write about them; or read an additional book by one of the authors studied in class, and compare (see Guidelines). Due April 1 (seniors: May 30).
Classes and Assignments
April
21 Introduction to Isaac B Singer and his cultural background
23 Singer, In My Father's Court 3-86, 95-101, 109-15, 130-49 [Student group A]
25 In My Father's Court 151-68, 175-94, 201-212, 225-47, 254-80, 286-307 [B]
28 Singer, Gimpel the Fool 3-88 [C]
J.A. Eisenberg, “Isaac Bashevis Singer: Passionate Primitive or Pious Puritan?” [cp]
* Quiz on Eisenberg’s essay
30 Gimpel the Fool 89-205 [Group D]
May
2 Singer, Enemies, A Love Story 3-83 [E]
5 Enemies, A Love Story 85-207 [A]
7 Enemies, A Love Story 209-80 [B]
* Hand in unfinished journal (if you selected this project instead of the final exam).
9 * Paper 1 due in class. Introduction to Israeli literature (attendance required)
12 Oz, A Perfect Peace 2-114 [C]
14 A Perfect Peace 115-253 [D]
Yudkin, "The Jackal and the Other Place‑-the Stories of Amos Oz" [cp]
*Quiz on Yudkin’s essay
16 A Perfect Peace 254-374 [E]
19 Yehoshua, The Lover 3-84 [A]
Wachtel, AA.B. Yehoshua: Between the Dream and the Reality@ [cp]
*Quiz on Wachtel’s essay
21 The Lover 87-226 [B]
23 The Lover 227-352 [C]
26 Elon, If You Awaken Love 1-109 [D] (Use Glossary at back to explain foreign words)
Joshua Cohen, “Star-Crossed Sabras” [CP]
Orit Avishai, “Imagining ‘The Orthodox’ In Emuna Elon's Heaven Rejoices” [CP]
28 If You Awaken Love 111-219 [E]
Arthur Kemelman, “Samaria" [CP]
Emuna Elon, “If You Prick a Settler…” “Give Judaism Back to the People”[CP]
*Quiz on essays by Cohen, Avishai, Kemelmon, Elon
30 * Paper 2 due in class. Review