060016 SE Geschichte Israels I: Der Zionismus (Israel Studies) (2018W)

This course is the first part of the yearly course in Israel Studies about the History of the Zionist movement and Modern Israel. The first part will discuss the rise of the Zionist idea that became a national movement of the Jewish people. The students will be exposed to the variety of approaches and narratives, through texts by different thinkers from Martin Buber, through Theodor Herzl, Moses Hess, Nathan Birnbaum, Ahad Ha'am, A.D. Gordon, to Ze’ev Jabotinsky. We will discuss political, cultural, religious, mystical, socialist and synthetic theories of Zionism that interacted to shape the complex reality of Israel today. One major topic of discussion will be how did the 19th century idea, embedded in European thinking become a reality.

The course method is a Privatisimum and will take place every other week.

Each meeting will focus on one topic presented by a student, followed by a discussion of all participants.

The students are required to read and prepare for each meeting the assigned material and are expected to attend all meetings.

The course will be held in English and German.