Universität Wien

010033 VO Introduction to Judaism (2025W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 1 - Theologien und Religionswiss.
MIXED
Moodle
Mo 10.11. 13:15-14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1

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Details

Language: German

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Monday 06.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 13.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 20.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 27.10. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 03.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 17.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 24.11. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 01.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 15.12. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 12.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 19.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1
  • Monday 26.01. 13:15 - 14:45 Hörsaal 1 Hauptgebäude Tiefparterre Stiege 1 Hof 1

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Goals:
The aim of the course is to gain an overview of the history and leading themes of Judaism. The connection between the Jewish history, the developing monotheism and lifestyles should be made clear. The main features of this connection should be grasped by means of key concepts (Torah, Kashrut, Shabbat).

Contents and topics:
- Judaism - a religion?
- Judaism and its relationship to space and time
- Outlines of the history of Judaism
- The monotheistic confession
- Man in the image and likeness of God
- Torah - covenant - kashrut
- Shabbat
- Central symbols of Jewish self-interpretation
- Judaism as the basis of Abrahamic religions
- Shoah - Israel

Methods:
- Lecture and presentations; video streaming via BigBlueButton; discussions
- Summaries of each topic will be available on Moodle platform.

Assessment and permitted materials

The first exam at the end of the semester (January 26th, 2026) will be a written exam (a mixture of multiple choice, short questions and essay question) only on the basis of the topics of the lecture units. The other four examination dates will take place on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, Thursday, February 26th, 2026, Friday, March 27th, 2026, and Monday, July 6th, 2026.

Permitted aids during the examination:
None
Please, note: If cheating is suspected, an additional exam interview will be scheduled, which will affect the grade. The person concerned will be informed by email immediately after the written exam has been assessed. The same email will contain the date and time of this exam interview, which will affect the grade.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

A positive assessment of the examination is achieved if at least 50% (= 50 out of 100 points) of the required performance is achieved.
Grading scale:
100-87 points = very good
86-75 points = good
74-63 points = satisfactory
62-50 = sufficient
49-0 = not sufficient

Examination topics

Content of the lecture series

Reading list

Basic literature:
Y. Ganz (2015): The Jewish Fact Finder. Revised and Updated, Jerusalem-New York: Feldheim Publishers.
J. Neusner (2002): Judaism. An Introduction, London: Penguin Books.
English substitute literature relevant to the examination for those who like to have their exam in English:
A. Appelfeld (1994), Beyond Despair. Three Lectures and a Conversion with Philip Roth. Translated by Jeffrey M. Green, New York: Fromm International Publishing Corporation.
D. I. Grunfeld (2003): The Sabbath. A Guide to Its Understanding and Observance, Jerusalem-New York: Feldheim Publishers.
I. Kershaw: “Reactions to the Persecution of the Jews,” in: I. Kershaw (2008): Hitler, the Germans, and the Final Solution, Jerusalem-New Haven-London: Yale University Press, 151-196.
J. Neusner (2002): Judaism. An Introduction, London: Penguin Books.

Association in the course directory

für 011 (15W) FTH 05, 199 518 RK 01 (Wahl), 033 195 (17W) BAM 03, 066 795 M2a , EC Religionsgeschichte M1

Last modified: We 01.10.2025 14:45