REL 1520 - The World of Jesus

Goals: To understand the social, cultural, and political realities that comprised the world of Jesus, and to see him as an embodiment of that milieu.

Content: Movements in contemporary Judaism—Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots, Essenes—as well as institutions like Temple, Torah, and Synagogue will be studied, along with the opportunities they presented to Jesus. Special emphasis will be placed on Jewish responses to Greek and Roman imperialism and culture, and to the ways in which these responses shaped Jesus’ environment.

Credits: 4