Talmud Courses

Intermediate Talmud (300-350) 

Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 

Apply a methodological system to identify the seven primary categories of statements of Talmudic dialogue and analyze underlying premises of those statements; demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of the lawful and ethical concepts found in Tractate Kedushin and its major medieval and modern commentaries; analyze the goals of each statement, justify and attack the positions of all sides of Talmudic dialogue; resolve apparent difficulties in text according to the variant commentaries, and justify the proofs of Talmudic exegesis of the Bible. Version 2: Same as version 1 with expanded assessments and peer study. 

Instruction: 

Versions 1: Intermediate Talmud consists of classroom instruction, open lectures, discussions, and examinations. Students prepare and review in supervised peer study for 320 hours. Version 2: Same as version 1 with additional assessments in hermeneutics, logic, ability to understand the early commentators, and peer study and review.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (2/11). Version 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 8 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (8/21 revalidation). 

 

Advanced Talmud (400-450) 

Learner Outcomes: 

Versions 1 and 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 

Apply a methodological system to identify the seven primary categories of statements of Talmudic dialogue and analyze underlying premises of those statements; demonstrate a broad and in-depth knowledge of the lawful and ethical concepts found in Tractate Kedushin and its major medieval and modern commentaries; analyze the goals of each statement, justify and attack the positions of all sides of Talmudic argumentation, uncover the premises of each position of a controversy in Talmudic dialogue, resolve apparent difficulties in the text according to the variant commentaries, and justify the proofs of Talmudic exegesis of the Bible; and defend positions and draw conclusions about theoretical law and practical Jewish custom. 

Instruction: 

Version 1: Advanced Talmud is a twenty-week course consisting of 100 hours of classroom instruction, open lectures, discussions, and examinations. Students prepare and review in supervised peer study for 320 hours. Version 2: Same as Version 1 with additional assessments in hermeneutics, logic, ability to understand the early commentators, and peer study and review. 

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (2/11). Version 2: In the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 8 semester hours in Judaic Studies, Near Eastern Studies, or Religion (8/21 revalidation).