Transformations of Judaism in Modernity 15 credits

About the course

This course deepens students' specialized knowledge in the history of Judaism and Jewish/non-Jewish relations, with a special emphasis on contestation and religious change in the modern era. It specifically attends to issues of Jewish representation and self-presentation as drivers of religious change, and equips students to consider the representational framework as potentially applicable to other religious communities. The course consists of three modules of 5 credits each.

Modul 1: Emancipation and Religious Change in the 19th Century (5 credits)
This part traces the impact that the debate over Jewish Emancipation, citizenship, and integration on the formation of forms of modern Jewish thought such as Reform, Orthodoxy, and early Zionism.

Modul 2: Antisemitism and the Holocaust (5 credits)
This part focusses specifically on antisemitism and the Holocaust as factors external to Judaism which prompted significant changes to Jewish religious self-understanding. It will particularly engage with current scholarly debates on the question of Holocaust uniqueness, discussing both lines of continuity from Emancipation debates as well as distinctive features of the antisemitism of the 1930's.

Modul 3: Representation and Religious Change in the 20th Century (5 credits)
This part traces developments in Judaism in the 20th century including both external factors (post-Holocaust dialogue, the state of Israel, feminism, postcolonialism) and Jewish communal, cultural, and religious responses to these. It focusses particularly on the role of public representations of Judaism in religious debate and the creation of new forms of Jewish understanding and expression.

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Autumn 2025
- Transformations of Judaism in Modernity
  
  Second admissions round for EU/EEA citizens
  
  Autumn 2025 / Varied / English / Web-based (online)
  
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  Starts
  1 September 2025
  
  Ends
  18 January 2026
  
  Number of credits
  15 credits
  
  Type of studies
  Web-based (online)
  
  Mandatory meetings
  No mandatory meetings
  
  Study pace
  50%
  
  Teaching hours
  Mixed
  
  Study location
  Varied
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-12034
  
  Outline for distance course
  Mandatory online meetings for instruction and examination may be included.
  
  For the course, a computer (Windows 10 or later or macOS), stable internet and a headset and webcam are recommended. The possibilities of using the learning platform Canvas via mobile or tablet/iPad are limited. As a browser, Chrome or Firefox is recommended.
  
  Eligibility The course requires university or college studies in theology and / or religious studies comprising 60 credits with a passed result of at least 45 credits, of which at least 7.5 consists of the elements Religion and Society, History of Religion, Judaism or equivalent.
  
  Selection
  Academic credits
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 15 April 2025. The application period is closed. Please note: This second application round is intended only for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 24,150
  
  Total fee: SEK 24,150
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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