Lecture

Ancient Israel: Israel and Judah: The Period of Two Kingdoms

This module investigates the period of two kingdoms in ancient Israel, focusing on:

  • The separation of Israel and Judah
  • Political and cultural developments
  • The impact of foreign powers

Students will analyze historical sources to understand the complexities of this divided era.


Course Lectures
  • Ancient Israel
    Daniel Fleming

    This module delves into the foundations of Ancient Israel, exploring historical contexts, religious significance, and cultural developments. Key discussions include:

    • The origins and early history of Israel
    • The impact of surrounding cultures
    • Religious texts and their interpretations

    Students will engage with various academic perspectives to understand the complexities of Israel's beginnings and its lasting influence on contemporary society.

  • This module invites students to examine Israel in both biblical and contemporary contexts. It discusses:

    • The portrayal of Israel in biblical texts
    • The significance of Israel outside the Bible
    • Comparative cultural studies

    Through critical analysis, students will discover the multifaceted identity of Israel and its representation across different epochs.

  • This module focuses on the historical roots of Israel, tracing the development of its identity and cultural practices. Key areas of study include:

    • The early tribes of Israel
    • Significant archaeological findings
    • Influence of neighboring civilizations

    Students will engage with various sources to deepen their understanding of how Israel's roots inform its present.

  • This module expands on the concept of ancient worlds and their interactions with Israel. It covers:

    • The geopolitical landscape of the time
    • Trade routes and cultural exchanges
    • Religious influences from nearby cultures

    By examining these aspects, students will gain insights into how ancient Israel shaped and was shaped by its environment.

  • This module takes an in-depth look at the Book of Genesis, examining its narratives and themes. Students will analyze:

    • The creation stories and their interpretations
    • The patriarchs and matriarchs of Israel
    • Ethical and moral lessons derived from Genesis

    The discussions will highlight how Genesis lays the groundwork for subsequent biblical narratives.

  • This module discusses the complex relationship between God and humanity as depicted in ancient texts. Key topics include:

    • God's covenant with Israel
    • The role of prophets and their messages
    • Human responses to divine intervention

    Students will explore the theological implications of these narratives and their relevance to modern faith practices.

  • This module covers the diverse interpretations and uses of the Bible throughout history. It includes:

    • Historical context of biblical texts
    • Different theological perspectives
    • Impact on culture and society

    Through discussions, students will critique how the Bible has been utilized and its significance in shaping beliefs and practices.

  • This module focuses on the arrival of Israel as a nation, investigating the factors that contributed to its formation. Key discussions include:

    • Historical events leading to nationhood
    • Influence of surrounding nations
    • Formation of cultural identity

    Students will engage with primary sources to understand the complexities of Israel's emergence.

  • This module explores the concept of the "good life" in the context of ancient Israel, focusing on:

    • Societal structures and governance
    • Philosophical and ethical considerations
    • Comparison of ancient and modern perspectives

    Students will analyze how these concepts influenced the daily lives of individuals within ancient Israel.

  • This module examines the roles of women in ancient Israel and their influence on society. Key topics include:

    • Historical roles and representations
    • Contributions to cultural and religious life
    • Modern interpretations of women's roles

    Through critical analysis, students will explore the significance of women's contributions in shaping ancient Israel.

  • This module investigates the emergence of kingship in ancient Israel, including:

    • Historical context of monarchy
    • Key figures and their reigns
    • The impact of kingship on society

    Students will critically analyze how kingship shaped the political and cultural landscape of ancient Israel.

  • This module explores the dynamics of love and marriage in ancient Israel, focusing on:

    • Marriage customs and traditions
    • Roles of family and kinship
    • Religious and ethical implications

    Students will engage with texts and archaeological evidence to understand the significance of family structures in ancient Israel.

  • This module focuses on archaeological findings from the 10th century, examining their implications for understanding ancient Israel. Key areas include:

    • Significant archaeological sites
    • Interpretation of findings
    • The historical accuracy of biblical narratives

    Students will analyze how archaeology informs our understanding of Israel's history and culture.

  • This module investigates the period of two kingdoms in ancient Israel, focusing on:

    • The separation of Israel and Judah
    • Political and cultural developments
    • The impact of foreign powers

    Students will analyze historical sources to understand the complexities of this divided era.

  • This module explores the House of David and its significance in ancient Israelite history. Key discussions include:

    • The reign of King David
    • Legacy and cultural impact
    • Theological interpretations of David's rule

    Students will evaluate how the House of David shaped the narrative of ancient Israel and its religious traditions.

  • This module examines the interactions between Israel and neighboring cultures. Key topics include:

    • Trade and diplomacy in ancient times
    • Cultural exchanges and influences
    • Religious interactions

    Students will explore how these interactions shaped the social and cultural landscape of ancient Israel.

  • This module engages with the concept of God as depicted in various texts and traditions. Key discussions include:

    • Monotheism versus polytheism
    • God's portrayal in literature
    • Theological debates surrounding divinity

    Students will analyze how these concepts influence both historical and contemporary understandings of God.

  • This module focuses on the historical trajectory of Judah, examining its rise and fall. Key topics include:

    • The establishment of the kingdom
    • Key events leading to its decline
    • Comparative analysis with Israel

    Students will engage with primary and secondary sources to understand the complex history of Judah and its legacy.

  • This module investigates the themes of journalism and prophecy in ancient Israel, focusing on:

    • The role of prophets in society
    • Literary styles and techniques
    • The impact of prophetic messages on culture

    Students will analyze how these elements contributed to the religious and social fabric of ancient Israel.

  • This module explores the concluding chapters of Judah's history, examining its ideals and eventual decline. Key areas of focus include:

    • The cultural and political ideals of Judah
    • Factors contributing to its end
    • Lessons learned from Judah's history

    Students will engage with historical texts to understand the implications of Judah's trajectory for future generations.

  • This module examines the role of empires in the biblical context, focusing on:

    • The relationship between Israel and dominant empires
    • Impact of imperialism on ancient societies
    • Resistance and adaptation strategies

    Students will analyze how empires shaped Israel's history and cultural identity through various historical lenses.

  • This module investigates the biblical texts attributed to Judah, examining their significance and themes. Key discussions include:

    • The historical context of Judah's writings
    • Thematic analysis of significant texts
    • The influence of Judah on later Jewish traditions

    Students will engage with scriptural texts to understand how Judah's contributions continue to resonate today.

  • This module delves into the profound influence of empires on Ancient Israel, exploring themes such as:

    • The concept of power dynamics in ancient societies.
    • Influences from neighboring empires and their cultural impacts.
    • Literary reflections on empire, including a study of Melville's work.

    We will also examine the philosophical ideas of cosmopolitanism and deliberative democracy, alongside the contributions of thinkers like Raymond Williams.

  • In this module, we focus on the experiences of Jewish refugees during pivotal moments in history. Key topics include:

    • Historical contexts of Jewish resettlement.
    • The impact of displacement on cultural identity.
    • Literary analyses, including connections to Melville's narratives.

    We will also address broader questions of cosmopolitanism and the role of democracy in refugee experiences.

  • This module invites students to explore the nuanced discussions surrounding sexuality in Ancient Israel, focusing on:

    • Historical perspectives on sexuality and gender roles.
    • Literary representations in texts, including Melville's writings.
    • Social implications of sexual norms in ancient societies.

    We will also engage with contemporary theories of cosmopolitanism and their relation to historical narratives.

  • This module investigates the necessity of biblical texts in early Jewish thought, covering topics such as:

    • The role of scripture in shaping cultural identity.
    • Literary analysis of biblical narratives.
    • Connections to Melville's reflections on culture and society.

    Students will also critically assess the implications of cosmopolitanism and deliberative democracy within this context.

  • This module examines ancient Hebrew psychology, focusing on:

    • The understanding of the human psyche in ancient texts.
    • Comparative analysis with modern psychological theories.
    • Literary reflections in works such as Melville's.

    We will also explore themes of cosmopolitanism and their relevance to ancient psychological concepts.