TERM 3 UPDATE

          2010 GRADUATES PROGRAM available to Graduates
          of the Florence Melton Adult Mini School

Term Three August 2, 9,16, 23, 30 September 6,13, 20

1. Moses and Woody Allen: Jewish Heroes
    and Shlemiels
     Jan Epstein Course Code MD3/JE

Through the medium of film and literature this course will examine the Jewish people’s conflicted relationship with the idea of heroes. So many of our historical figures like King David or Moses ,literary characters like Sholem Alecheim’ s Tevye and vivid film characters like Mel Brooks’ Maxwell Smart, the Frisco Kid or Woody Allen himself - are all deeply flawed characters. Using a wide range of films and writings, the very idea of “heroes” will be deconstructed as we examine them and the motivations of their creators. This course will also examine the emergence post war of the “new Jew” the Zionist hero.

 

2. Biblical Morality
     Paul Forgasz  Course Code TE1/PF

Violence, lust, deception, murder, incest and vengeance. These are some of the topics we will explore through a close reading of various narrative and legal texts from the Bible. In doing so, we will gain an insight into the various moral perspectives of the Bible.  Indeed, it can often be difficult for modern readers to internalise the moral boundaries and world view of the Bible, and to know whether the author of a particular biblical text is commending or condemning certain behaviours. In this course we will attempt to make sense of some of the more morally problematic texts from the Bible

TERM 3 UPDATE

          2010 GRADUATES PROGRAM available to Graduates
          of the Florence Melton Adult Mini School

1. Reading Genesis – A literary approach
     Paul Forgasz Course Code TE3/PF

Bill Moyers, the creator of the groundbreaking American public television series on Genesis writes that the stories in the book speak to us because they are so human.These stories have shaped our views about human frailty, sexuality parents and children husbands and wives, sibling rivalry, faith,moral freedom and sin.Through them we learn about the best and worst of the human condition.
This course will focus on the first 25 chapters of the book of Genesis, examining the various stories about early humanity, as well as the great epic narrative about Abraham’s spiritual odyssey. These stories have shaped our views about human frailty, sexuality, parents and children, husbands and wives, sibling rivalry, faith, moral freedom and sin. Through them, we learn about the best and worst of the human condition.

2. Islam : An Introduction
     Rachel Woodlock Course Code TE3/RW

This course will provide an overview of the history of Islam and Islamicate civilisations consider various domains of Islamic knowledge (exegesis, theology, law, philosophy, mysticism); examine life-cycle rituals of Muslims; look at relations with other religious communities. particularly the Jews ;debate Muslim politics; and introduce the story of Muslims in Australia.

Participants will acquire knowledge of the basic beliefs and practices of Muslims as well as how Islam and Muslims relate to Judaism and Jews. They will develop an awareness of Muslim diversity; understand differences between traditional, neo-traditional, Islamist, Orientalist, modernist and progressive voices; and question the paradigm of the "clash of civilisations".