JNE 175 - Discovering the Other and the Self: Jewish Travel Literature and Autobiographical Writing, 1200-1800

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

Travel literature usually describes "other" places and peoples-otherness and the unfamiliar are its major themes. At the same time, travel writers reflect on notions of the Self and the home. Autobiography is a representation of one's self. However, the self can only be explored in relation to others. Reading early Jewish travel accounts and autobiographies from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, this class addresses questions such as: How did premodern Jews perceive themselves in a world dominated by Christians and Muslims? Where did they locate themselves between East and West? Did Jewish travelers going from the lands of Christendom to those of Islam share certain "Western" perceptions of the Islamic world? How did a Jew from Renaissance Italy negotiate between Jewish and Italian identities? Were Egyptian Jews to him distant relatives, or ultimately foreigners, "Orientals"? How did a German Jewish businesswoman view her role within a rapidly changing, yet male-dominated society? All primary sources are read in translation. In the course of their study, attention is paid to peculiarities of literary genre and the problem of how to differentiate between fact and fiction. Throughout the semester we devote time to discussing practical questions such as how to use the library's catalog and (electronic) reference sources, as well as techniques for structuring and writing students' essays.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

The Course Profile information is provided and updated by third parties including the respective institutions. While the institutions are able to update their information at any time, the information is not independently validated, and no party associated with this website can accept responsibility for its accuracy.