502Rab – Intro to Rabbinic Literature – Online Class

This class is 10 weeks long.

General Description: This course gives a general introduction to rabbinic literature including the Mishnah, Talmuds, and Midrash.

Textbooks: Strack, H. L. and Stemberger, G., Introduction to the Talmud and Midrash, 2nd Edition (Augsburg/Fortress, 1992); Fonrobert and Jaffee, eds., The Cambridge Companion to the Talmud and Rabbinic Literature (Cambridge Univ Press, 2007); Collected readings supplied by the Instructor.

Instructor: Rob Vanhoff, M.A.

Course Options: This class can be taken as a standalone class or can be taken as part of a certificate program.

Standalone: This course gives an introduction to rabbinic literature with a focus on Mishnah, Talmuds, Midrashim, and other Rabbinic Literature. This class is reading heavy but will give the student a solid understanding of the foundations of rabbinical work. Suitable for teens and adults.

Program Path: Those who are looking for a more structured workload will find this course is required for two and three-year certificates. This class does not have to be taken in a specific order to qualify for certificate credit, although we recommend taking it after first-year classes are completed. This class counts for 3 quarter hours within the certificate program.

Course Requirements: This class requires the ability to proficiently read the English language, listen to audio lectures, and basic knowledge of a computer with an internet connection.

Workload: The average workload each week is around 4 hours. This includes a lecture, assigned reading, as well as interaction in the class forum. A final exam is also required at the end of the class to complete the course.