Course description:
This seminar explores the development of Kabbalah, i.e. Jewish mysticism. We will begin with the Hechalot/Merkavah mysticism during late antiquity, in which featured mystics’ ascent to the heavens, battles with angels in order to encounter the divine and the angel of the presence within the highest level of heaven. We will end with the beginnings of the Hasidic movement in Eastern Europe. In this course students will get an overview of the development of Kabbalah in Europe as well as the scholarly debates about this development. In addition, students will be introduced to the Jewish “Sufi” movement in the Middle East. While the modern Hasidic movement will be touched upon, the course will concentrate on Jewish mysticism in medieval and early modern Europe and the Middle East. Students will have the opportunity to compare developments in Jewish mystical thought and behavior with concurrent movements among Christians and Muslims, in order to understand the relationship between Jewish and non-Jewish thought and the social realities of Jewish life under Christian and Muslim rule. Students are expected to read primary sources in translation along with a selection of relevant scholarly literature. Course taught in English. Seminar papers may be written in English, German, or another language with consent of the professor
Requirements
BA Students: Teilnehmer CPs.
1) Do the readings listed for BA students for each meeting (usually a translated primary source)
2) Come to class prepared to discuss those readings
3) Post comments on the week’s readings on the online discussion forum on Moodle by Tuesday Noon – 12:00 pm.
Note, that you will be evaluated on the quality of both your oral and your online participation. Students may have no more than 3 unexcused absences or classes/inputs before it begins to affect your chances of passing your Teilnehmer CPs. Those who miss half or more of either the in-person discussions or the online discussion will not pass the class.
For students wishing to obtain the full, graded credit, they must write a Hausarbeit/Research paper of approximately 16 pages in length, not including the bibliography. Guidelines for a good research paper will be posted on Moodle. Due: October 1, 2026. Plagiarism or unauthorized use of AI will result in failure of the paper and the class.
MA Students: Teilnehmer CPs:
1) Do the readings listed for BA students (Usually translated primary sources)
2) Read no less than one of the articles listed under the MA readings for each week. You are encouraged to read more, if you have time.
3) Come to class prepared to discuss the readings for that week
4) Post comments on the week’s readings on the online discussion forum on Moodle by Tuesday Noon – 12:00 pm.
Note, that you will be evaluated on the quality of both your oral and your online participation. Students may have no more than 3 unexcused absences or classes/inputs before it begins to affect your chances of passing your Teilnehmer CPs. Those who miss half or more of either the in-person discussions or the online discussion will not pass the class.
Students wishing to obtain the full, graded credit for the course must write a Hausarbeit/Research paper of approximately 32 pages in length, not including the bibliography. Guidelines for a good research paper will be posted on Moodle. Due: October 1, 2026. Plagiarism or unauthorized use of AI will result in failure of the paper and the class.
- Kursleiter/in: Alexandra Cuffel