Jews in Medieval Ashkenaz
Instructor: Alexandra Cuffel
Fridays 14:00-16:00
Raum: GB 5/38 (Zakeri)
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email:alexandra.cuffel@rub.de
Moodle password: Ashkenaz
This course examines the history and literary, artistic and religious traditions of Jews from Northern Europe during the Middle Ages. The cultural, economic and political relations between Jews and Christians will receive particular emphasis. Both Jewish accommodations and their strategies of differentiation in relation to Christians and Christian society will receive equal consideration. Also important for the course will be the impact of royal and church policies toward Jewish communities. The course will introduce students to the basic tools for research on Jews in medieval Ashkenaz. Course taught in English. Work may be submitted in English or German, or another language upon prior agreement with the instructor.
BA and MA Students: Teilnehmer CPs.
1) Do the readings listed for each meeting. MA students are expected to do more of the voluntary readings than the MA students.
2) Come to class prepared to discuss those readings
3) Post comments on the week’s readings on the online discussion forum on Moodle Thursday before class (comments accepted up until midnight)
4) 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.
5) A three-minute summary of the previous session’s discussion: What were the most important take-away-messages last week? Presenters will be chosen at the beginning of each session
Additionally for MA Students:
6) Book Review of one of the books listed (approximately 2 pages double spaced) and an informal 5 minute input about that book on the last 2 sessions of class. A guide to writing a book review will be posted on Moodle as well as a list of books you may choose. Focus of the oral presentations: What is the text’s main argument? How does the author make his or her case? What is your critique, both positive and negative?
For BA 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.
For MA 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