Religious Roots of Europe: Rabbinic Texts and Theology

The course explores selected texts from classical rabbinic literature, ranging from the Mishnah to the Babylonian Talmud. Attention is given to the political, cultural, and linguistic contexts in which these texts emerged, alongside their origin, content, and characteristics.

A substantial part of the course involves close readings of rabbinic texts in Hebrew, accompanied by English translations. To illustrate the diversity of genres within rabbinic literature, additional texts are studied in translation. This approach allows for a broader understanding of the literary and theological landscape.

Through engagement with the texts, you will develop skills in Mishnaic Hebrew and gain insight into rabbinic thought and cultural expression. The course highlights rabbinic literature as a vital source for understanding Jewish life and late antiquity, and its enduring influence on later Jewish tradition.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

The course combines digital learning with a compact seminar held in Lund. Instruction is structured around weekly assignments submitted via the course forum, where students also engage with each other’s work. This format supports a continuous and thoughtful engagement with the material.

Through guided reading and structured tasks, students develop familiarity with key rabbinic texts and their historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts. The course also introduces Mishnaic Hebrew and provides opportunities to work with texts both in the original language and in translation.

Assessment is based on a final paper where students demonstrate their ability to interpret and critically assess rabbinic literature. Completion of weekly assignments is required to qualify for the exam, ensuring a steady progression throughout the course.

The course is a component of the Master's programme Religious Roots of Europe (120 credits). It can also be studied as a freestanding course.

Prerequisites

To be admitted to the course, students must have successfully completed 90 credits in religious studies, humanities, social sciences or law of which a minimum of 10 credits must be in Hebrew (biblical or modern), or the equivalent.

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to: ECTS (HPAV): 100 %.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 22,500
First payment: SEK 22,500

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.