REL/JSP 302 Paper Topics

General Instructions: Both papers must be properly documented using either in-text references in parentheses or footnotes, and must include a bibliography citing all works consulted. ALL quotations must appear inside quotation marks and be followed by citation of the source. ALL ideas gathered from other sources and presented in your own words (i.e. "paraphrased") must also cite their sources. The papers must be typed and carefully proof-read for spelling and grammatical errors.

Historical Paper (due February 14th in class)

Write a 6-10 page research paper exploring a specific event, movement or development in the history of Second Temple Judaism. Use at least two other secondary sources in addition to the required textbooks to research your topic.

Appropriate topics for this assignment include: Why did many Jews not return from exile? What caused the conflict between Jews and Egyptians at Elephantine? Why did Antiochus Epiphanes persecute the Jews? What was Josephus' role in the First Revolt against Rome? When did synagogues first develop and why?

Literary paper (due April 16th in class)

Write a 6-10 page research paper on one complete text from the Second Temple Period, describing how it interprets biblical texts. The paper should survey the various biblical texts cited or alluded to and describe what attitude shaped these writers use of scripture.

Appropriate texts for this assignment include most of those excerpted by Schiffman, e.g. Nehemiah, Daniel, 1 Enoch, 2 Maccabees, the War Scroll, 4QMMT, Jubilees, etc.

Bibliography
On reserve in Bird library:

  • Williams, Margaret. The Jews among the Greeks and Romans: A Diasporan Sourcebook. Johns Hopkins, 1998.
  • Berquist, Jon L. Judaism in Persia's Shadow: A Social and Historical Approach. Minnaepolis: Fortress, 1995.
  • Fine, Steven (ed.) Jews, Christians and Polytheists in the Ancient Synagogue. Routledge, 1999.
  • Grabbe, Lester. An introduction to first century Judaism : Jewish religion and history in the Second Temple period. Edinburgh : T&T Clark, 1996.
  • Schäfer, Peter. Judeophobia: Attitudes tward the Jews in the Ancient World. Harvard UP, 1997.

In the Reference section of Bird library:

  • Anchor Bible Dictionary
  • Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible

Relevant journals in the Periodical section of Bird library:

  • Biblical Archeology Review
  • Jewish Quarterly Review
  • Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian and Hellenistic Periods
  • Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
  • Journal of Biblical Literature
  • Journal of Religion
  • Revue de Qumran
  • Vetus Testamentum

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