Gratz College JST 513 Introduction to Sabbath Liturgy Fall 2017 Syllabus Part 1: Course Information Instructor Information Instructor: Dr. Ruth Sandberg Office Telephone: 215-635-7300, ex. 168 E-mail: rsandberg@gratz.edu Course Description This course will cover the basic parts of the traditional Sabbath liturgy: the Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service and Ma ariv, as well as liturgical home rituals; the Saturday morning service, Shema and Amidah, Torah and Haftarah readings, and Mussaf service; the Saturday afternoon Minchah service, Ma ariv, and Havdalah. There will also be opportunities to compare the varying forms of Sabbath prayer found among the different Jewish movements. Prerequisites No prerequisites. Textbook & Course Materials Required Text: Hammer, Reuven. Entering Jewish Prayer. Schocken Books, 1995. ISBN Number: 0805210229 $10.70 on Amazon.com All other readings will be available online. Page 1
Part 2: Student Learning Objectives Undergraduate Learning Objectives After taking this course, undergraduate students should be able to: 1. Outline the main structure of the Sabbath liturgy. (This will be assessed through Written Assignments and the Final Exam) 2. Articulate the main themes and theological concepts of the Sabbath Liturgy (This will be assessed through Forum Discussions, Written Assignments, and the Final Exam) 3. Differentiate between prayers recited only on the Sabbath and those recited on weekdays. (This will be assessed through Written Assignments and the Final Exam) Graduate Learning Objectives After taking this course, graduate students should be able to: 1. Outline the main structure of the Sabbath liturgy. (This will be assessed through Written Assignments and the Term Paper) 2. Articulate the main themes and theological concepts of the Sabbath Liturgy (This will be assessed through Forum Discussions, Written Assignments, and the Term Paper) 3. Differentiate between prayers recited only on the Sabbath and those recited on weekdays. (This will be assessed through Written Assignments and the Final Exam) 4. Evaluate academic research on Jewish prayer not covered in class (This will be assessed through the Term Paper) Page 2
Course Requirements for BA and MA levels tied to Learning Objectives listed above, such as: For Undergraduate Students 1. Written Assignments (assess Learning Objectives 1-3) 2. Forum Discussions (assess Learning Objective 2) 3. Final Exam (assesses Learning Objectives 1-3) Graduate Students 1. Written Assignments (assess Learning Objectives 1-3) 2. Forum Discussions (assess Learning Objective 2) 3. Term Paper (assesses Learning Objective 4) Grading Percentages Forum Participation = 40% of Final Grade Written Assignments = 30% of Final Grade Term Paper/Final Exam = 30% of Final Grade Page 3
Gratz College JST 513 Introduction to Sabbath Liturgy Fall 2017 Syllabus Part 3: Topic Outline/Schedule WEEKLY SYLLABUS Week 1 August 22 Kabbalat Shabbat 1A. Video Presentation Kabbalat Shabbat 1B. Hammer Kabbalat Shabbat, pp. 213-218 1C. Abramowitz The Five Types of Kaddish 1D. Hammer The Mourner s Kaddish, pp. 281-285 1E. Comparing Prayerbooks 1F. Liturgical Video The Three Cantors sing Yedid Nefesh 1G. Forum 1: Personal Introductions 1H. Forum 2: The Meaning of the Kaddish 1I. Forum 3: Reactions to Liturgical Video Syllabus for the Course Ungraded Pre-Course Quiz Week 2 August 29 Shabbat Ma ariv and Home Rituals 2A. Video Presentation Friday night Ma ariv; Kiddush; Zemirot 2B. Hammer Sabbath Eve Service and Home Service, pp. 219-225 2C. Hammer The Alenu, pp. 206-209 2D. Comparing Prayerbooks 2E. Liturgical Video Violin version of Shalom Aleichem 2F. Assignment: The Friday Night Ma ariv 2G. Forum1: The Aleinu 2H. Forum 2: Reactions to the Liturgical Video Week 3 Sept 5 Birkhot HaShahar 3A. Video Presentation Birkhot HaShahar 3B. Hammer Preparation for Prayer, pp. 104-111 3C. Liturgical Video Yossi Azulay sings Yigdal 3D. Comparing Prayerbooks Pesukei D Zimra Page 4
3E. Video Presentation Pesukei D Zimra 3F. Hammer Verses of Song, pp. 111-120 3G. Comparing Prayerbooks 3H. Assignment: Differences in Prayerbooks 3I. Forum: Why prepare for prayer? Week 4 Sept 12 The Shema 4A. Video Presentation The Shema 4B. Hammer The Shema, pp. 121-155 4C. Comparing Prayerbooks 4D. Liturgical Video Shema in Sign Language 4E. Assignment: Differences in Prayerbooks The Amidah 4F. Video Presentation The Amidah 4G. Hammer The Amidah, pp. 156-194 4H. Liturgical Video Rachelle Shubert sings Sim Shalom 4I. Forum 1: The Theology of the Shema and Amidah 4J. Forum 2: Reactions to Liturgical Videos Week 5 Sept 19 Torah and Haftarah Service 5A. Video Presentation - The Torah and Haftarah Service 5B. Hammer - The Torah and Haftarah Reading, pp. 201-203; 229-235 5C. Comparing Prayerbooks 5D. Liturgical Video - Shlomo Carlbach sings Av HaRachamim 5E. Liturgical Video Feminist Torah Blessings 5F. Assignment: Differences in Prayerbooks 5G. Forum 1: Scripture as Liturgy 5H. Forum 2: Reactions to Liturgical Videos Week 6 Sept 26 Musaf 6A. Video Presentation Musaf 6B. Video Presentation The Purposes of the Temple Sacrifices 6C. Steinsaltz, The Musaf Service 6D. Comparing Prayerbooks 6E. Liturgical Video Brian Shamash sings Yismechu 6F. Assignment: Differences in Prayerbooks 6G. Forum: Prayer and Temple Sacrifices Week 7 October 3 Page 5
Minchah 7A. Video Presentation - Minchah 7B. Steinsaltz, The Minchah Service 7C. Comparing Prayerbooks 7D. Liturgical Video Ashrei by Jacob Greenberg 7E. Assignment: Differences in Prayerbooks Seudah Shelishit 7F. Video Presentation Seudah Shelishit 7G. Steinsaltz, The Second and Third Shabbat Meals 7H. Liturgical Videos Psalm 23 by: Yitzhak Perlman and Hazzan Helgot; on Guitar; Bobbie McFerrin 7I. Forum 1: Can we truly observe the Sabbath today? 7J. Forum 2: Reactions to Liturgical Videos Week 8 October 10 Saturday night Ma ariv 8A. Video Presentation Saturday night Ma ariv 8B. Comparing Prayerbooks 8C. Assignment: Comparing Weekday and Shabbat Ma ariv Havdalah 8D. Hammer Havdalah, pp. 235-239 8E. Comparing Prayerbooks 8F. Liturgical Video David Landesman sings Eliyahu Hanavi 8G. Forum: The Theology of Havdalah Ungraded Post-Course Quiz October 16 Undergraduate Final Exam Due Graduate Term Paper Due Page 6
Part 4: Grading Policy Graded Course Activities Forum Discussions Written Assignments Graduate Term Paper or Undergraduate Final Exam Letter Grade Assignment The following chart lists how Gratz College calculates letter grades with points earned between 0 to 100: Page 7
Letter Grade Percentage Performance A 93-100% Excellent Work A- 90-92% Nearly Excellent Work B+ 87-89% Very Good Work B 83-86% Good Work B- 80-82% Mostly Good Work C+ 77-79% Above Average Work C 73-76% Average Work C- 70-72% Mostly Average Work D+ 67-69% Below Average Work D 60-66% Poor Work F 0-59% Failing Work Important note: For more information about grading at Gratz College, visit the academic policies and grading section of the college catalog. Page 8
Gratz College JST 513 Introduction to Sabbath Liturgy Fall 2017 Syllabus Part 5: Course Policies Attend Class Students are expected to attend all class sessions as listed on the course calendar. Guidelines for Online Forum Discussions The following is the policy concerning Forum Participation in online courses and should be copied into all syllabi for online courses: 1. Forum Participation Requirements a. Students are expected to participate in all online Forums b. If a student does not participate in all the Forums, it will affect the final grade c. Forums will be open for at least two weeks from the start of each session d. NO credit will be given for a course if a student misses 50% or more of the Forums e. EXCEPTION: Consideration will be given for those students who experience a dramatic personal emergency during the semester, such as illness in the family or disruption due to weather or other issues that impede Internet access. In the event of an emergency, it is the student s responsibility to notify the instructor as soon as possible. Assessment of Student Learning The Term Paper and Forum Participation are assessed using Rubrics, which can be found at the end of the syllabus. Page 9
Building Rapport If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or other aspects of the course, make sure you let me know as early as possible. Make sure that you are proactive in informing me when difficulties arise during the semester so that we can help you find a solution. Complete Assignments All assignments for this course will be submitted electronically through Moodle unless otherwise instructed. Understand When You May Drop This Course Withdrawal from a Course Students who wish to drop a class after the drop/add period has ended must contact their academic advisor. Withdrawal from the College Students wishing to withdraw from Gratz College must notify their academic advisor. Students who withdraw from courses later than the Withdrawal deadline found in the College Academic Calendar will receive an F for the course. Incomplete Policy Under emergency/special circumstances, students may petition for an incomplete grade. To qualify for an Incomplete in this course, you must complete at least 50% of all Forums or Written Assignments by the time you request an Incomplete. If granted an Incomplete, students will have one semester to complete their Incompletes. Beyond that one-semester deadline, students must petition in writing to their academic advisor for a further extension. Faculty will no longer be authorized to grant individual extensions beyond the deadline. If no written request is given, students who do not complete their Incompletes by the end of the following semester will receive an F. Page 10
Inform Your Instructor of Any Accommodations Needed Gratz College is committed to equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities in compliance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Any students needing accommodation should contact disabilities@gratz.edu. All requests for accommodations need appropriate advance notice by the student and require supporting documentation from appropriate professionals testifying to the disability. If approved, you are responsible for discussing approved accommodations with faculty. Commitment to Integrity As a student in this course (and at this college) you are expected to maintain high degrees of professionalism, commitment to active learning and participation in this class and also integrity in your behavior in and out of the classroom. Academic Dishonesty Policy 1. Academic dishonesty includes such things as cheating, inventing false information or citations, plagiarism and helping someone else commit an act of academic dishonesty. It usually involves an attempt by a student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill that he/she does not possess. 2. Course instructors have the initial responsibility for detecting and dealing with academic dishonesty. Instructors who believe that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred are obligated to discuss the matter with the student(s) involved. Instructors should possess reasonable evidence of academic dishonesty. However, if circumstances prevent consultation with student(s), instructors may take whatever action (subject to student appeal) they deem appropriate. 3. Instructors who are convinced by the evidence that a student is guilty of academic dishonesty shall assign an appropriate academic penalty. If the instructors believe that the academic dishonesty reflects on the student's academic performance or the academic integrity in a course, the student's grade should be adversely affected. Suggested guidelines for appropriate actions are: an oral reprimand in cases where there is reasonable doubt that the student knew his/her action constituted academic dishonesty; a failing grade on the particular paper, project or examination where the act of dishonesty was unpremeditated, or where there were significant mitigating circumstances; a failing grade in the course where the dishonesty was premeditated or planned. The instructors will file incident reports with Page 11
the Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs. These reports shall include a description of the alleged incident of academic dishonesty, any relevant documentation, and any recommendations for action that he/she deems appropriate. 4. The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall maintain an Academic Dishonesty File of all cases of academic dishonesty with the appropriate documentation. 5. Student may appeal any actions taken on charges of academic dishonesty to the "Academic Appeals Board." 6. The Academic Appeals Board shall consist of faculty and at least one student. 7. Individuals may not participate as members of the Academic Appeals Board if they are participants in an appeal. 8. The decision of the Academic Appeals Board will be forwarded to the President of Gratz College, whose decision is final. Important Note: Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, may be reported to the office of academic affairs. Course policies are subject to change. It is the student s responsibility to check Moodle for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any changes will be posted in Moodle. Page 12
PART 6: SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Abramowitz, Jack. The Five Types of Kaddish. http://www.ou.org/torah/article/the_five_types_of_kaddish Donin, Hayim. To Pray as a Jew. New York: Basic Books, 1980. Hammer, Reuven. Entering Jewish Prayer. New York: Schocken Books, 1994. Hoffman, Lawrence Hoffman. My People s Prayer Book. (10 Vols.) Woodstock: New Lights Publishing, 2011. Idelsohn, A.Z. Jewish Liturgy and its Development. New York: Schocken Books, 1960. Isaacs, Ronald. Every Person s Guide to Jewish Prayer. Lanham, Jason Aronson, Inc., 1997. Jacobs, Louis. Jewish Prayer. Reprint. Eugene: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2008. Millgram, Abraham. Jewish Worship. Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 1971. Orenstein, Walter. A Window to the Siddur. Jerusalem: Urim Publications, 2009. Schaps, David. The Gates of Heaven: A Beginner's Guide to Jewish Prayer. Nanuet: Feldheim Publishers, 2010. Schonfeld, Jeremy. Undercurrents of Jewish Prayer. Oxford: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2008. Scherman, Nosson and Meir Zlotowitz. The Complete ArtScroll Siddur. 3 rd edition. Brooklyn: Mesorah Publications, 2001. ISBN: 089906650X Steinsaltz, Adin. A Guide to Jewish Prayer. New York: Schocken Books, 2000. Page 13
Rubric for Forum Discussions Sabbath Liturgy Mastery (30 points each) Proficiency (20 points each) Needs Improvement (10 points each) Number of Comments Initiating a Discussion on Forums Number of Responses to Others Comments Demonstration of Knowledge of Readings Quality of Forum Postings Posts at least 2 Comments initiating a Discussion Has at least 2 Responses to Others Comments Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the Readings Demonstrates full analysis of the readings, well organized ideas, and thorough clarity of thought Posts 1 Comment initiating a Discussion Has 1 Response to Others Comments Demonstrates partial knowledge of the Readings Demonstrates some depth of analysis, some organization of ideas, and some clarity of thought Posts no Comment initiating a Discussion Has no Responses to Others Comments Demonstrates little knowledge of the Readings Demonstrates little depth of analysis, organization, or clarity of thought in Postings Grading Scale 110-120 = A 80-90 = B 40-70 = C Page 14
Rubric for Term Paper Sabbath Liturgy Mastery (30 Points) Proficient (20 Points) Needs Improvement (10 Points) Analysis of academic research on Sabbath liturgy Clear and thorough analysis of the research Adequate explanation of the research Incomplete or unclear explanation of the research Knowledge of Sabbath liturgy Analysis of Jewish beliefs embedded in Sabbath liturgy Clear and thorough analysis of the similarities and differences in the structure of Jewish and Christian liturgy Clearly and thoroughly articulates the differing values expressed in Jewish and Christian liturgy Adequate analysis of the similarities and differences in the structure of Jewish and Christian liturgy Incomplete articulation of the differing values expressed in Jewish and Christian liturgy Little or no analysis of the similarities and differences in the structure of Jewish and Catholic liturgy Little or no articulation of the differing values expressed in Jewish and Christian liturgy Grading Scale 80-90 points = A 50-80 point = B 30-50 points = C Page 15