Fall 2011

RELI 498K/2 - A (3 credits) J. 1600-1815 (cross-listed with RELI 698M/2 AA)      
Writing Yourself Into History: Autobiography & Jewish Identity                    
Instructor: Dr. Norman Ravvin
Prerequisite: Permission of the department          

This course will approach autobiography from a creative and scholarly standpoint.  We will explore the genre, from the particular position of Jewish writing and culture.  But students will have the opportunity, as part of their written work, to write their own autobiographical diary or memoir.  This will allow us to approach things historically, generically as well as personally.  The course meetings will include conventional lectures as well as some in-class discussion of students’ own writing.  Students of Jewish history, literature, creative writing and cultural studies will find their backgrounds intersect with the course’s approach.  This is a seminar-format course in which both upper-level undergraduate and graduate students will be participating.

RELI 331/2 - A (3 credits) T.J. 1015-1130(cross-listed with ENGL398X)                               
Literature and the Holocaust
Instructor: Norman Ravvin
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:45-13:00
 

Religious, historical, literary, and political contexts have been applied to come to terms with the events of the Holocaust. All of these are relevant as students read important and provocative novels dealing with such issues as ethics, the relationship between art and history, the use of humour and popular cultural forms, as well as the way that storytelling helps direct our understanding of events that are often said to be incomprehensible. The wider impact of fiction dealing with the Holocaust on the popular media, including film, CD ROMs, video, and news reporting, is also considered Note: Students who have received credit for this topic under an RELI 398 number may not take this course for credit.

Fall 2010

RELI 636A/2 AA  (498F)    
Religion & Literature                      
Instructor: Dr. Norman Ravvin
Thursdays 16:00-18:15           

What are the strengths of literary works in understanding religious tradition?  In what way can literary texts stand as revisions or re-interpretations of religious texts and belief?  This course will apply these questions with regard to a number of religious traditions.  Readings will include canonical religious, literary and critical texts.  We will consider the way that certain provocative books have created social and political unrest, as well as examining the way that certain thinkers help us understand literary undertakings as expressions of religious modes of thought and creativity. 

RELI 332/2 – A (3 credits)                                                                            
Canadian Jewish Literatures
Instructor: Norman Ravvin
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:45-13:00
 

This course explores the Jewish voice in Canadian literature which can be seen to be the first opening toward a multicultural tradition in this country. Writers such as A.M. Klein, Mordecai Richler, Henry Kreisel, and Leonard Cohen created an English-language tradition of Jewish writing that is varied, provocative, and lively. Students look at novels, short stories, some poetry, memoir, and criticism. Students also consider non-Jewish authors, such as Gwethalyn Graham and Mavis Gallant, who were among the first to write about Jewish characters for an English-speaking Canadian audience. This course allows students to consider issues related to Canadian identity and culture, ethnic studies, and multiculturalism alongside literary questions. Note: Students who have received credit for this topic under an RELI 335 number may not take this course for credit.

Winter 2009

RELI 331/4 - A (3 credits)
Literature and the Holocaust
Instructor: Dr. Norman Ravvin
Mondays and Wednesdays 13:15-14:30

 Religious, historical, literary, and political contexts have been applied to come to terms with the events of the Holocaust. All of these are relevant as students read important and provocative novels dealing with such issues as ethics, the relationship between art and history, the use of humour and popular cultural forms, as well as the way that storytelling helps direct our understanding of events that are often said to be incomprehensible. The wider impact of fiction dealing with the Holocaust on the popular media, including film, CD ROMS, video, and news reporting is also considered.

Note:   Students who have received credit for this topic under a RELI 398 number may not takethis course for credit.

RELI 498F/4 - AA (3 credits) (cross-listed with RELI 636A/4 AA and ENGL 498A)
Religion and Literature
Instructor: Dr. Norman Ravvin
Mondays 16:00-18:15
 (Advanced Topics in Religion) Prerequisite:Permission of the department.

 What are the strengths of literary works in understanding religious tradition? In what way can literary texts stand as revisions or re-interpretations of religious texts and belief? This course will apply these questions with regard to a number of religious traditions. Readings will include canonical religious, literary and critical texts. We will consider the way that certain provocative books have created social and political unrest, as well as examining the way that certain thinkers help us understand literary undertakings as expressions of religious modes of thought and creativity. This is a seminar-format course in which both upper-level undergraduate and graduate students will be participating.

More Information

For more information on these courses or to learn how to register, please contact:

Department of Religion, Concordia University,
Tel.: (514) 848-2424 ext. 2065, E-mail: merid@alcor.concordia.ca
Undergraduate advisors: Dr. Donald Boisvert (dlb@alcor.concordia.ca), Dr. Ira Robinson (robinso@alcor.concordia.ca)