SYLLABUS

RELI 4073: Law and Religion in Israel

Professor Randy Linda Sturman

Tues/Thurs 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Office hours: Tuesdays 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

or by appointment

Peabody Hall Room 20

583-0362

I. Introduction

A. The concept of separation of religion and state

II. History and Development

A. Founding of the country as a “Jewish State”

1. The Law of Return

i. The “Brother Daniel” case

ii. Extraditing Israeli Citizens

B. Establishment of Religious and Secular Courts

C. Attempts to form a constitution

III. Current Influences

A. Religious attitudes among Jewish Israelis

B. Political factions

1. Ultra-Orthodox Jews

2. Religious Zionists

3. Conservative and Reform movements

i. The “Women of the Wall” case

IV. Gray areas in the law

A. End-of-Life decisions

1. The “Shefer” case

B,. Beginning-of-Life decisions (abortion, surrogacy)

1. The “Nachmani” case

V. non-Jewish minorities in Israel

A. The “Katzir” case

B. Civil Rights in Israel

VI. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

A. Establishment of Israel

1. UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (Partition Plan of

Palestine)

B. Peace agreements

1. Oslo Accord

2. Wye River Memorandum

3. Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum

C. Views on Whether Jews have a right to their own country

D. Is Peace Possible?

VII. Variety of Religious Life in Israel

A. Kibbutz Life

B. Ultra-Orthodox Communities

C. Religious Settlements in the West Bank

D. Palestinian Community in Ramallah

BOOKS:

1. Course Reader

2. Yael Shefer v. State of Israel

MIDTERMS:

First midterm: Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Second midterm: Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Final exam: Thursday December 13, 2007 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Reading assignments:

Weeks 1 and 2:

Introduction

Weeks 3 and 4:

History and Development

Weeks 5 and 6:

Current Influences

Weeks 7 and 8:

Gray areas in the law

Weeks 9 and 10:

non-Jewish minorities

Weeks 11, 12 and 13:

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Weeks 14 and 15:

Variety of religious life in Israel

Course description:

This course treats issues in which law and religion meet, overlap and conflict within Israel. Topics include medical issues (end-of-life, abortion, surrogacy), religious control disputes and the restriction of non-Orthodox movements. Readings include primary sources, including texts of legal cases.

Prerequisites:

Permission of department

Policy on Honesty:

All academic work must meet the standards contained in “A Culture of Honesty.” All students are responsible to inforom themselves about those standards before performing any academic work.

Grading policy:

Two midterm examinations count approximately thirty percent each. A final examination counts approximately forty percent. Participation (quantity and quality) also count in the final grade evaluation.

Attendance Pollcy:

Attendance will not be taken in class. However, attending class regularly and particpating in class discussions will be counted in the final grade.

Policy for making up exams:

Students who have a legitimate excuse for missing an examination will be allowed to take a makeup exam. Such excuses include: illness (may be required to provide a doctor’s note), death or serious illness in family or religious holiday observance.

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary.