LFU:online

Students are familiar with central aspects of the theory of and the historical phenomena of mass violence in the ancien Near East, especially in the neo-Assyrian and neo-Babylonian empires. They are capable of applying trauma theory for the interpretation of biblical texts and are able to address the issue of violence laden texts in the Old Testament in complex ways. 

The peoples of Israel and Judah suffered from siege warfare, massacres, destruction and mass deportations at the hands of the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian armies for the sake of imperial interests. Numerous texts of the Old Testament reflect this reality in diverse literary genres such as laments, curses, historiography and prophetic texts. This seminar combines historical and literary analysis with trauma theory. These instruments help decode texts that may seem problematic at first sight to gain insights into fundamental issues of human societies. Special attention will be paid to the theological issue of the role of God in contexts of mass violence.

reading, presentation, discussion

participation, presentation, coursework

will be presented in the course

none