Annotation
Lecturer: Dr. Adam Coman
Email: adam.coman@fhs.cuni.cz
Timetable: Tuesdays, 17:00-18:20, Room# C322
Reading and Online Assignments in Moodle.
Moodle Link: https://dl2.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=4923
Course Description:
Zionism, the Jewish national movement, began developing during the second half of the 19th century. The movement, which consisted of a number of rivalling currents, developed predominantly in Europe, where two-thirds of the Jewish people lived. Consequently, its thinkers, activities, and organizations, were influenced and shaped by contemporary European writers, trends, and events. These included the rise of nationalism and socialism, the clash between progressive movements and reactionary forces, as well as the search for security and stability in times of constant change. Consequently, the different Zionist currents – either socialist, religious, or nationalist – developed their programs in light of European realities and visions, which did not always correspond to the social, economic, and political conditions existing in the land that was to become Israel. Nonetheless, many of the problems they sought to tackle and many of their proposed programs, have endured in contemporary Israel. In the course we will study in what ways did European thought and events influenced Zionism, and what shape these influences have assumed over the time.