Jewish Orientalism: Paradigms and their Discontents in Historiography and Culture

It has been almost four decades since the appearance of Edward Said's Orientalism. As such it is timely to critically audit its subsequent influence on modern Jewish historiography and culture. Thus the seminar will probe the historical triangle of 'western', 'eastern European' and Mizrahi; a creative tension at still stands at the core of much of modern Jewish and Zionist culture. It will also re-evaluate the ethnic categories of Sepharad and Ashkenaz by tapping onto a whole host of (and not only textual) primary sources. A critical glance at the way the Israeli-Arab conflict, Islam and Arab civilization in general have figured in this context will also be offered. Special emphasis will be put on native agency and differing native responses to Western hegemony.