Changing Minds: Geographic Discoveries and New Worlds through the Eyes of a Renaissance Jewish Scholar from edX

This course will explore the world of the Jewish renaissance scholar Abraham ben Mordecai Fairissol and his manuscript A Letter on the Paths of the World ( Iggeret Orhot ‘Olam )— Farissol, a product of the northern Italian Renaissance, wrote this geographical treatise about a world seen anew through advances in science, exploration, and trade. The manuscript gives us insight into the place of Jews in the northern Italian Renaissance and demonstrates the ways they were at once deeply embedded in the changing intellectual landscape of the day, but also striving to assert distinctive Jewish belonging in this vibrant intellectual world. Among other things, this text is the first mention in Hebrew of the discovery of the Americas

What you'll learn

You will learn about Abraham Farissol and his text A Letter on the Paths of the World ( Iggeret Orhot ‘Olam )
You will get a sense for the political, social, intellectual and urban environment of Ferrara during the Renaissance, and the place of Jews in that environment.
The impact of new science on traditional religious thought

What's inside

Syllabus

1. Abraham Farissol and His Ferraran Environment

2. Illuminating Nature

3. Travel, Humanist Education, and the New Meaning of Geography

4. What are the Aims and Content of the Iggeret Orhot ‘Olam?

5. The Main Sources of Iggeret Orhot ‘Olam

6. How Was the Work Circulated? Who Was Interested? And Who Was the Copyist of the Schoenberg Manuscript? The Evidence from the Manuscript Itself

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for graduate students in history, Renaissance studies, Jewish studies, science studies, and geography

Led by renowned scholar Fabrizio Lelli, who is an expert in the history of science and the Jewish experience in Renaissance Italy

Offers a unique perspective on the intersection of science, religion, and Jewish identity in the Renaissance

Provides valuable insights into the impact of new geographical discoveries on Jewish thought and culture

Examines the work of Abraham Farissol, a pioneering Jewish scholar who wrote about the world's geography in the 16th century

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Changing Minds: Geographic Discoveries and New Worlds through the Eyes of a Renaissance Jewish Scholar with these activities:

Review Basic Geography Concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of basic geography concepts to enhance your comprehension of the course material

Browse courses on Geography

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Review the basics of geography, including maps, navigation, latitude, and longitude
Locate and identify the major regions and landmarks discussed in the course

Review Jewish History and Culture

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Refresh your knowledge of Jewish history and culture to provide a stronger foundation for understanding the course material

Browse courses on Jewish History

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Review key events and figures in Jewish history
Explore different aspects of Jewish culture, such as art, literature, and music
Consider the ways Jewish history and culture have influenced the development of the Jewish Renaissance

Compile a Glossary of Terms Related to the Course

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Enhance your understanding of the course material by compiling a glossary of key terms and concepts

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Review the course materials and identify key terms and concepts
Look up the definitions of these terms and concepts
Create a glossary that includes the terms, definitions, and examples of usage

Four other activities

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Discuss the Place of Jews in the Northern Italian Renaissance

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Engage with fellow students to discuss and share perspectives on the role of Jews in the Northern Italian Renaissance

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Prepare by reading the relevant sections of the course material
Join a study group or online discussion forum
Share your insights and perspectives on the topic
Listen to and engage with the ideas and perspectives of others

Review: A Letter on the Paths of the World

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Refresh the material covered in the course and test your understanding through recall

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Review the introduction and conclusion to get a sense of the main themes and arguments
Read through the chapter on Abraham Farissol and his environment
Read through the chapter on Travel, Humanist Education, and the New Meaning of Geography

Define Key Concepts Related to the Jewish Renaissance

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Reinforce your understanding of the key concepts and ideas related to the Jewish Renaissance

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Identify and list the key concepts and ideas related to the Jewish Renaissance
Use flashcards or other study aids to memorize and recall the definitions of these concepts
Test your understanding by taking practice quizzes or completing online exercises

Explain the Impact of New Science On Traditional Religious Thought

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Apply concepts covered in the course to an exploration of how new science challenges traditional beliefs and influences the evolution of religious thought

Browse courses on Science

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Identify the key scientific discoveries of the period and their implications for traditional religious beliefs
Examine how these discoveries influenced the writings and teachings of Abraham Farissol
Develop a thesis statement and outline for an essay exploring the impact of new science on traditional religious thought
Write a 1,000-word essay exploring the impact of new science on traditional religious thought

Career center

Learners who complete Changing Minds: Geographic Discoveries and New Worlds through the Eyes of a Renaissance Jewish Scholar will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Historian

This course delves directly into the historiography of the Renaissance. Historians may find the study of Farissol in this course to be useful for its real-world insights into political, social, intellectual and urban environments of the day.

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Geographer

The study of geography changed dramatically during the Renaissance, and this change is the topic of this course. Therefore, modern Geographers may find this course to be useful, as it introduces to the birth of their field of study.

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Theologian

This course delves into the impact of the geographic discoveries of the Renaissance on Jewish thought and identity. Theologians may find this course to be helpful, as it examines the relationship between science, exploration, and religion.

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Rabbi

This course delves into the world of the Jewish Renaissance scholar, examining the impact of geographic discoveries on Jewish thought and identity. Rabbis may find this course to be helpful for its emphasis on Jewish identity, and for its insights into how the geographic discoveries of the Renaissance shaped Jewish thought.

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Linguist

This course provides a detailed study of the Hebrew language during the Renaissance, considering its contrasts with Italian. Linguists may find this course to be helpful, as it introduces the history of the Hebrew language during the Renaissance, a time of great change.

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Professor

This course provides a detailed study of the Renaissance period and the influence it had on Jewish people. Professors may find this course to be helpful, as it may be used as supplemental material for courses.

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Museum curator

This course delves into the world of the Jewish Renaissance scholar, in particular his manuscript, A Letter on the Paths of the World, which examines the impact of the geographic discoveries of the Renaissance on Jewish thought and identity. Museum Curators may find this course to be helpful for its deep dive into the mindset, beliefs and changes that affected scholars of this era.

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Political Scientist

While the divide between religion and politics did exist in the Renaissance, this course shows how the two were much closer than is commonly thought today. Political Scientists may find this course to be helpful for its real-world examples of these two forces.

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Writer

This course delves deeply into the intellectual and urban environment of Ferrara during the Renaissance. Writers may find this course to be helpful for its real-world insights into the political, social, and intellectual landscape of the day.

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Cartographer

Cartographers may find this course to be useful. Abraham ben Mordecai Farissol, the subject of the course, wrote extensively about the geography of the lands he traveled, from Europe to Asia. He paid particular attention to changes that disrupted the known world of the day.

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Sociologist

The role of Jews in the northern Italian Renaissance is the focus of this course. Sociologists may find this course to be helpful for its analysis of a people within a larger society of which they were a part.

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Foreign Correspondent

The role of Foreign Correspondent in today's world has roots in the traditions of travel and exploration that began during the Renaissance, and this tradition is the focus of this course. Foreign Correspondents may find the study of Farissol in this course to be useful for its real-world insights into political, social, intellectual and urban environments of the day.

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Teacher

This course delves into the mind of a Jewish Renaissance scholar, and how he makes sense of the world based on the information available to him. Teachers may find this course to be helpful in their consideration of how to convey information to students as well as how to teach the use of critical thinking.

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Journalist

This course delves into the exploration, trade, and scientific advances of the Renaissance. This course also includes a study of the role of Jews during this time. Those intending on becoming Journalists may find this course to be helpful as it provides real-world examples of these themes impacting the lives of real people.

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Biographer

In Renaissance Jewry, biography was beginning to develop its own special niche, which would eventually merge with the new form of humanist historiography. This development went hand in hand with the rise of new conceptions of the individual that took place during the Renaissance. Scholars could translate this biographical humanist historiography to today. Therefore, those who wish to be Biographers may find this course to be helpful, as it delves into these topics.

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