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Summer Course in Israel
Religion 200 / Classics 222 / History 200
Excavating Israel: The Archaeology of Ancient Judaism and Christianity
Summer 2017, Session A, May 23 - June 20
This course centers on student participation in archaeological excavations at Shikhin, an ancient Jewish village in the Galilee region of Israel. Through this field experience, students will gain training in essential methods and theories of archaeology as well as insights into the history, culture, politics and economics of the region during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. With an understanding of these contexts, students will examine the related histories of early Judaism, the ministry of Jesus, and Christian origins. In addition to their experience in the field, students will learn through assigned readings, regular evening lectures, excursions to other significant historical sites in the region, and a final weekend exploring Jerusalem. The course will be especially attentive to the benefits and challenges of correlating ancient literary sources, including biblical narratives, with the archaeological record. Professor Pamela Reaves, pamela.reaves@coloradocollege.edu