The City of Jerusalem: Ideas and Images
A course developed by Dr. Loren Lerner
Why I Developed This Course on Jerusalem
The Azrieli Institute of Israel Studies was established in 2011 thanks to a generous gift by the Azrieli Foundation to Concordia University in Montreal. In 2013, as a member of the Advisory Board and after a sabbatical in Jerusalem, I developed this art history course for the Minor in Israel Studies, the first and only undergraduate program of its kind in Canada. My objectives were:
- To examine forms of artistic expression including architecture, sculpture, painting and other media from across a variety of cultural identities so as to encourage respect for the art of these different communities
- To demonstrate how an expanse of history depends mainly on how one reads the evidence
- To encourage an understanding of human experiences from the viewpoint of others who interpret the world in significantly dissimilar ways
- To integrate a large historical perspective that reveals the changes in the art of particular eras, as well as the continuities of religious, ethical and social values
- To explore artistic productions and cultural practices that construct identity, influence public discourse and act as catalysts for social and political changes
See interview on Imagining Jerusalem website:
https://jerusalems.wordpress.com/2015/03/16/teaching-jerusalem-loren-lerner-concordia/
As a recently retired professor, I share with you the lectures I developed, the readings consulted, and the annual student journal I produced which contain the very best essays and works of art by the students in that year’s class.
Dr. Loren Lerner
For further course information, please click here.