Degree Requirements

Judaic Studies | Middle Eastern Studies

The Field

     The program in Judaic Studies seeks to cultivate an appreciation of the central role played by Jewish culture in the development of human civilization. As an interdisciplinary program, Judaic Studies exposes students to a variety of perspectives on issues of enduring importance and global concern. Students may choose from a wide selection of introductory and advanced courses in Jewish history and thought, a full program in Hebrew language and literature, and Yiddish language. Beyond the core area of instruction, the curriculum also includes courses offered by several distinguished faculty holding joint appointments in Judaic Studies.

     Students may supplement the Judaic Studies course offerings with the following options: Special Problems courses in the area of a student's particular interest may be arranged with adjunct Judaic Studies faculty. Approved one-credit courses offered through the Hillel Foundation or Chabad House may be taken by enrolling in either JUDAIC 191, 192, 193 or 194 courses.

     Students are also encouraged to spend one or two semesters of study at a recognized Israeli university, and may, with prior permission, apply Judaic and Hebrew credits toward their major in Judaic Studies. Information on available programs may be obtained at the Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies.

The Major

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. JUDAIC 101 and 102, The Jewish People I and II
   
   
2. Three years of Hebrew. Students may take Hebrew courses in a combination of language (modern and/or biblical), literature or linguistics. However, a first-year or second-year sequence in Modern Hebrew or in Biblical Hebrew followed by its Biblical Hebrew or Modern Hebrew counterpart at the same level does not constitute an additional year in the three-year language requirement.
   
   110, 120 Elementary Modern Hebrew I & II
   126, 246 Intensive Modern Hebrew I & II
   230, 240 Intermediate Modern Hebrew I & II
   301, 302 Advanced Modern Hebrew I & II
   111, 121 Elementary Biblical Hebrew I & II
   231 Readings in Hebrew Bible
   312 Classical Hebrew Texts
   351, 352 Readings in Modern Hebrew I & II
   361, 362 Modern Hebrew Literature I & II
   411 Hebrew Linguistics
   298, 398 Practica
   
   
3. Six 3-credit upper-division Judaic Studies courses (at or above the 300 level), with at least three in a field of concentration, determined in consultation with the Chief Undergraduate Adviser. Areas such as Bible, literature, or a particular period of history would be appropriate.
   
   301 Bible and Archaeology
   305 Judaism and Christianity in the Ancient World
   309 Music of the Jewish People
   319 Representing the Holocaust
   325 Jews, Christians and Muslims in the Medieval World
   333 Jewish Philosophers of the 20th Century
   335 The Jewish Experience in Europe
   345 The Making of Modern Jewry
   350 Jewish Law and Society
   353 Sephardic Cultures and Literatures of the Spanish Diaspora
   363 Negotiating Religion and State
   365 Antisemitism in Historical Perspective
   366 Modern Israel:  History, Society and Culture
   367 Israel in the 20th Century: Society and Literature
   375 The Jewish Experience in America
   385 Jews of Eastern Europe
   390B World Jewry Since 1945
   390E New Views on the Jews: Ethnic and Racial Identity and Interaction in American Jewish History
   391B Jewish-American Literature
   391C The Proverb
   391D Women, Gender, Judaism
   391F Jewish Women Writers
   391M History of the Holocaust
   392C Secular Movements, Ideologies, and Identities in Modern Israel
   392G Immigration and Culture
   392E Post-Holocaust Thought
   393B Comic Art in North America
   393C International Graphic Novel
   394C Ritual and Belief in Judaism
   395A Family and Sexuality in Judaism
   397J Observing Jewish Cultures
   397X Jewish Diaspora and Peoplehood: Communities, Culture, and Change
   
   
4. The Junior Year Writing requirement: two credits of the Junior Year Writing practicum course (JUDAIC 398W), associated with an upper-level (300 or above) Judaic Studies course designated as "Writing-intensive."
   
   An Honors option is available for qualified students.
   
   
5. The major in Judaic Studies requires at least a C average. No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.

Hebrew Language

     Students can fulfill the University language requirement with either modern or biblical Hebrew. For course listings, see above.

Career Opportunities

     A major in Judaic Studies is suitable preparation for any preprofessional training which requires an undergraduate liberal arts education. Many of our majors have plans for a career related to Judaica or graduate study. Alumni and alumnae who have majored in Judaic Studies have gone to graduate schools such as Brandeis, Harvard, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Yeshiva University School of Social Work, and have entered fields such as Jewish communal service, social work, the arts and communications, teaching, and advanced graduate study.

The Minor

     The Judaic Studies or Hebrew Minor enables students to gain grounding in some particular facet of the discipline, without fulfilling the full range of major requirements.

In Judaic Studies

1. JUDAIC 101 and 102, or their equivalent.
   
   
2. Four additional courses, at or above the 300 level, with two in a field of concentration (see course listings above).

In Hebrew

Any six courses (18 credits) in Hebrew language (beyond Hebrew 120 Elementary Modern Hebrew II), literature or linguistics (see course listings above).