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Major Requirements

Majors are required to complete, with grades of C- or better, 12 course credits in the Jewish studies program.

Core courses:

  • JWST 109. Jewish Tradition
  • HIST 213. Modern Jewish History
  • RELG 211. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
  • One course dealing with pre-modern Jewish history and society, to be approved by the Program Director

Language: All participants in Jewish studies must satisfactorily arrive at the intermediate level of Hebrew language acquisition (Biblical or modern) or pass an examination demonstrating that level of competence. Language study beyond the intermediate level can be counted as elective work.

Electives: Participants in the major may choose from any of the elective courses listed below. Students may petition the director to have elective study outside of this approved list counted. A one-credit internship may be counted as an elective.

  • JWST 215. Jewish Feminism in America
  • JWST 219. Israeli Film and Visual Media
  • JWST 220. Modern Israeli Literature and Jewish Heritage
  • JWST 223. American Jewish Literature Since 1865
  • JWST 229. Israeli Art: Reflecting Israeli Culture
  • JWST 308. Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism
  • RELG 214. Jews in America

Capstone/senior project: In their senior year, majors will complete JWST 497, a one-semester, one-credit senior thesis research tutorial under the primary supervision of a participating faculty member of the Jewish studies program. This thesis should be initially planned in consultation with the director. In exceptional circumstances, the director can be petitioned to allow a yearlong, two-credit thesis. The course meets the Writing Intensive Part II requirement.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Study away: Majors are strongly encouraged to pursue foreign study, usually through the Hebrew University in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv University.

Honors: The award of honors in Jewish studies will be based on excellence in the senior independent project or thesis and a grade point average of A- or better in the courses for the major.

Minor: Information regarding the Jewish studies minor can be found in the Interdisciplinary Minors section of the Bulletin.