Jewish Studies Program

The Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies provides an interdisciplinary examination of Jews and Judaism. Courses in the major explore the interactions of culture, history, language, and religion across the global Jewish diaspora. Many courses in the program satisfy General Education requirements or may be used as electives in other majors.

Program Description

The program offers a comprehensive study of Jewish languages, religious practices, and cultures around the world, explaining their history and identifying continuing changes. It analyzes how Jewish identity intersects with racial, ethnic, national, and other identities, and explains the role of foundational Jewish texts in the development of Jewish law and religious practice.

Program Requirements

• A course may be used only once within the major.
• Of the 30 units in the major, at least 18 units must be upper division.

Required Courses (18 units)

• HIST 210/JS 210 History of the Jewish People (3)
• JS 100 Jewish Religion and Culture (3)
• JS 318 Applied Jewish Ethics (3)
• JS 390CS Nonprofit Internship in the Jewish Community (3)
  • Select two courses from the following (6 units):
    • HIST 427/JS 427 Israel's History and Peoples (3)
    • JS 306/SOC 306 Sociology of Jewish Families and Communities (3)
    • JS 320/RS 320 Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) (3) or RS 101 The Bible (3)
    • JS 335/SOC 335 Jewish Identity in the U.S. (3) or JS 378/RS 378 American Jewish Experience (3)

Electives (12 units)

• Select from the upper division courses listed above as well as the following:
  • ENGL 371 Issues in Jewish-American Writing (3)
  • HEBR 101 Elementary Hebrew I (4)
  • HEBR 102 Elementary Hebrew II (4)
  • HIST 357/JS 357 History of the Holocaust (3)
  • HIST 409/JS 409 History of the Jews in the Modern Era (3)
  • JS 151 Natural Environment in Judaism (1) and RTM 151F Survival (2)
  • JS 220 Critical Thinking About Jews on Film (3)
  • JS 255 Great Books of Jewish Culture (3)
  • JS 300 Ancient and Medieval Jewish Arts and Literature (3)
  • JS 330 Women in the Jewish Experience (3)
  • JS 333 The Jewish Graphic Novel (3)
  • JS 495A-Z Selected Topics in Jewish Studies (3)
  • JS 496A-Z Experimental Topics in Jewish Studies (3)
  • JS 499C Independent Study (3)
  • RS 357 Atheism (3)

General Education (43 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 43 units of General Education, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement.

• 9 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major:
  • JS 100 satisfies Area 3B Humanities
  • JS 318 satisfies 3 units of Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • JS 210/HIST 210 satisfies 3 units of CSUN Section F Comparative Cultural Studies
• If taken, JS 220 satisfies Area 1B Critical Thinking; JS 300 satisfies Area 3A Arts; and ENGL 371, HEBR 101, HEBR 102, JS 306/SOC 306, JS 330, JS 335/SOC 335 or RS 378 satisfies 3 units of CSUN Section F Comparative Cultural Studies. ENGL 371, JS 300 or RS 378 also fulfills the Information Competence requirement.

Campus Requirements (6 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 6 units of Campus Requirements. JS 390CS meets the Lifelong Learning requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies will be able to:

1. Describe the variety of Jewish languages, religious practices, and cultures around the world, explain their history, and identify and analyze continuing changes in them.
2. Analyze how Jewish identity intersects with racial, ethnic, national, and other identities.
3. Explain the role of foundational Jewish texts in the continuing development of Jewish law and religious practice, and the major historical turning points therein.
4. Identify, define, explain, and apply major concepts in Jewish ethics, thought, religion, and/or philosophy.

Degree Requirements

• Total Units in the Major: 30
• General Education Units: 34
• Campus Requirement Units: 3
• Additional Units: 53
• Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

California State University Northridge

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Overview:

California State University Northridge (CSUN) is a public university located in Northridge, California. It is part of the 23-campus California State University system. CSUN offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines.

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Services Offered:

CSUN provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Advising & Tutoring:

Support services to help students navigate their academic journey.

Student Services & Support:

Resources for student well-being, including counseling, health services, and disability support.

Athletics:

Opportunities to participate in intercollegiate sports.

Housing & Dining:

On-campus housing options and dining services.

Health & Wellness:

Programs and resources to promote student health and well-being.

Safety & Security:

Campus security measures to ensure student safety.

University Student Union:

A central hub for student activities, events, and organizations.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

CSUN offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with numerous opportunities for student engagement. Students can:

Join Clubs & Activities:

Participate in a wide range of student organizations and clubs.

Engage in Community-Engaged Learning:

Gain practical experience through community service and outreach programs.

Study Abroad:

Expand their horizons by studying at international partner institutions.

Attend Events and Activities:

Enjoy a variety of cultural, social, and academic events on campus.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Diverse and Inclusive Community:

CSUN fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for students from all backgrounds.

Strong Academic Programs:

Offers a wide range of high-quality academic programs across various disciplines.

Affordable Education:

Provides a relatively affordable education compared to other universities.

Location:

Located in the San Fernando Valley, offering easy access to Los Angeles and its surrounding areas.

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Academic Programs:

CSUN offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various colleges, including:

College of Arts, Media and Communication

College of Business and Economics

College of Education

College of Engineering and Computer Science

College of Health and Human Services

College of Humanities

College of Science and Mathematics

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Other: