Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies offers an in-depth exposure to Jewish culture, literature, history, and texts. Optional Hebrew and Yiddish language classes are offered. The degree covers the full range of the Jewish experience from antiquity to the present day. By analyzing texts, weighing evidence, reading analytically, and communicating persuasively, graduates are prepared for careers in policy, education, religious and secular leadership, journalism, government service, and more.

Academic Plans

The Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Program and Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Maryland is a small community where students receive individualized attention. The center is also home to the Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies. Courses are offered in Jewish studies, other religious studies, the Middle East, Israel studies, and more. Faculty expertise spans the Late Bronze Age to the present, with interdisciplinary specializations including history, film, and philosophy. Students are welcomed into a culture of intellectual exploration and communal involvement.

Coursework

Jewish studies coursework offers majors the flexibility to follow their own intellectual interests. Students can select from courses exploring topics as wide-ranging as ancient archaeology, modern politics in Jerusalem, American Jewish society, and the intricacies of medieval philosophy. Students deepen their abilities to think about cultural diversity while broadening their understanding of Jewish culture and religion. Majors pick from a general Jewish studies track or a language-enhanced track where Hebrew or Yiddish are popular choices.

Career Readiness

The College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) offers courses designed to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce, along with integrated and individualized academic and career advising. Alumni continue on to graduate school or forge their careers in a variety of industries and fields.

Internship Placements

• Avodah Jewish Service Corps
• InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
• U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
• U.S. House of Representatives

Graduate School Placements

• Boston University
• Brandeis University
• Georgetown University
• University of California, Los Angeles

Employer Placements

• Forbes News Agency
• Hillel International
• Northwell Health
• Sirius XM
• U.S. Department of State

Requirements for the Major

From Fall 2020

The major in Jewish studies has been revised to include two tracks: a General Jewish Studies track without language requirements, and a Language Enhanced track. Current majors may decide to be grandparented into the old major requirements or request to switch to these revised major requirements.

• One of the following I-series courses:
  • JWST187: “God, Land, Power, and the People: Moral Issues in the Jewish Historical Experience”
  • JWST171: “Is Judaism a Religion?"
• Three of the following from at least two areas:
  • History
    • JWST231: “Jewish Texts and Cultures of the Second Temple Period”
    • JWST233: “Why the Jews? Historical and Cultural Investigations”
    • JWST275: “The Jew and the City through the Centuries”
    • ISRL289: “New Explorations in Israel Studies: (ISRL289I: “The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: Fundamental Questions”)
  • Literature and/or Film
    • JWST272: “Introduction to Jewish Literature”
    • ISRL282: “Introduction to Israeli Cinema”
  • Thought, Culture and/or Religion
    • JWST250: “Fundamental Concepts of Judaism”
    • JWST262: “Introduction to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament”
    • ISRL249: “Selected Topics in Israel Studies”
  • Capstone: One of the following:
    • JWST409: “Research Seminar in Jewish Studies”
    • ISRL448: “Seminar in Israel Studies”

General Jewish Studies Track

• Area of Emphasis: Four courses (12 credits) at the 300-400 level in one of the core Jewish studies areas
• In-Major Electives (9 credits)

Language Enhanced Track

• Six credits at the 300-400 level in Hebrew, Yiddish, or other relevant language with written permission of the Jewish studies advisor
• Nine credits at the 300-400 level in one of the core Jewish studies areas
• In-Major Electives (9 credits)

Before Fall 2020

Prerequisite: Hebrew language skills corresponding to the second level (HEBR211: “Intermediate Hebrew I” or equivalent. Students can declare the major at any time and take other Jewish studies courses while they are working to satisfy this prerequisite.

• HEBR 212 (or HEBR 313) or equivalent.
• JWST 233 (historical and cultural investigations in Jews and Judaism)
• JWST 272 (survey of Jewish literature)
• Course in Jewish thought, religion, or culture
• JWST 409 (senior research seminar, preferably related to area of specialization)
• Upper-level course on Hebrew (or other non-English) text (taught in English, preferably related to area of specialization)
• 5 courses related to area of specialization (at least 3 must be upper-level)
• 2 Jewish studies electives (at least 1 must be upper-level)
• 3 supporting courses (non-Jewish studies, at least 2 must be upper-level)

Advising

Making an Appointment

Students enrolled in the Jewish studies major are advised on two tracks. The must meet with their College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) advisor:

• before or during their first semester
• when they declare a major in ARHU
• when they complete 45-55 credits
• when they complete 90-100 credits

In addition, Jewish studies majors have mandatory advising every semester.

What to Expect from Advising

Students who wish to major in Jewish studies should expect to meet with the Jewish studies advisor each and every semester. During these meetings, the advisor will chart a student’s progress through the major.

Honors in Jewish Studies

The Honors Program in Jewish Studies is designed to encourage Jewish studies majors with excellent grades and strong academic interests to pursue an individual research project of their own design, in consultation with and under the direction of an advisor. The program consists of 12 credits taken in a student's junior and senior years culminating in the writing of an honors thesis. Students who complete the honors program are deemed to have completed the research seminar requirement for the major, typically completed through JWST 309.

Junior Year

Students apply for admission to the honors program in the fall of their junior year, and, upon admission, enroll in the Honors Seminar (JWST 408) (3 credits) in the spring of their junior year. During this time students are expected to develop a general research plan to be approved by the prospective thesis advisor.

Senior Year

In the fall of their senior year students select an upper-level course (3 credits) closely related to their research agenda in consultation with the advisor. This may include a regularly offered undergraduate course or independent study, in which case students are encouraged to apply for an honors option for that particular course. In addition, students may request permission to enroll in a graduate-level course to complete this part of their requirement. Students who enter the honors program with a clearly defined research interest may complete this requirement in their junior year.

In addition, students take 6 credits of JWST 418: “Honors Thesis Research,” under the direction of their thesis advisor. Typically these will be divided between the fall and spring semesters. Students are expected to work out with their advisors clear goals that contribute to the thesis as a whole for each semester of thesis research, and will be graded each semester on the basis of having met those goals. In the second semester, the principal goal will be the completed thesis.