Program Overview

Undergraduate Program in Jewish Studies

The University of Waterloo offers an undergraduate program in Jewish Studies, which provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Jewish history, culture, and religion.

Requirements for the Minor in Jewish Studies

To complete the minor in Jewish Studies, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete eight term courses.
• At least four courses must be Jewish Studies courses, which can be taken on campus or through distance education.
• The remaining courses must be chosen from an approved list of related courses from interdisciplinary Arts departments, in consultation with the Chair of the Program.

Admission Criteria

Students registered in regular degree programs in any faculty may register for the option/minor. Students in non-degree or post-degree studies may be admitted to the diploma. For the option/minor or diploma, the cumulative average in these courses must be at least 65%.

Courses

The program offers a range of courses, including:

Jewish Studies Courses

Students can view the schedule of classes for undergraduate students available for the current term and the next term.

Interdisciplinary Courses

The following courses from various departments are possible areas of study that a student may take for credit towards a Jewish Studies option (Arts), minor (other faculties), or diploma (post or non-degree):

• Classical Studies courses:
  • CLAS 210: History of Ancient Law (HIST 210/LS 235)
  • CLAS 325: Greek and Roman Religion (RCS 315)
• English courses:
  • ENGL 202A: The Bible and Literature 1
• History courses:
  • HIST 223: The Holocaust in History
  • HIST 237: The Ancient Near East and Egypt (CLAS 237)
  • HIST 263: The Age of Revolution: Europe in the 19th Century
  • HIST 341: The Nazi Occupation of Europe
• Philosophy courses:
  • PHIL 230J: God and Philosophy
  • PHIL 380: History of Ancient Philosophy (CLAS 361)
• Religion, Culture and Spirituality courses:
  • RCS 110: Religions of the West
  • RCS 121: Evil
  • RCS 258: God
  • RCS 260: Religion Matters
  • RCS 284: Gender and the Great Religions (GSJ 261)