Program Overview

Hebrew and Judaic Studies (BA)

The Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies offers one of the most comprehensive Jewish studies programs in North America for undergraduate students. Courses are taught in Hebrew language and literature as well as in Jewish history and culture from the ancient world to the present. The department’s internationally-renowned faculty includes specialists in Biblical and ancient Near Eastern studies, Second Temple Judaism (including Dead Sea Scrolls), Talmud and rabbinics, medieval and modern Jewish history, medieval and modern Jewish philosophy and thought, Jewish mysticism, modern Hebrew and Yiddish literatures, and the history, politics, and society of modern Israel.

Program Description

The department offers a major and minor in Hebrew and Judaic Studies. Highly motivated students are encouraged to participate in the department’s honors program, which includes taking graduate courses or honors seminars and, in the senior year, writing an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are also encouraged to study at the NYU Global Academic Center in Tel Aviv, Israel, which offers a variety of courses on Israel and Jewish studies.

Taxonomy Codes

• NYSED: 78403
• HEGIS: 0399.00
• CIP: 05.0200

Honors Program

Students who have been in residence at New York University for at least two full years, completed 64 credits of graded work, and maintained GPAs (overall and major) of at least 3.65 may apply for the honors program. As part of their major requirements, honors students must complete at least two graduate courses or honors seminars in the department. In addition to the major requirements, students must register for HBRJD-UA 997 Independent Study:Hebrew or HBRJD-UA 998 Independent Study (1-4 credits), for the purpose of writing an honors thesis under the supervision of a department faculty member.

Admissions

New York University's Office of Undergraduate Admissions supports the application process for all undergraduate programs at NYU.

Program Requirements

The major requires nine 4-credit courses (36 credits) which must be completed with a grade of C or better. Courses graded Pass/Fail do not count toward the major. At least one course must be completed in each of four chronological divisions: biblical, ancient/rabbinic, medieval, and modern. Students must also demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew language equivalent to HBRJD-UA 4 Intermediate Hebrew II. A minimum of five courses (20 credits) must be taken in residence at NYU or at one of NYU’s Global Academic Centers (including NYU Tel Aviv). Only one course may be double-counted toward the requirements of another department.

Course List

• General Education Requirements:
  • First-Year Seminar (4 credits)
  • EXPOS-UA 1 Writing as Inquiry (4 credits)
  • Foreign Language (16 credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (4 credits)
  • Physical Science (4 credits)
  • Life Science (4 credits)
  • Texts and Ideas (4 credits)
  • Cultures and Contexts (4 credits)
  • Societies and the Social Sciences (4 credits)
• Major Requirements:
  • Select a minimum of nine 4-credit courses (20-36 credits)
• Electives:
  • Other Elective Credits (60 credits)
• Total Credits: 128

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study includes the following courses:

• 1st Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA 1 Elementary Hebrew I, Physical Science, Texts and Ideas, First-Year Seminar
• 2nd Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA 2 Elementary Hebrew II, EXPOS-UA 1 Writing as Inquiry, Life Science, Cultures and Contexts
• 3rd Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA 3 Intermediate Hebrew I, Quantitative Reasoning, Elective, Elective
• 4th Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA 4 Intermediate Hebrew II, Societies and the Social Sciences, Elective, Elective
• 5th Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA XXX Major Elective 1 of 5, HBRJD-UA XXX Major Elective 2 of 5, Elective, Elective
• 6th Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA XXX Major Elective 3 of 5, Elective, Elective, Elective
• 7th Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA XXX Major Elective 4 of 5, Elective, Elective, Elective
• 8th Semester/Term: HBRJD-UA XXX Major Elective 5 of 5, Elective, Elective, Elective

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of program requirements, students are expected to have acquired:

1. Proficiency in Hebrew language skills, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, at a level equivalent to Intermediate Hebrew II.
2. An understanding of Jewish history and culture across the biblical, ancient/rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods.
3. The ability to apply this acquired historical and cultural knowledge in a variety of contexts, including careers in academia, business, government, or nonprofit organizations.
4. Proficiency in written and oral communication.

Policies

• NYU Policies: University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
• College of Arts and Science Policies: A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.