Program Overview

Undergraduate Program

The Undergraduate Program in Jewish Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the rich history, culture, and traditions of the Jewish people. The program provides a comprehensive education in Jewish Studies, with a focus on interdisciplinary approaches and critical thinking.

The Certificate in Jewish Studies

The Certificate in Jewish Studies is a program that allows students to demonstrate their commitment to humanities education and gain subject matter expertise in Jewish Studies. To earn the certificate, students must enroll in three Jewish Studies courses, comprising at least two core courses and one additional Jewish Studies course.

• Core courses:
  • JEWISHST 115 Understanding Jews (3 units)
  • JEWISHST 116 The Hebrew Bible: Readings in Religion and Culture (3 or 5 units)
  • JEWISHST 117 Crisis and Community in Jewish Tradition (3 units)
  • JEWISHST 147B The Hebrew and Jewish Short Story (3 or 5 units)
• Additional Jewish Studies courses:
  • JEWISHST 37Q Zionism and the Novel (3 units)
  • JEWISHST 33Q Stanford Confronts the Fascist Moment (3 units)
  • JEWISHST 101B, 102B First & Second Year Hebrew (4 or 5 units)
  • JEWISHST 104B First Year Yiddish (4 units)
  • JEWISHST 112 Passing: Hidden Identities Onscreen
  • JEWISHST 156A Narratives of Trauma and Recovery (3 units)
  • JEWISHST 247C What is Zionism? (5 units)

Requirements

To earn the Certificate in Jewish Studies, students must complete the required courses and meet with the associate director of Jewish Studies to confirm their eligibility.

FAQS

• How do I apply for the certificate? Students must review the requirements and meet with the associate director of Jewish Studies to confirm their eligibility.
• Can my certificate be awarded retroactively? Yes, as long as the student has not yet graduated.
• Will the certificate appear on my transcript? No, but students are encouraged to include this accomplishment on their resume or CV.
• Do independent studies count toward the certificate? Yes, if they are completed with a core faculty member and taken for 3 or more credits.
• Do languages count toward the certificate? Yes, Hebrew and Yiddish courses automatically count.

The Undergraduate Minor in Jewish Studies

The minor in Jewish Studies requires 30 units and may be taken as a single minor or as one of multiple minors. The minor is interdisciplinary, drawing together a wide range of disciplines including history, literary studies, religious studies, gender studies, education, and other fields.

Requirements

To earn a Minor in Jewish Studies, students must complete at least 30 units toward the minor, including:

• Jewish Studies Core Course (Jewish in 7 Concepts or Understanding Jews)
• One Core Course from CCSRE (Introduction to Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, Institutions and Inequities, Indigeneity and Colonialism, Resistance and Liberation)
• 22 Units of Jewish-Focused Courses (see a list of Jewish Studies courses or propose an independent study)