Program Overview

Jewish Studies Major Program

The Jewish Studies major at UC San Diego is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Jewish history, languages, and culture. The program emphasizes critical analysis and writing, preparing students for careers in teaching, law, public policy, and other fields that value clear thought and expression.

Requirements

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

1. Survey Courses: Three upper-division survey courses are required, including:
   • One upper-division course on Jewish history and culture before 1648
   • One upper-division course on Jewish history and culture from 1648 to the present
   • One upper-division elective course
2. Elective Courses: Nine upper-division elective courses are required, which can include JWSP 101, 102, 103, and 104.
3. Language Proficiency: Students must demonstrate language proficiency in Hebrew or another relevant language. There are two tracks:
   • Track 1: Complete a six-course series in Hebrew language study.
   • Track 2: Complete a three-course series in Hebrew language study and a three-course series in another non-English language relevant to Jewish history and culture, such as German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Russian, or Italian.
4. Pass/No Pass Courses: No more than two courses may be taken pass
   o pass, and petitions must be submitted.
5. Credit for External Courses: Students may petition to receive credit for courses taken outside of the Jewish Studies program, including study abroad courses.

Testing Out

Students with prior knowledge of Hebrew may test out of some or all of the required language courses. Students who place into a second-year or higher language course may fulfill the language requirement with a higher-level language course, subject to petition.

Declaring the Major

To declare the Jewish Studies major, students should:

1. Read the general university requirements for declaring a major.
2. View a sample four-year academic plan.
3. Submit the declaration through the Major/Minor tool, using the Jewish Studies Major Code: JS25.
4. Allow 3-5 business days for the declaration to be approved and processed.

Course Petitions

Students may petition courses to count toward the major if they contain at least 50% Jewish Studies-related content. Petitions must be submitted immediately for review, along with the required documentation, including the Undergraduate Petition Form, course syllabus, and relevant coursework.

Double Major Petition

Students who wish to declare a double major in Jewish Studies must meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements and process.

Transfer Students

Transfer students should check the Transfer Admission site for information on UC San Diego's minimum requirements and deadlines. Jewish Studies does not have separate entrance requirements. Transfer students may take classes before starting at UCSD, and classes not listed on ASSIST.org may be petitioned for credit toward the major requirements.