Program Overview

B.A. in Judaic Studies (The George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies)

Overview

The B.A. in Judaic Studies is a broad, flexible, interdisciplinary program designed for undergraduates to gain an understanding of Jewish civilization and its historical and diverse cultural experiences.

Curriculum Requirements

The program requires the following courses:

• Major Requirements:
  • JUS 231: Jewish Civilization: Society, Culture and Religion (3 credits)
  • Choose one of the following courses in Jewish or Israeli literature offered by the English Department (3 credits):
    • ENG 205: Jewish Literature
    • ENG 363: Jewish American Literature
    • ENG 365: Literature of the Holocaust
    • ENG 384: The Bible as Literature
  • Choose one of the following courses in Hebrew at the 200 level or higher (3 credits):
    • HEB 201: Intermediate Hebrew I
    • HEB 202: Intermediate Hebrew II
  • Choose one course in Ancient Jewish History and Society and one course in Modern Jewish History and Society (6 credits)
  • Choose five JUS courses in classes listed in the JUS Degree audit or combined sections approved for JUS credit hours (15 credits)
• General Education Requirements:
  • Written Communication Skills:
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • WRS 106: First-Year Writing II (3 credits)
    • or ENG 106: Writing About Literature and Culture
  • Quantitative Skills:
    • MTH 108: Precalculus Mathematics II (3 credits)
  • Areas of Knowledge:
    • Arts & Humanities or People & Society Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities Cognate (depending on which one is fulfilled through the major) (9 credits)
    • STEM Cognate (9 credits)
• Additional Requirements:
  • Language Requirement (3 credits)
  • Natural Science Course (3 credits)
  • Electives (57 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 120

Suggested Plan of Study

The suggested plan of study is as follows:

• Freshman Year:
  • Fall:
    • WRS 105: First-Year Writing I (3 credits)
    • MTH 108: Precalculus Mathematics II (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities Cognate (First Course) (3 credits)
    • HEB 101: Elementary Hebrew I (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • WRS 106: First-Year Writing II (3 credits)
    • STEM Cognate (First Course) (3 credits)
    • HEB 102: Elementary Hebrew II (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Sophomore Year:
  • Fall:
    • JUS 231: Jewish Civilization: Society, Culture and Religion (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities Cognate (Second Course) (3 credits)
    • HEB 201: Intermediate Hebrew I (3 credits)
    • Minor (First Course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Choose one course in Jewish or Israeli Literature offered by the English Department (3 credits)
    • JUS 301: Studies in Judaica (3 credits)
    • Minor (Second Course) (3 credits)
    • STEM Cognate (Second Course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Junior Year:
  • Fall:
    • JUS 324: The History of Zionism (3 credits)
    • Minor (Third Course) (3 credits)
    • STEM Cognate (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Choose one course in Modern Jewish History and Society (3 credits)
    • Choose one course in Ancient Jewish History and Society (3 credits)
    • Minor (Fourth Course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
• Senior Year:
  • Fall:
    • Any Upper Level JUS Course (3 credits)
    • Minor (Fifth Course) (3 credits)
    • People & Society or Arts and Humanities Cognate (Third Course) (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
  • Spring:
    • Any Upper Level JUS Course (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)
    • Elective (3 credits)

Mission

The Judaic Studies Program is a broad, flexible, interdisciplinary program designed for undergraduates to gain an understanding of Jewish civilization and its historical and diverse cultural experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies will:

• Demonstrate knowledge of key topics in ancient and modern Judaic Studies
• Relate specific subject matter to the broader context of Jewish civilization
• Communicate in Hebrew, including speaking basic conversational Hebrew and reading and composing simple texts
• Be able to speak basic conversational Hebrew as well as read and compose simple texts

Honors in Judaic Studies

Honors in Judaic Studies consist of the above plus an Honors Thesis and one additional elective at the 300 level or higher.

Grade Requirements

A grade of “C-” or better must be attained in each course taken for the JUS major with an overall GPA of 2.0.