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Religious Studies Major, B.A.–Jewish Studies Concentration
Program Overview
Program Overview
The undergraduate major in religious studies — Jewish studies concentration is an interdisciplinary curriculum that explores the history, literature, culture, and religious life of Jews in their interaction with other peoples from ancient times to the present. It also offers students an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about selected areas of the Jewish experience.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the religious studies major — Jewish studies concentration, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of Hebrew and of the history, literature, culture, and religious life of Jews across at least three historical periods
- Demonstrate knowledge of influential terms, approaches, and theories in Jewish studies
- Conduct research in Jewish studies, including interpreting primary sources, assessing scholarly literature, and constructing original arguments
- Clearly and effectively communicate the results of research
Requirements
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
- complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
- take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
- earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.
Course List
| Course List Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| JWST 100/RELI 123 | Introduction to Jewish Studies | 3 |
| JWST 697 | Capstone Course: Themes and Methodologies in Jewish Studies 1 | 3 |
| Six (6) additional Jewish Studies (JWST) elective courses, with at least two courses numbered 400 or higher. | 18 | |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Two language courses relevant to Jewish Studies, chosen from the following options: 2 | 6 |
- HEBR 101, HEBR 102, HEBR 203, and HEBR 204
- RELI 211 and RELI 212
- RELI 401, RELI 402, RELI 403, and RELI 404 | Total Hours | | 30 |
Special Opportunities in Religious Studies
Honors in Religious Studies
Students majoring in religious studies (including double majors) with a grade point average of 3.5 or above in department courses and 3.3 grade point average overall and who will have successfully completed at least one course numbered 400 or above on a topic in religious studies that is related to the proposed thesis may choose to write an honors thesis.
Study Abroad
Some courses through the Study Abroad Office can count towards the major and minor in religious studies as well.
Undergraduate Awards and Honors
The department presents three awards at the end of each academic year: the Bernard Boyd Fellowship, the Bernard Boyd Memorial Prize, and the Halperin-Schütz Undergraduate Essay Award. The department also has funds to support summer research connected to students' pursuit of a major in religious studies.
Department Programs
Majors
- Religious Studies Major, B.A.
- Religious Studies Major, B.A.–Jewish Studies Concentration
Minors
- Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Minor
- Jewish Studies Minor
- Religious Studies Minor
- Study of Christianity and Culture Minor
Graduate Programs
- M.A. in Religious Studies
- Ph.D. in Religious Studies
Courses
- Religious Studies (RELI)
- Jewish Studies (JWST)
