Program Overview

Jewish Studies Program Overview

The Jewish Studies major introduces students to the diverse identities, experiences, and traditions that have characterized Jews and Judaism over thousands of years, as well as a wide range of tools for critical analysis. The program allows students to take courses from across a variety of departments, including Religious Studies, History, World Languages and Cultures, Art History, and Philosophy.

Program Details

• The Jewish Studies major offers an interdisciplinary and globally relevant education that explores Jewish history, culture, philosophy, religion, and language.
• Students gain a broad perspective on Judaism’s historical evolution and contemporary relevance, engaging with topics such as the Holocaust, American Judaism, and the Middle East.
• With small class sizes, renowned faculty, and hands-on learning experiences, the program prepares students to analyze complex global issues, understand religious and cultural diversity, and develop strong research and communication skills.

Careers

A Jewish Studies degree equips students with critical thinking, historical analysis, intercultural communication, and ethical reasoning skills, preparing them for diverse and impactful career paths. Alumni have successfully pursued careers in:

• Education & Academia – Teaching, research, and museum curation related to Jewish history, religion, culture, and philosophy
• Law, Public Policy, & Human Rights – Advocacy, policy development, and nonprofit leadership focused on religious freedoms, historical preservation, and global justice
• Media, Journalism, & Publishing – Writing, editing, and content creation for publications covering Jewish thought, heritage, and global affairs
• Religious & Community Leadership – Roles in interfaith organizations, Jewish cultural centers, and religious studies programs
• Business, Marketing, & International Relations – Careers in cross-cultural business, nonprofit management, and public administration, leveraging expertise in Jewish studies and global affairs

Featured Courses

REST 361

The American Jewish Experience: An exploration of the history, culture, and major developments in American Jewish life.

JST 381

Judaism: History, traditions, philosophy, and religion of the Jewish people grounded in the ancient period, but includes diaspora, emancipation, and haskalah.

JST 350

The Afterlife of the Holocaust: Selected themes, issues, figures, movements, and problems in the German-Jewish relationship as reflected in literature and culture from the 1750s to the present. Variable content. Taught in English.

JST 383

Ancient Jewish History: Biblical-Talmudic periods (1200 BCE – 600 CE). Origins of the Israelites, development of independent Israelite and Jewish states in the ancient Near East, rise of Jewish Diaspora communities, cultural convergences with Hellenism and early Christianity, and the development of Rabbinic Judaism.

Complementary Minors

• Hebrew
• History
• Political Science
• Religious Studies

Program Requirements

The Jewish Studies major allows students to tailor their own education, with only one required course, enabling them to select other courses from a diverse group of classes. The program offers both a major and a minor in Jewish Studies, with specific requirements for each.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers the Jewish Studies program through the College of Arts and Sciences, providing students with a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education in Jewish history, culture, philosophy, and religion. The program is designed to equip students with critical thinking, historical analysis, and intercultural communication skills, preparing them for a wide range of career paths and further academic pursuits.