Jewish Studies Requirements

Jewish Studies explores experiences, expressions, and conceptions of Jewishness past and present in their diversity and complexity. Students of all backgrounds learn how to critically assess competing ideas and how to analyze intersecting identities within their social contexts. They develop leadership and social entrepreneurship skills, along with an appreciation for communal engagement, through hands-on collaboration. Jewish Studies courses foster the values of intellectual rigor, mutual respect, ongoing self-reflection, and concern for marginalized voices. The department’s faculty members devote particular attention to personal mentorship.

A minimum of nine 3- or 4-credit courses to include JS181 and JS182, at least one course on each of the department’s primary themes (Ideas & Texts, Lived Jewishness, and Community Impact), at least two research seminars (300-level courses), and the year-long JS4xx-4xx (“Capstone: Designing the Jewish Ideas Lab,” 2 credits per term). In addition, majors must take at least one semester of JS123, “Beit Midrash—Jewish Ideas Lab,” a 1-credit course graded credit/no credit, prior to their senior year.

A single course may count simultaneously toward the thematic requirement and the research seminar requirement. Majors may count up to three approved off-campus study courses as electives or, when appropriate, toward fulfillment of a thematic requirement. Majors may count as electives up to threeHebrew language courses and may count two 2-credit courses or independent studies as the equivalent of a single elective course. The year-long capstone likewise counts as a single course. Successful completion of the major requires a 2.00 grade point average for all requirements above.

Majors who enter their senior year with a GPA of 3.65 or higher within the major are eligible to enroll in a 4-credit independent study (either in a single term or spread over both fall and spring) in addition to the capstone sequence. Upon satisfactory completion of an honors thesis with retention of the required GPA within the major, students will graduate with “Honors in Jewish Studies.”

A minimum of six 3- or 4-credit courses, to include JS181, JS182, and at least one research seminar (300-level course). In addition, minors must take at least one semester of JS123, “Beit Midrash—Jewish Ideas Lab,” a 1-credit course graded credit/no credit. 

Minors may count as electives up to two approved off-campus study courses and up to two Hebrew language courses. Minors may count two 2-credit courses or independent studies as the equivalent of a single elective course. Successful completion of the minor requires a 2.00 grade point average for all requirements above.