Explore Jewish history and culture in this program, while taking part in research or study abroad opportunities. You can also minor in Judaic Studies and select from classes in six different areas: history, Yiddish, Arabic, Bible, Holocaust studies, and Israel studies.
Full Time
Rolling AdmissionBachelor of Arts
36
Minor
18
Incoming students interested in a major or minor in Judaic Studies may qualify for additional scholarships through the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Submit your application and note your interest in Judaic Studies to find out more.
Explore Jewish history and culture in our cutting-edge interdisciplinary program. You can take courses in history, literature, politics, and language while participating in experiential learning opportunities through internships, faculty-led research, and study abroad programs.
Our Judaic Studies program prepares you for a successful career by helping you develop problem solving, critical thinking, writing, and communication skills. Judaic Studies courses are taught by faculty who are award-winning teachers and published authors. Their interests span a variety of disciplinary perspectives and a range of topics in Jewish history and culture, as well as religious studies and the history of the Middle East. Our class sizes are small, allowing you to collaborate with your fellow students and allowing professors to get to know you and take an interest in your work. In addition, the program offers you opportunities to gain hands-on experiences that allow you to explore your passions and try out potential future career paths in museum curation, Jewish education, public relations, non-profit management, and many other areas.
We also offer a minor in Judaic Studies, which complements any UHart major and allows you to develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.
Explore a few of the exciting Judaic Studies course offerings:
Ancient and Medieval Jewish History: Students survey of key themes and events in Jewish history from biblical times to the medieval period. Topics explored include the evolution of Jewish society and culture in the Near East and Europe, the historical roots of antisemitism, and relations between the historical experience of Jews and spiritual currents such as mysticism and the rise of various Jewish sects.
Modern Jewish History: Jewish communities experienced enormous social, political and cultural changes in the modern period. Over the course of the semester, we will explore topics such as the changing terrain of Jewish life and practice in early modern Europe and the early modern Ottoman empire; diverse responses to Jewish emancipation, enlightenment, and assimilation; the rise of political and racial antisemitism; mass migration and the formation of new centers of Jewish life; Zionism and the emergence of Jewish nationalisms; the Holocaust; and Jewish culture and identity in the twenty-first century.
Internship in Judaic Studies: This course focuses on providing students with field experience in Judaic Studies to develop the skills and knowledge that they hope to apply to future careers.
Making History: Students choose topics and conduct primary and secondary historical research on them, including how historical interpretations of their topics have changed over time. Students find and interpret primary sources, identify and report on the relevant historical scholarship, and ultimately seek to make and substantiate an original argument based on this research.
For more information, and to see a complete list of additional degree requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
You select 8 courses (24 credits). Possibilities include:
Majors are strongly encouraged to take two semesters (6 credits) of language: Hebrew, Arabic, or Yiddish.
For more information, and to see a complete list of course offerings, visit the Course Catalog.
The Judaic Studies minor requires you to take the following two courses:
You are also required to take 12 credits worth of elective courses.
For more information, and to see a complete list of minor requirements, visit the Course Catalog.
Judaic Studies and Psychology, '20
Tamar says the Judaic Studies program has taught her to think critically about history and the development of a people over thousands of years and has sharpened her oral and written communication abilities and analysis skills. She says the faculty is supportive and adaptive to student needs and there is always someone there to answer her questions and guide her through her studies.
Being a Judaic Studies student has allowed me to study abroad for a semester at Tel Aviv University in Israel. This experience enhanced my learning and truly brought the major to life. I was able to see the things I read about and discussed in class from a different lens, which has been a critical component to my education.
Our Judaic Studies graduates have had success in far-ranging fields, including:
Students earing a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies will learn to:
You'll study American industry and the development of American labor, world wars and America’s growing influence on world affairs, the impact of immigration, the birth and explosive growth of mass culture, and the struggles to extend American democracy to excluded groups.