Jewish Studies B.A.

This broad, interdisciplinary field studies Jewish history and cultures from biblical antiquity to the present. The diverse quality of Jewish civilizations and the unifying forces of religion and language offer ample material for the study of continuity, adaptation, and change.

The undergraduate program offers courses in Hebrew Bible, Second Temple Judaism, the origins and foundational texts of rabbinic Judaism, Jewish history in the ancient, medieval, and modern worlds, Jewish literature, Jewish philosophy, the Holocaust, modern Israel, and the Jewish presence in popular culture. The program has links with the Departments of Classical & Near Eastern Studies, Sociology, History, Spanish & Portuguese Studies, French & Italian Studies, English, German, Nordic, Slavic & Dutch, Political Science, and the School of Music. The University's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies also offers courses related to the Nazi Holocaust and its aftermath.

Jewish studies majors acquire marketable skills in critical analysis, research, and writing that are applicable across all disciplines and in a variety of professions. In addition, majors gain cross-cultural awareness and sensitivity that is sought after in the workplace, as well as a historical awareness of the complexities that define the modern world. Jewish studies majors have access to undergraduate research opportunities and receive assistance in identifying internships and other professionalizing activities.