Mar 29, 2024  
Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
Course Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Jewish Studies Major


The major consists of a minimum of 9 full courses (or the equivalent).

Note: Students must earn minimum grades of C- or P for all courses that apply toward the major.


arrow View the catalog page for the Jewish Studies department.   

Learning Objectives:

  • substantial knowledge of the diversity within and the complex development of Jewish communities, religious and intellectual traditions, literature, art, and culture
  • in-depth interdisciplinary understanding of one or more approaches to the materials of Jewish Studies, including religious studies, cultural studies, comparative literature, or history, and familiarity with the key texts and cutting-edge work in those fields
  • skills in research, written expression, and oral communication, including the critical analysis of primary and secondary texts and the cultural frameworks within which knowledge is produced
  • the ability to research and present a significant project within the field of Jewish Studies

Summary of Requirements


Notes:
No more than five full courses can come from a single cross-listed department (Comparative Literature, History, or Religion). JWST courses are identified by cross-listed departments below.

Recommended Language Study
We encourage students to include language acquisition as part of their Jewish Studies major, and two semesters of a single language connected to global Jewish experiences can count toward the elective requirement in the major. We encourage students to study Hebrew and Yiddish through Winter Term, summer study, or regular-semester study abroad programs. Arabic, German, Greek, Russian, and Spanish are offered at the College. Language courses should be selected in consultation with the academic advisor.

Study Away


Up to two courses taken on study away programs may count toward the major or minor. A student’s petition to count such courses should be approved by the program chair before the course has been completed.

We encourage students to study away to pursue advanced language and culture study, and to explore summer programs and fellowships for lesser-taught languages.

Honors


Qualified students wishing to do an advanced research project in JWST, working closely with an appropriate faculty member, are invited to apply for admission to the Honors Program for their seventh and eighth semesters. Students wishing to be considered for the Honors Program must consult the Director of Jewish Studies and submit a statement of the proposed topic and its methodology and bibliography (8-10 pages total), by April 15 of the student’s sixth semester.  Admission to the program and actual award of Honors will be determined by JWST faculty based on the student’s academic record in JWST and the College, the strength of the proposal, and the level of excellence achieved in the completed project.

Jewish Studies Major Course Lists


Approved Jewish Studies Electives


Return to the summary of requirements.

Note: Additional courses with Jewish Studies content that do not have the JWST designation may count toward the major with approval of the chair.

Capstone Requirement


Return to the summary of requirements.

The senior capstone project in Jewish Studies will be completed through a capstone course offered in the appropriate JWST-affiliated department with advising from a JWST faculty member. Majors must (a) discuss and gain approval for their potential capstone topic with their JWST advisor; (b) determine which JWST-affiliated department would best serve the topic and apply to that department’s capstone instructor for consent into the capstone course; (c) concurrently
enroll in JWST 400, a zero credit Pass/Fail course; (d) fulfill all course requirements.

Capstone course and final project grades are determined by instructors according to the criteria set for the course.