Requirements for a major in Jewish Studies
Two-Track Jewish Studies Major
Track A: Jewish Studies Major (563)
Twelve courses (at least 36 credits), as follows:
Three required courses (9 credits total):
Jewish History I: Ancient and Medieval
Jewish History II: Modern
Research and Writing in Jewish Studies
Students are advised to take the first two courses as early as possible in their studies, preferably before their junior year. Jewish History I is offered every Fall and Spring semester. Jewish History II is offered only in the Spring semester. The seminar is not regularly offered. In the Fall of your Junior year, plan a meeting with the Undergraduate Director, Prof. Michal Raucher, to discuss meeting this requirement.
Electives (27 credits):
At least one elective must be a course (at any level) in pre-modern Jewish history, literature, or culture, and at least one elective must be a course (at any level) in modern Jewish history, literature, or culture.
Track B: Jewish Studies Major with Advanced Language (563L)
Twelve courses (at least 36 credits), as follows:
Three required courses (9 credits total):
Jewish History I: Ancient and Medieval
Jewish History II: Modern
Research and Writing in Jewish Studies
Students are advised to take the first two courses as early as possible in their studies, preferably before their junior year. The seminar is normally taken during the second semester of the junior year.
Proficiency in Hebrew or Yiddish
Hebrew: complete Intermediate Hebrew (563:132) or its equivalent; two semesters of language classes must be taken at Rutgers.
Yiddish: meet with Undergraduate Director to discuss study options, including intensive summer courses offered by other institutions).
Electives (21 credits):
At least one elective must be a course (at any level) in pre-modern Jewish history, literature, or culture.
Honors Thesis:
Qualified students--based on a GPA of 3.0 cumulative, 3.4 in Jewish Studies--may apply to do an Honors Thesis in Jewish Studies in either Track A or B. Honors Thesis counts as two electives.
Learning Goals for the Jewish Studies Major (Tracks A and B):
- Conceptualize the development of Jewish culture and history over time (from the era of the Bible until the present) and across space (comparing the variety of Jewish cultural production in a given historical moment).
- Recognize and analyze a variety of Jewish Studies primary sources, both pre-modern and modern.
- Apply secondary sources and methodologies appropriately.
- Demonstrate research skills (bibliographic, analytic, research, and writing) and competence in textual analysis through guided researching and writing of a research paper over the course of a semester.
- For Track B only: Demonstrate language proficiency in Hebrew or Yiddish.