Minors

The Minor in Jewish Studies at Rutgers offers a flexible,  high-yield way to explore thousands of years of history,  culture, literature, and thought—all in just 6 courses.

Whether you want to understand the roots of global conflicts, dive into rich literary traditions, or explore modern identity, this minor can fit seamlessly into your schedule.

Requirements:

 Minors must complete six 3-credit courses (18 credits total)  in Jewish Studies with a grade of C or better, as follows:

• Two required courses:
  • Jewish History I: Ancient and Medieval (01:563:201) [Core Curriculum Course]
  • Jewish History II: The Modern Experience (01:563:202) [Core Curriculum Course]

• 12 credits of elective courses. No more than two courses can be in elementary- and intermediate-level language.

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. No more than two courses may be double counted toward both the Jewish Studies major or minor and another major or minor.

Explore your interest in Holocaust studies with this interdisciplinary minor.

Take courses to understand the Holocaust within larger historical contexts and examine Holocaust remembrance in literature, film, and other works.

The courses offered for this minor are posted below and will be updated each semester.

Fall 2026 Courses

• History of the Holocaust (01:510:261 / 01:563:261) 
  
  • Required course for the Holocaust Studies minor
  • This course fulfills Core Learning Goal HST
• Antisemitism (01:510:269 / 01:563:261)
  • This course fulfills Core Learning Goals CCD and HST
• Revolutionary Russia and the Soviet Union (01:510:375)
• Eastern Europe, 1800 - 1945 (01:510:381)
  • This course fulfills Core Learning Goal WCd

For more information about this minor, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Uncover the ancient world...

If you have ever wanted to read foundational texts in their original language, discover the mysteries of ancient empires, or explore the roots of global religious traditions, this minor is your gateway.

Requirements:

Language and Culture of Ancient Israel minors must complete six 3-credit courses (18 credits total) from the courses listed below.

A student may not major in Jewish Studies and minor in the Language and Culture of Ancient Israel at the same time.

The following courses count toward the minor.

Jewish History I: Ancient and Medieval (01:563:201)
Dead Sea Scrolls (01:563:340)
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew I (01:563:141)
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew II (01:563:142)
Readings in Biblical Hebrew Prose (01:563:433)
Readings in Biblical Hebrew Poetry (01:563:434)
Introduction to Rabbinic Literature (01:563:437)
Women in the Bible (01:563:265)
Introduction to Aramaic (01:563:145)
Introduction to Semitic Languages (01:563:409)
The Bible in Aramaic (01:563:146)
Ugaritic (01:563:405)
Hieroglyphic Egyptian I (01:563:421)
Hieroglyphic Egyptian II (01:563:422)
Ancient Near Eastern Religions (01:563:324)