Jewish Studies, BA

Overview

A Jewish Studies major provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Jewish history, culture, religion, and thought from antiquity to the present day. It combines coursework in humanities and social sciences to explore Judaism as a civilization and culture, encompassing topics such as Jewish languages, literature, politics, and sociology. The major encourages critical thinking, comparative analysis, and a deep understanding of Jewish identity and its complex relationship with other cultures and global contexts.

Degree Requirements

To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits including major requirements, Stern College General Education and Jewish Studies requirements, and elective courses as needed.

Major Requirements (24 credits)

Jewish Studies students must complete 24 credits of advanced level Jewish Studies beyond those used to meet the Jewish Studies requirements. Major courses may be taken only in 1 or 2 areas of focus (BBLE/BIBL, JUDS, JHIS, and JPHI).

Bible (BBLE/BIBL)

	Complete one course in medieval or modern exegetical methods (e.g., BBLE 4120-4180; BIBL 1081-1097)
	Complete one course in a specific book of Tanakh

Judaic Studies (JUDS)

	Complete one text-based course (JUDS 1510-1512; 1531-1534; 1839-1854; 1871-1874)
	Complete one development of halakhah course

Jewish History (JHIS)

	Complete one course from the ancient or medieval period
	Complete one course from the modern period

Jewish Philosophy (JPHI)

	Complete one course from the medieval period
	Complete one course from the modern period