Purpose

The B.A. Major in Jewish Studies provides students with an in-depth knowledge of Jewish studies, as well as proficiency in a language of relevance to Jewish studies. The curriculum focuses on the Jews and Judaism from antiquity to the present and their interaction with and impact on world history and cultures. Our program draws on the many disciplines necessary to study the multifaceted Jewish experience, thus bringing a variety of approaches to the study of Jewish civilization. Contributing departments include Anthropology, Comparative Literature, English, Fine Arts, Germanic Studies, History, Hutton Honors College, Musicology (Jacobs School of Music), Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, Political Science, and Religious Studies. Modern and Biblical Hebrew language courses and Hebrew literature and culture courses taught within the Jewish Studies Program offer students a way to understand Jewish culture and its historical experience through literary analysis of texts and artifacts. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the Jewish Studies Program, students enrolled in the B.A. have the opportunity to structure coursework individually, according to their specific areas of interest.

Requirements

1. JSTU-H 250, JSTU-B 250, or GER-Y 250 (3 cr.)
2. JSTU-J 251/HIST-H 251 (3 cr.) and JSTU-J 252/HIST-H 252 (3 cr.)
3. Six (6) additional courses in Jewish Studies (18 cr.) at the 300–400 level.
4. One (1) additional course (3 cr.) in Jewish Studies at any level.

A maximum of 3 courses may be credited from language testing or from transfer credit. Courses taken at Hebrew University (via IU Overseas Study) count as IUB courses.

Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Total: 30 credit hours.