The Major
The major in Judaic Studies offers a wide range of courses that explore the history and cultures of the Jewish people from antiquity to the present. These include introductory and upper-level course offerings in Hebrew language, Yiddish, Jewish history, Israel studies, philosophy, law, politics, and film.
Degree Requirements
- JUDAIC 101 (The Jewish Experience I: Ancient to Medieval) and 102 (The Jewish Experience II: Medieval to Modern)
- Six 3-or-4 credit upper-division Judaic Studies courses (at or above the 200 level).
- Three years of Hebrew or Yiddish. Hebrew is usually fulfilled by Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Modern Hebrew (110, 120, 230, 240, 301, 302). Yiddish is usually fulfilled by a first year taken at UMass (101 and 102), followed by the Steiner Summer Yiddish Program and classes at other institutions.
- The Junior Year Writing requirement
- Integrative Experience Seminar (3 credits) in senior year
Notes:
- No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.
- Departmental Honors require an Honors project undertaken during a student’s final year.