Jewish Studies, Minor

Program Description

The Jewish Studies is a flexible interdisciplinary minor for students interested in the study of Jewish history, thought, and culture. Historical coverage ranges from ancient Israel and the contemporary world. Specializations can include, but are not limited to

• Modernity and the Jews;
• Ancient Israel, Bible, and Early Judaism;
• Holocaust, Anti-Semitism, and Genocide;
• Jews in America;
• Jewish Culture and Literature;
• Israel and Zionism; or
• Jewish-Christian Relations.

What is Jewish Studies?

Jewish Studies is an interdisciplinary program where students can learn about the history, cultures, literatures, and languages of the Jews. Specializations can include, but are not limited to, Modernity and the Jews; Ancient Israel, Bible, and Early Judaism; Holocaust, Anti-Semitism, and Genocide; Jews in America; Jewish Culture and Literature; Israel and Zionism; or Jewish-Christian Relations.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You want to think critically about the world we all live in.
• You have interest in experiences such as lectures, film series, symposia, discussions, and sponsored trips to museums and Jewish cultural sites.
• You hope to enrich your understanding of Jews, Judaism, and the Jewish experience.

Program Requirements

For the minor in Jewish Studies, a minimum of 18 credits is required, with at least 6 credits at the 400 level.

Requirements for the Minor

Up to 9 credits of study abroad may be substituted for supporting course requirements. No more than 4 credits of Modern Hebrew may count toward the requirements for the minor.

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the minor, as specified by Senate Policy 59-10. In addition, at least six credits of the minor must be unique from the prescribed courses required by a student's major(s).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
JST/HEBR 10	Jewish Civilization	3
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Supporting Courses and Related Areas: Require a grade of C or better
Select 15 credits in Jewish Studies, 6 credits of which must be at the 400 level		15

Up to 9 credits of education abroad courses selected in consultation with the adviser may be applied to the requirements for the minor. No more than 4 credits of Modern Hebrew may count toward the requirements for the minor.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

Liberal Arts Academic Advising
814-865-2545
Use the Liberal Arts Meet the Academic Advisers web page to see the contact information for the specific adviser(s) of this program

Career Paths

Jewish Studies offers a flexible curriculum that’s a natural complement to many other courses of study. Our graduates have gone on to work in business, education and academia, public service, museums, philanthropy, and many other fields. A Jewish Studies degree will make you more attractive to employers seeking well-rounded applicants who are globally conscious citizens and critical thinkers.

Careers

• Secondary and College Level Teaching
• Public Service
• The Ministry (both Jewish and non-Jewish)
• Business
• Law
• Medicine
• Archaeology

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES WITH A MINOR IN JEWISH STUDIES

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF JEWISH STUDIES
108 Weaver Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8939
jstd@psu.edu

https://jewishstudies.la.psu.edu