Jewish Studies B.A.

This broad, interdisciplinary field studies the civilization of the Jewish people from its beginning in biblical antiquity to the present. The diverse quality of Jewish civilization and the unifying forces of its religion and language offer ample material for the study of continuity, adaptation, and change.

The undergraduate program offers courses in the Bible, Jewish history, Jewish literature, midrash, Jewish philosophy, medieval and modern Jewish studies, Talmud, and rabbinics. The program has links with the Departments of American Studies, Sociology, History, English, German, Music, and Political Science. The University's Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies offers courses related to the Nazi Holocaust and its aftermath.

Study abroad in Israel or Europe is encouraged as a valuable augment to the major; consult the Learning Abroad Center at (612) 626-9000 for more information.

Admission Requirements

For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the   Office of Admissions Web site.

General Requirements

Program Requirements

Students are required to take 4 semester(s) of Hebrew.

Students complete one of two tracks, focusing on either the diversity of Jewish civilization or the the Bible and foundations of ancient Judaism. Either biblical or modern Hebrew may be required, depending on the track chosen.

Program Sub-plans

Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans. (Note for the Twin Cities and
Morris campuses: The honors sub-plan does not meet this requirement. Honors students are required to
complete one sub-plan plus the honors sub-plan. Please see an adviser if no honors sub-plan is listed
for the program.)
                 

This is an honors sub-plan.

Eligibility is based on the GPA in the student's final 60 graded credits (the full semester in which the 60th credit is received will be included) at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus (transfer credits are not included). Satisfactory completion of at least four upper division honors opportunities after completion of the 60th semester credit is required. One of the four honors opportunities must be outside the major field, a second is achieved through the honors thesis or project, and at least two of the four must be honors classroom experiences. Students must complete the honors requirements for their degree within two years of the term in which they apply for graduation. All honors courses must be graded A-F.