Jewish Studies

The Center for Jewish Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish studies, as well as a minor certificate. A strong interdisciplinary curriculum provides a basis for understanding the broad spectrum of Jewish culture and history. Students can concentrate on one of four tracks within the major.

Overview

The Center for Jewish Studies fosters the academic study of Jewish culture, society and religion for all students at the University of Florida. Students are expected to develop as critical thinkers, aware of the diversity and complexity of the field. The center promotes a broad and comprehensive approach including the arts, politics and religion. The curriculum emphasizes historical transformations and comparative frameworks among various Jewish communities and with other groups and religions. Courses draw upon a variety of theoretical approaches to the study of class, ethnicity, gender, race and sexuality with methodologies that are both textual and performance oriented.

The program may serve as preparation for graduate work in Jewish studies, as background for a career in Jewish education or community service, or as an area of special interest, that will enrich the undergraduate experience. Students often combine the JST major or minor with other majors and go on to professional careers in law, medicine, journalism, business or other professions.

Coursework for the Major

The major requires a minimum of 27 hours in Jewish studies and related courses with minimum grades of C. In addition, one year of Hebrew or the equivalent is required. A minimum of 15 hours for the major must be taken at the University of Florida. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in 201 Walker Hall.

Required Coursework

• JST 2930 Introduction to Judaism or an introduction to Jewish culture, Jewish history or a survey course in Jewish studies
• Senior seminar, generally offered every other spring, or an equivalent JST course requiring a comprehensive research paper
• Minimum 21 hours at the 3000 level or above

Special topics courses in other departments may be counted toward the major provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish studies. Individual work (JST 4905) is also available for independent study and special projects which will also fulfill requirements for the major. No more than six hours of independent study (JST 4905) will be counted toward the minimum. Normally, no more than 12 hours of the minimum may be transfer credit; however, all transfer credits in JST-related courses from UF-approved programs abroad will apply toward the major.

Course Details

Most JST courses are listed in the schedule of courses under Jewish Studies. Related courses offered by other departments are listed in the African and Asian Languages and Literatures, Anthropology, English, Religion, History and Political Science departments. A list of courses is available in the center each semester before advance registration.

Concentrations/Specializations

Students can concentrate in one of four specializations:

• History, Politics and Society
• Israel Studies
• Literature, Film and Cultural Studies
• Thought and Tradition

Honors

Honors in Jewish studies can be earned by students who have at least a 3.5 GPA in their upper-division work and a 3.5 GPA in the major. Students who seek honors are required to complete an honors project, with a grade of A or B, under the guidance of a Jewish studies faculty member. In their senior year, honors students should register for JST 4940, a 2-3 credit course.

Internship in Jewish Communal Services

Students can gain practical experience as an undergraduate through the internship option of JST 4940. The goal of this program is both to expose the student to the opportunities for service in the world of organized Jewry and to provide a means for students to understand how Jewish values are propagated in organized settings. Students earn credit for volunteer work and training in applied settings such as Jewish family and social services agencies, community centers, federations, educational institutions, museums, newspapers, denominational organizations, public affairs groups, synagogues, Hillel or equivalent institutions. To qualify for JST credit, the organization must have an explicit public tie to Judaism and be approved for internship credit by the Center for Jewish Studies.

Overseas Study

The Center for Jewish Studies provides counsel regarding study abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Haifa University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The overseas programs at these Israeli universities offer summer, one semester and full-year courses of study. Information is available in 201 Walker Hall and at the UF International Center, 170 Hub.

Scholarships are available. Travel restriction updates are available on the department website.

Critical Tracking

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

• 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5

Semester 2

• Maintain 2.0 UF GPA

Semester 3

• Complete HBR 1130

Semester 4

• Complete HBR 1131 and one Jewish studies course with a 2.5  critical-tracking GPA

Semester 5

• Complete all critical-tracking courses with a 2.5  critical-tracking GPA

Recommended Semester Plan

Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).