Jewish Studies
Director of undergraduate studies: Hannan Hever [fall 2026], HQ 341; David Sorkin [spring 2027], HQ 270
Jewish Studies enables students to develop a broad knowledge of the history, religion, literature, philosophy, languages, and politics of the Jews. Jewish society, texts, ideologies, artistic and material cultures, and institutions are studied from a comparative perspective in the context of histories, cultures, and intellectual traditions among which Jews have lived throughout the ages. As an interdisciplinary program, Jewish Studies employs historical, literary, political, social, and philosophical methods of analysis.
The Jewish Studies major offers a broad liberal arts background combined with intensive preparation in the historical and religious experience of Jewish cultures from antiquity to contemporary times. The major can be combined, as a second major, with various other majors, including Comparative Literature, Economics, English, French, Global Affairs, History, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies.
Students considering a major in Jewish Studies should contact the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) as early as possible.
Requirements of the Major
The major in Jewish Studies requires thirteen term courses, including three courses selected from a set of core requirements; a language or literature requirement (usually fulfilled through 2 courses); three courses selected from two areas of concentration; and a 2-term senior essay or a 1-term senior essay and an additional seminar.
Core requirements Each student must elect at least three from the following: (1) a course in Hebrew Bible; (2) a course in ancient Judaism (second temple or rabbinic literature); (3) a course in pre-modern Jewish history; (4) a course in modern Jewish history; (5) a course in Jewish thought; (6) a survey course in Hebrew or Jewish literature.
Language or literature requirements Students must complete either HEBR 1100 and HEBR 1200 or two courses in Hebrew literature in translation. Up to three Hebrew or Yiddish language courses may be counted toward the requirements of the major.
Areas of concentration Students must select two of the following areas of concentration: ancient Israel/Hebrew Bible; Judaism and Jewish history of the Second Temple and rabbinic periods; Jewish history and culture in the medieval and early modern periods; modern Jewish history and culture; Jewish/Hebrew literature (which requires the study of literature in Hebrew or Yiddish); and Jewish thought. With the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, students may also design their own areas of concentration.
In each of the two areas of concentration, students choose three courses, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. These are expected to comprise one introductory course and one seminar. One relevant course should be in an area outside the program in Jewish Studies, such as a course relating to the larger historical, literary, or philosophical context if the concentration is in a historical period, or a course in the theory or practice of literature if the concentration is in Jewish/Hebrew literature.
Credit/D/Fail No more than one course taken Credit/D/Fail may be applied toward the major requirements.
Outside credit Courses taken at another institution or during an approved summer or term-time study abroad program may count toward the major requirements with DUS approval.
Senior requirement
Students are required either to complete a two-term senior essay in JDST 4491 and 4492 related to both areas of concentration or to complete a one-term senior essay in JDST 4491 or JDST 4492 related to one area of concentration and an additional seminar related to the other.
Study abroad
Students majoring in Jewish Studies should be aware of the numerous opportunities for study abroad. Those interested in research and language-study opportunities in the Middle East, Europe, and South America should consult the DUS.
SUMMARY OF MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Prerequisites None
Number of courses 13 term courses (incl senior req)
Distribution of courses 3 core courses as indicated; HEBR 1100 and 1200, or 2 courses in Hebrew lit in translation; 2 areas of concentration, with 3 courses in each for a total of 6 concentration area courses
Senior requirement Two-term senior essay (JDST 4491, 4492) or one-term senior essay (JDST 4491 or JDST 4492) and additional seminar
Jewish Studies enables students to develop a broad knowledge of the history, religion, literature, philosophy, languages, and politics of the Jews. Jewish society, texts, ideologies, material cultures, and institutions are studied from a comparative perspective in the context of histories, cultures, and intellectual traditions among which Jews have lived throughout the ages. As an interdisciplinary program, Jewish Studies employs historical, literary, political, social, and philosophical methods of analysis.
The Jewish Studies major—especially as a second major with Economics, Political Science, Literature, English, Philosophy, or History—offers a broad liberal arts background combined with an intensive preparation in the historical and religious experience of Jewish culture from antiquity to contemporary times. The major epochs of Jewish history are the Persian and Hellenistic, classical, medieval, early modern, and modern periods.
Students considering the major in Jewish Studies should contact the director of undergraduate studies (DUS) as early as possible.
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF Jewish STUDIES
Professors
Steven Fraade (Emeritus, Religious Studies), Paul Franks (Philosophy), Christine Hayes (Emerita, Religious Studies), Hannan Hever (Comparative Literature), Ivan Marcus (History, Religious Studies), Samuel Moyn (Law), Edieal Pinker (School of Management), Maurice Samuels (French), David Sorkin (History), Elli Stern (Chair)(Religious Studies), Katie Trumpener (Comparative Literature, English)
Associate Professors
Ra’anan Boustan (Divinity School), Sarit Kattan Gribetz (Religious Studies), Jacqueline Vayntrub (Divinity School), Molly Zahn (Divinity)
Professor in Practice
Peter Cole (Comparative Literature)
Senior Lectors II
Shiri Goren (NELC), Dina Roginsky (NELC)
Senior Lectors I
Joshua Price (German), Orit Yeret (NELC)