Academic Bulletin

College of Arts & Sciences - Undergraduate

THE GEORGE FELDENKREIS PROGRAM in JUDAIC STUDIES - Dept. Code: JUS
www.as.miami.edu/judaic

Educational Objectives | Major | Minor | Departmental Honors

Introduction

The George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies is a broad, flexible, interdisciplinary program designed for undergraduates to gain an understanding of Jewish civilization and its diverse cultural experiences.  The program, which is non-theological in orientation, is an academic exploration of the multi-faceted, socio-historical, 4,000-year record of the Jewish people.  Courses taught in, and cross-listed with the Program, highlight the variety of cultural, political, social, and religious experiences of Jews in different times and places.

Educational Objectives

The program is structured to provide an in-depth liberal arts education that will constitute a foundation for advanced academic study, professional careers in a variety of fields, and a more complex and rich understanding of the Jewish world.  Judaic Studies courses frequently meet the requirements for both the Humanities and Social Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, the School of Communication and School of Business, and can be used to satisfy requirements by majors and non-majors.

Major

The Major (ten courses - 30 credits):

1. Jewish Civilization:  Society, Culture, and Religion (JUS 231). Its purpose will be to acquaint beginning students with the approaches and areas of inquiry common to the field of Judaic Studies.
2. An advanced seminar in Judaic Studies (JUS 401, JUS 410, or JUS 411).
3. Survey of Jewish Literature (ENG 205).
4. A course in Hebrew at the 200-level or higher (which can be used simultaneously to fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Language requirement).
5. One course in Ancient Jewish History and Society and one course in Modern Jewish History and Society.  Courses will be designated appropriately by the Program Director each semester.
6. 15 more credits (5 courses) in classes listed in or cross-listed with Judaic Studies, 12 credits of which must be completed at the 300-level or higher. Students who complete HEB202 need only do 9 credits at the 300-level or higher.

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Minor

The Minor (five courses - 15 credits):

1. Jewish Civilization:  Society, Culture, and Religion (JUS 231). Its purpose will be to acquaint beginning students with the approaches and areas of inquiry common to the field of Judaic Studies.
2. Survey of Jewish Literature (ENG 205).
3. A course in Ancient Jewish History and Society (to be designated as such by the Program Director each semester).
4. 3 more credits (1 course) in class listed or cross-listed with Judaic Studies, which must be completed at the 300-level or higher.
5. Any student who successfully completes the 5 courses in the UGalilee Program shall also be awarded a minor.

A grade of "C-" or better must be attained in each course taken for the major or the minor with an overall GPA of 2.0.

NOTE: The School of Education now offers a Minor in Jewish Education. For more information on this Minor, please see listing under the School of Education.

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Departmental Honors

Honors in Judaic Studies consists of the items listed above under the Major, plus an Honors Thesis and one additional elective at the 300 level or higher.

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