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Jewish Studies

2011-12 General Catalog

Department of History
201 Humanities
(831) 459-2982
http://jewishstudies.ucsc.edu

Faculty | Course Descriptions

Program Description

The interdisciplinary program in Jewish studies introduces students to the study of classical, medieval, and modern Jewish cultures and to the range of disciplines that bear upon the field.

The Jewish studies major and minor offer students the chance to gain knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts in various aspects of Jewish culture, with special reference (though not limited) to modern issues. The major and minor will help them prepare to move successfully into graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, especially in humanities, social sciences, and pre-professional programs, and will provide students with a grounding in materials fundamental to western culture and liberal education. This program connects with a range of disciplines and programs on the UCSC campus that explore the meanings of modernity; at the same time, this program will help students develop analytical tools, strategic versatility, and critical literacy.

Note that modernity here is not defined as Europe or North America; the Jewish studies program intends to speak to modernity as a global phenomenon, dealing with sites where Jews lived. In the 19th and 20th centuries Jews were widely spread across the globe and often played active and influential roles in their communities. These include such places as Shanghai, Tianjin, Harbin, India, Latin America, Egypt, Iran, and of course throughout Europe, Great Britain, and North America.

Students, especially those who plan to continue their studies in graduate school, may wish to gain proficiency in Yiddish, German, or Spanish, depending on their area of interest. The upper-division course Hebrew Bible (Pre- and Early-Modern Literature (LTPR) 144B) is strongly recommended, as is developing language proficiency in Hebrew.

Jewish studies is administered by the Department of History. For additional information on curriculum and advising, go to http://jewishstudies.ucsc.edu.

Study Abroad

Jewish studies encourages students to take advantage of the Education Abroad Program (EAP). The University of California has developed educational opportunities abroad in conjunction with the Jerusalem Study Center at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Students who participate in the UC Education Abroad Program may petition to apply up to three courses from EAP toward their Jewish studies major or minor requirements.

Requirements for the Major

A prerequisite for the Jewish studies major is the lower-division sequence in elementary Hebrew (Hebrew 1, Hebrew 2, and Hebrew 3) or equivalency. Transfer students who must take Hebrew 1, 2, and 3 are permitted to declare the major in the quarter immediately after taking Hebrew 1. Students are also encouraged to take Hebrew 4 and Hebrew 5. The major requires a minimum of 13 courses, including the comprehensive requirement. A minimum of 40 upper-division units must be completed within the Jewish studies major course requirements. In consultation with a faculty adviser, students will plan a program of study to fulfill the following distribution of courses: 

  • History 74, An Introduction to Jewish History and Culture, or Literature 61J, An Introduction to Jewish Literature and Culture
  • History 80W/Literature 80L, The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry, or History 75, Film and the Holocaust
  • Jewish Studies 101, Jewish Studies: Methods and Approaches
  • two upper-division history core courses
  • two upper-division literature core courses
  • five elective courses, four of which must be upper-division
  • one comprehensive exit requirement (see below)
  • among the 13 courses required for the major, one course must satisfy the Disciplinary Communications (DC) Requirement (see below)

Comprehensive Exit Requirement

Students may satisfy the Jewish studies comprehensive exit requirement by completing an approved exit seminar (offered by history or literature) or a senior thesis (Modern Literary Studies/Pre- and Early Modern Literature 195 or History 195 A and B). Please consult the Jewish studies web site for a more detailed description of these courses.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major's upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement is satisfied through taking a history exit seminar course in a field related to Jewish studies: History 196G, 196M, 196N, 196P, or 196R. Students may take a literature senior seminar courses to satisfy the comprehensive requirement but will be required to take an additional history exit seminar to satisfy the DC Requirement.

Chronological Distribution Requirements

Among the 13 courses required for the major, at least three must meet the following chronological distribution requirements:

  • one course must satisfy the classical chronological distribution requirement
  • one course must satisfy the modern chronological distribution requirement
  • one course must satisfy the Holocaust chronological distribution requirement, which is accomplished by completing History 80W/Literature 80L, The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry or History 75, Film and the Holocaust

Please consult the Jewish studies web site for a more detailed description of these courses.
Transfer Credits and Substitutions

Jewish studies majors must take a minimum of six regularly scheduled Jewish studies courses plus the comprehensive/DC requirement from members of the UCSC Jewish studies faculty. Subject to the limits indicated, courses from the following categories may be applied to the Jewish studies major:

  • Courses taken at another institution (limit of 3)
  • Education Abroad Program (limit of 3)
  • Related courses not currently on the pre-approved Jewish studies course list (limit of 2)
  • Independent and field studies (limit of 1)

Honors in the Jewish Studies Major.

All students who announce candidacy during the academic year are reviewed for honors or highest honors in the major. The Jewish studies faculty advisers determine honors based upon courses applied toward the Jewish studies major. Performance in courses taken elsewhere and being transferred toward the major will be considered when applicable. The minimum standard applied is excellence in most courses for honors, and excellence in all courses for highest honors.

Summer graduates are reviewed for honors in fall quarter.

Minor in Jewish Studies

Students whose major area of interest is not Jewish studies may nonetheless find that a minor in Jewish studies makes an invaluable contribution to their studies. This introduction to Jewish studies is helpful for students who plan to do graduate work in Jewish studies, whether through regular disciplines or in Jewish studies programs, and also for students who plan to attend rabbinical schools or to find work with Jewish communities. For others with an interest in Jewish topics, but without such plans, a minor in Jewish studies offers intellectual enrichment and a focus within the student’s chosen field.

Requirements for the Minor

A minimum of 25 upper-division units must be completed within the Jewish studies minor course requirements. In consultation with a faculty adviser, students will plan a program of study to fulfill the following distribution of courses: 

  • one of the following courses:
    History 74, An Introduction to Jewish History and Culture; Literature 61J, An Introduction to Jewish Literature and Culture; History 80W/Literature 80L, The Holocaust: The Destruction of European Jewry; or History 75, Film and the Holocaust;
  • three upper-division core courses from the Jewish studies curriculum;
  • four elective courses, two of which must be upper-division.

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Revised: 8/13/12