2009-10 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
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.
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.
The major requires a minimum of 27 hours in Jewish studies and related courses with grades of C or better. In addition, one year of Hebrew or the equivalent is required. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in 201 Walker Hall.
The 27 hours must include REL 2600, Introduction to Judaism, or an introduction to Jewish culture or Jewish literature. No more than two courses may be at the 2000 level (REL 2600, REL 2210 or an introduction to Jewish culture), all others must be at the 3000 level or above. Of the seven courses for the major, it is recommended that five be from one of the five tracks listed below. However, students may create an independent track in consultation with a faculty member. Independent tracks should be submitted to the director for approval. Majors should take a senior seminar generally offered every other spring or produce an original research paper for an upper-division JST course.
Jewish Studies Tracks:
Special topics courses in other departments may be counted toward the major and minor provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish studies.
No more than six hours of independent study (JST 4905) will be counted in 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 to the major.
Most JST courses are listed in the schedule of courses under Jewish Studies. Related courses offered by other departments are listed in the Anthropology, English, History, Religion, Languages, Literatures and Cultures and Political Science departments. A list of courses is available in the center each semester before advance registration and on the JST website.
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 105 Walker Hall and at the UF International Center, 170 Hub.
Scholarships are available. Travel restriction updates are available on the department website.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
| Jewish Studies |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: web.jst.ufl.edu/major_minor.shtml |
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.
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.
Courses
The major requires a minimum of 27 hours in Jewish studies and related courses with grades of C or better. In addition, one year of Hebrew or the equivalent is required. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in 201 Walker Hall.
The 27 hours must include REL 2600, Introduction to Judaism, or an introduction to Jewish culture or Jewish literature. No more than two courses may be at the 2000 level (REL 2600, REL 2210 or an introduction to Jewish culture), all others must be at the 3000 level or above. Of the seven courses for the major, it is recommended that five be from one of the five tracks listed below. However, students may create an independent track in consultation with a faculty member. Independent tracks should be submitted to the director for approval. Majors should take a senior seminar generally offered every other spring or produce an original research paper for an upper-division JST course.
Jewish Studies Tracks:
- History, Politics and Society
- Holocaust Studies
- Israel Studies
- Literature, Film and Cultural Studies
- Thought and Tradition
Special topics courses in other departments may be counted toward the major and minor provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish studies.
No more than six hours of independent study (JST 4905) will be counted in 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 to the major.
Most JST courses are listed in the schedule of courses under Jewish Studies. Related courses offered by other departments are listed in the Anthropology, English, History, Religion, Languages, Literatures and Cultures and Political Science departments. A list of courses is available in the center each semester before advance registration and on the JST website.
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 105 Walker Hall and at the UF International Center, 170 Hub.
Scholarships are available. Travel restriction updates are available on the department website.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
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 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5:
- Complete all critical tracking courses with a 2.5 GPA
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Recommended semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| HBR 1130 Beginning Modern Hebrew 1 | 5 |
| REL 2600 Introduction to Judaism (GE-H, N) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| HBR 1131 Beginning Modern Hebrew 2 | 5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| Elective | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE-M) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Two Jewish studies electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE-P or GE-B) | 1 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Physical Science (GE-P) | 3 |
| Two Jewish studies electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Two Jewish studies electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| JST 4970 Senior Honors Thesis (optional) or elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |