Judaic Studies courses
Hebrew courses
Director of undergraduate studies: Ivan Marcus, 225 HGS, 432-1379, ivan.marcus@yale.edu [F]; Steven Fraade, Rm. 303, 451 College St., 432-0838, steven.fraade@yale.edu [Sp]
FACULTY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROGRAM OF JUDAIC STUDIES
Professors Yom Tov Assis (History) (Visiting), Yochanan Breuer (Religious Studies) (Visiting), Leslie Brisman (English), Steven Fraade (Chair) (Religious Studies), Paul Franks (Philosophy), Christine Hayes (Religious Studies), Richard Kalmin (Religious Studies) (Visiting), Ivan Marcus (History, Religious Studies), María Rosa Menocal (Spanish & Portuguese), Michael Morgan (Philosophy) (Visiting), Marc Saperstein (History) (Visiting), Steven Smith (Political Science), Laura Wexler (Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies, American Studies), Robert Wilson (Religious Studies)
Associate Professors Hindy Najman (Religious Studies), Marci Shore (History)
Assistant Professors Joel Baden (Divinity School), Eliyahu Stern (History)
Senior Lecturer Peter Cole (Humanities) (Visiting)
Lecturers Eve Krakowski (Religious Studies), Margaret Olin (Divinity School, History of Art, Religious Studies)
Senior Lector II Ayala Dvoretzky
Senior Lector Shiri Goren
Lector Dina Roginsky
Judaic Studies enables students to develop a substantial knowledge of the history, religion, literature, languages, and culture of the Jews. Jewish society, texts, ideologies, and institutions are examined in comparative perspective in the context of the history and culture of nations in which Jews have lived and created throughout the ages.
The program in Judaic Studies offers courses that encompass all the major epochs of Jewish history: the biblical period, which includes biblical literature and archaeology; the classical period, which includes the literature and history of rabbinic Judaism and its antecedents; the medieval period, which includes Jewish history and literature in both Christian and Islamic lands; the early modern period, which includes Jewish history from the fifteenth through the eighteenth centuries; and the modern period, which includes the history and literature of Jews and Judaism from the late eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries and the impact of different facets of modernization.
The Judaic Studies major, especially as a second major with Economics, Political Science, English, or History, offers intensive background training for those considering admission to graduate or professional schools and to those planning careers in journalism, international relations, foreign service, publishing, the rabbinate, international law, politics, or social work. The interdisciplinary character of the program provides students with both a broad liberal arts background and an intensive preparation in the historical and religious experience of the Jewish culture.
Students considering the major in Judaic Studies should contact the director of undergraduate studies as early as possible.
Requirements of the major The major in Judaic Studies requires thirteen term courses, including the senior essay course. Prerequisite or corequisite to the major is a year of elementary modern Hebrew (HEBR 110, 120) or its equivalent. The major consists of a Hebrew language and literature requirement, a set of core requirements, and two areas of concentration.
Hebrew language and literature Each student majoring in Judaic Studies must attain the equivalent of the second year of modern Hebrew (HEBR 130, 140). In addition, each student must take two term courses in which Hebrew literature is studied in Hebrew, for which HEBR 130 and 140 (but not HEBR 110 or 120) may count. Students who fulfill the Hebrew language requirement by passing an examination rather than by enrolling in HEBR 110, 120, 130, and 140 must take two other term courses in which Hebrew literature is studied in Hebrew. Students concentrating in Hebrew Bible may, in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies, substitute two years of biblical Hebrew for the language and literature requirements.
Core requirements Each student must elect at least three from the following: (1) a term course in Hebrew Bible; (2) a term course in rabbinic literature; (3) JDST 200, History of the Jews and Their Diasporas to Early Modern Times; (4) JDST <201>, History of Jewish Culture, 1500 to the Present; (5) JDST <202>, Judaism: Continuity and Change; (6) a term survey course in Hebrew and Jewish literature.
Areas of concentration Students must select two areas of concentration. The standard areas are ancient Israel/Hebrew Bible; Judaism of Second Temple and Talmudic times; Jewish history and civilization of medieval and early modern times; modern Jewish history and civilization; and Jewish/Hebrew literature (requires study of literature in Hebrew). With the approval of the director of undergraduate studies, students may design their own areas of concentration.
In each of the two areas of concentration, students choose three term courses in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. These are normally expected to include one introductory course; one seminar taken in junior year and requiring a final research paper; and one relevant course in an area outside Judaic Studies, such as a course relating to the larger historical 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 or Hebrew literature. Most Judaic Studies seminars may be counted as junior seminars in a student's areas of concentration with permission of the director of undergraduate studies.
Senior requirement Students are expected to write a one- or two-term senior essay (JDST 491 and 492). If a one-term senior essay is chosen, the student must complete an additional seminar. The one-term essay normally relates to one of the student's areas of concentration, while the seminar relates to the other. A two-term essay should relate to both of the student's areas of concentration. The senior essay, whether completed during one or two terms, should build on one or both of the student's junior seminar papers.
Study in Israel Students majoring in Judaic Studies should be aware of the numerous opportunities for study and travel in Israel. Those interested in either a summer or an extended stay in Israel should consult the director of undergraduate studies.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisites HEBR 110, 120 or equivalents
Number of courses 13 term courses (incl senior req)
Specific courses required HEBR 130, 140 or equivalents
Distribution of courses 3 term courses from (1) Hebrew Bible, (2) rabbinic lit, (3) JDST 200, (4) JDST <201>, (5) JDST <202>, (6) survey of Hebrew and Jewish lit; 2 areas of concentration, with 3 courses in each (normally 1 intro, 1 junior sem, 1 outside Judaic Studies related to concentration) for a total of 6
Substitution permitted 2 years of biblical Hebrew for HEBR 130, 140 or equivalents for students with an area of concentration in Hebrew Bible
Senior requirement Two-term senior essay (JDST 491, 492), or one-term senior essay and addtl sem
