For information contact Dr. Rachel Gordan, Undergraduate Coordinator, rgordan@ufl.edu
Major in Jewish Studies (BA)
The Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies fosters the academic study of Jewish cultures, languages, history, 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 interdisciplinary approach including the arts, social sciences, and textuality. 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.
COURSEWORK FOR THE MAJOR
The major requires a minimum of 30 credits in Jewish studies and related courses with minimum grades of C. A minimum of 15 credits for the major must be taken at the University of Florida.
There are two concentrations for the Jewish studies major
Jewish Studies liberal arts concentration
REQUIRED COURSEWORK
- REL 2600, Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness (3 credits)
- 27 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level
- Students must work with the Center’s undergraduate advisor to design a curriculum that will give a sampling of the Jewish experience across time and across disciplines. Majors must complete a comprehensive research project in an upper-division course as a capstone experience in their final year.
Approved courses in other departments may be counted toward the major provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish studies. Students may earn limited class credit in independent study or in honors or other undergraduate research projects. Normally, no more than 12 credits of the minimum may be transfer credit. However, all transfer credits in JST-related courses from UF-approved programs abroad will apply toward the major.
HONORS
Honors in Jewish studies can be earned by students who have at least a 3.5 GPA in their upper-division work and a 3.5 GPA in the major. Students who seek honors are required to complete an honors project, with a grade of A or B, under the guidance of a Jewish studies faculty member. In their senior year, honors students should register for JST 4970, a 2-3 credit course.
INTERNSHIP IN JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICES
Students can gain practical experience as an undergraduate through the internship option of JST 4940. The goal of this program is both to expose the student to the opportunities for service in the world of organized Jewry and to provide a means for students to understand how Jewish values are propagated in organized settings. Students earn credit for volunteer work and training in applied settings such as Jewish family and social services agencies, community centers, federations, educational institutions, museums, newspapers, denominational organizations, public affairs groups, synagogues, Hillel or equivalent institutions. To qualify for JST credit, the organization must have an explicit public tie to Judaism and be approved for internship credit by the Center for Jewish Studies.
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 1120 Turlington Hall and at the UF International Center, 170 Hub.
Scholarships for study abroad and individual research projects are available for qualified students.
Jewish Studies/Hebrew Language Concentration
REQUIRED COURSEWORK
- REL 2600, Jews, Judaism, and Jewishness (3 credits)
- HBR 3410 and HBR 3411 (Advanced Modern Hebrew [or a content course in Hebrew]) (6 credits)
- 21 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level (at least nine credits to include courses taught in Hebrew)
- Students must work with the Center’s undergraduate advisor to design a curriculum that will give a sampling of the Jewish experience across time and across disciplines. Majors must complete a comprehensive research project in an upper-division course as a capstone experience in their final year.
Approved courses in other departments may be counted toward the major provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish studies. Students may earn limited class credit in independent study or in honors or other undergraduate research projects. Normally, no more than 12 credits of the minimum may be transfer credit. However, all transfer credits in JST-related courses from UF-approved programs abroad will apply toward the major.
HONORS
Honors in Jewish studies can be earned by students who have at least a 3.5 GPA in their upper-division work and a 3.5 GPA in the major. Students who seek honors are required to complete an honors project, with a grade of A or B, under the guidance of a Jewish studies faculty member. In their senior year, honors students should register for JST 4970, a 2-3 credit course.
INTERNSHIP IN JEWISH COMMUNAL SERVICES
Students can gain practical experience as an undergraduate through the internship option of JST 4940. The goal of this program is both to expose the student to the opportunities for service in the world of organized Jewry and to provide a means for students to understand how Jewish values are propagated in organized settings. Students earn credit for volunteer work and training in applied settings such as Jewish family and social services agencies, community centers, federations, educational institutions, museums, newspapers, denominational organizations, public affairs groups, synagogues, Hillel or equivalent institutions. To qualify for JST credit, the organization must have an explicit public tie to Judaism and be approved for internship credit by the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies.
OVERSEAS STUDY
The Bud Shorstein 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 1120 Turlington Hall and at the UF International Center, 170 Hub.
Scholarships for study abroad are available for qualified students.
Minor in Jewish Studies
The Jewish Studies minor is 15 credit hours. Students must take Jews, Jewishness, and Judaism (REL 2600). The remaining 12 hours of JST credit (or related credit) should be above the 3000 level. course. Students must complete a minimum of six credits of coursework exclusive to the minor that cannot count toward the major(s) or other minors.
Students must work with the undergraduate adviser (Dr. Rachel Gordan – rgordan@ufl.edu) to design a minor curriculum that will give a sampling of the Jewish experience across time and across disciplines.
Upon graduation, students who complete the requirements for the Minor will be awarded the Certificate, signed by the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Director of the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies. The Certificate provides an additional academic credential that may be useful for graduate school or future employment.
Students should plan their minor programs under the guidance of a Jewish Studies faculty member. Each program must be approved by the Director of the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies. For more information, contact the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies, 104 Walker Hall, Gainesville, FL, 352-392-9245, or email center@jst.ufl.edu
Courses Offered in Jewish Studies
Complete list of courses offered with descriptions.
*Some careers may require additional education