The Major in Jewish Studies

The major in Jewish Studies allows students to explore Judaism through a range of methodologies and disciplinary approaches, including history, religious studies, language and literature, philosophy, political science, sociology and anthropology. With its emphasis on evidence-based research, critical analysis and the formulation of written arguments, the program embodies the very best of a liberal arts education. The major provides an excellent foundation for graduate work in the humanities, a career in the Jewish community, or any profession that values knowledge of different cultures, societies, and historical eras.

Students wishing to major in Jewish Studies will complete the five components listed below. Up to 15 credits may be transferred from another college and counted towards the Jewish Studies major, provided they correspond to courses offered at Queens College. Starred courses can count for Jewish Studies credit if the student completes a paper or other assignment on a Jewish-studies related topic in the course. Students must notify the director of Jewish Studies before taking such a course for Jewish Studies credit.

1. Historical surveys (2 courses, 6 credits). Students must complete TWO of the following:

HIST 114, HIST 115, HIST 116.

2. Survey in philosophy and religious thought (1 course, 3 credits). Students must complete ONE of the following:

PHL 104 (with Professor Doukhan), PHL 116 (with Professor Doukhan), PHL 250, PHL 251, PHL 252, RLGST 103.

3. Specialization (8 courses, 24 credits). Students must complete an additional SIX courses in one of the areas of study listed below and TWO in a second.

Courses in social and intellectual history: HIST 222*, HIST 237, HIST 248, HIST 249, HIST 251, HIST 252, HIST 253, HIST 254, HIST 255, HIST 256, HIST 285*, HIST 295, HIST 311, HIST 312, HIST 338, HIST 336, HIST 343*.

Courses in the anthropology, sociology, political life and folklore of the Jews: ANTH 224*, MUSIC 232, PSCI 240, PSCI 260, SOC 211*, SOC 221*, SOC 241, SOC 242, SOC 348.

Courses in religious and philosophical thought: JEWST 202, JEWST 301, PHIL 250, PHIL 251, PHIL 252.

Coursees in the languages and literatures of the Jews: ENGL153W, ENGL 381, HEBRW 150, HEBRW 204, HEBRW  305, HEBRW 307, HEBRW 311, HEBRW 315, HEBRW 317, HEBRW 321, HEBRW 325, HEBRW 328, HEBRW 331, HEBRW 340, HEBRW 341, HEBRW 345, HEBRW 346, HEBRW 351, HEBRW 352, HEBRW 356, HEBRW 361, HEBRW 362, HEBRW 390.

4. Senior seminar (1 course, 3 credits). Students must complete ONE advanced seminar either by undertaking an independent research tutorial approved and guided by a Jewish Studies faculty member, or by enrolling in a senior seminar/colloquium in the departments of Classical, Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science or Sociology and writing a research paper on a Jewish Studies-related topic. Courses satisfying this requirement include:

ENGL 391W, HIST 392, HIST 393, JEWST 365, MES 380, PHIL 383W, PSCI 381W, PSCI 382W, PSCI 383W, PSCI 384W, PSCI 386W, PSCI 387W, SOC 381(W), SOC 382.

5. Language Requirement. Students must demonstrate competence in Hebrew through the fourth semester (HEBRW 204).

Jewish Studies courses offered in the current semester.

Jewish Studies courses to be offered in the coming semester.