Jewish Studies Program Details - Undergraduate - Minor

Overview of the Jewish Studies Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate major in Jewish Studies will introduce students to the history, languages, and literature of the Jewish people; the beliefs and practices of Judaism; and the interaction between Jews and Gentiles throughout history.

The program includes:

  • Biblical monotheism and ethics
  • Rabbinic traditions of text study and interpretation
  • Jewish responses to marginality, oppression, and suffering
  • Jewish experience in the modern world
  • The Holocaust
  • The history of Israel , including the revival of Hebrew as a living language
  • The thriving of diverse forms of Jewish community throughout the world

    • Requirements for the Minor

    The minor consists of 6 courses totally 18 credits.

    Course Requirements

    1. Core Course
  • RELJ 203: Introduction to Judaic Traditions (3 credits)

    • 2. Distribution Requirement Courses
    One (1) course from each of the following three (3) categories as approved by the minor advisor:

  • Language and Literature (Departments of English, German, Hebrew) Note: You can count Biblical Hebrew toward your "Language and Literature" requirement if you have fulfilled your Hebrew requirement with Modern Hebrew. You can count a 300-level Hebrew course toward your "Language and Literature" requirement if you have fulfilled your Hebrew requirement with Biblical Hebrew.
  • History and Society (Departments of Anthropology, Government and History)
  • Belief and Thought (Department of Religious Studies)

    • 3. Elective Courses
    Two (2) additional courses selected as electives in conjunction with the minor advisor.
    No more than two (2) 200-level courses will count toward the minor; all others must be 300-level or above.

    Contact Information: Executive Committee

    Ida and Nathan Kolodiz Director of Jewish Studies Program
    Asher Biemann, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
    Phone: (434) 924-3643
    E-mail: ab5j@virginia.edu

    Co-Director of Graduate Studies
    Peter Ochs, Edgar Bronfman Professor of Modern Jewish Thought
    Phone: (434) 924-6718
    E-mail: pochs@virginia.edu