Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate Education

Both the interdisciplinary major and minor introduces students to the field of Judaic studies. Through coursework, study abroad, and independent research, students can explore Jewish literature, language, and experience throughout the world and across time periods stretching from biblical Israel to the present day.

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Why Judaic Studies?

A major or minor in Hebrew and Judaic studies is useful to combine with related course work in many different fields, including but not limited to:

  • Anthropology
  • Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies
  • Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies
  • English
  • German Studies
  • History
  • Human Rights
  • Languages
  • Middle Eastern Studies
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Sociology and Religious Studies

The Major

The Judaic studies major provides opportunities for in-depth study of the history, religion, and cultures of the Jews. Students will work closely with their advisor to design a program of study that reflects their academic interests.

  1. Identify crucial events, figures, and terms relevant to the study of Judaism and Jewish history and culture.
  2. Draw comparisons and point to differences in Jewish experience in different historical periods and circumstances.
  3. Articulate key concepts and perspectives within in the field of Judaic Studies.
  4. Analyze and interpret primary texts related to Judaism and Jewish experience.
  5. Develop ideas and arguments about Jewish experience and how Jewish religion and culture have developed over time and in different contexts.

HEJS 1103 Who Are the Jews? Jewish Identity through the Ages (3 credits) is useful preparation for this major. At least two years of biblical or modern Hebrew are recommended for students interested in study abroad in Israel or in graduate level academic Judaic Studies

The Hebrew and Judaic Studies major requires 36 credits, including 24 credits of 2000-level HEJS courses, plus 12 credits of coursework at the 2000-level or above in a related area. Students will consult with their major advisor to determine which related coursework or study abroad courses will receive credit. Pass/Fail courses cannot be used to meet these requirements.

Students satisfy the Writing in the Major requirement by completing at least one HEJS W course.

With advisor approval, a maximum of six credits of Special Topics or Independent Study course may be used to fulfill major requirements.

Students must select 24 credits from the following courses:

  • HEJS 2100 Antisemitism: Past and Present (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2104 Modern Jewish Thought (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2200 Israel: History and Society (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2201 Diversity and Inclusion in Israeli Society: A Cinematic View (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HRTS/DRAM 2203 The Holocaust in Print, Theater, and Film (3 credits)
  • HEJS/AMST/CLCS 2204 Jewish Culture in American Film (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2205/HRTS 2200/CLCS 2200 Introduction to Genocide Studies
  • HEJS/CLCS 2301 Jewish Humor (3 credits)
  • HEJS/ARIS 2401 Jews, Arabs, and the Modern World (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST 2430/HEJS 2430W/HIST 2430W From Zion to Zionism: A History of Jewish Nationalism Added Course (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST/AMST 2535 American Jewish History Added Course
  • HEJS/POLS 2610 American Jewish Political Behavior (3 credits)
  • HEJS/ANTH 3050/HEJS 3050W/ANTH 3050W Anthropology of Jews and Jewishness (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3201 Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3202 Jewish Sects Revised Course (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3203/HIST 3418 The Holocaust (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HRTS 3205 Introduction to Holocaust Studies (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3251 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3252 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3260 The Bible, the Holy Land, and History (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3293 Foreign Study (1-6 credits)
  • HEJS 3295 Special Topics (1-6 credits)
  • HEJS 3298 Variable Topics (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3299 Independent Study (1-6 credits)
  • HEJS 3301 The Jewish Middle Ages (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST/CAMS 3330 Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans
  • HEJS 3362 The Black Death: Medieval and Modern Responses to Catastrophe (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3401/ENGL 3220/HEJS 3401W/ENGL 3220W Jewish American Literature and Culture (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST 3419 Jewish Responses to the Holocaust (3 credits)
  • HEJS/ENGL 3629 Holocaust Memoir (3 credits)

Students can discuss additional options with their major advisor.

  • CAMS 3244 Ancient Fictions (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3301 Ancient Near East (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3321 Hellenistic World: Alexander to Cleopatra (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3335 The Early Christian Church (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3340 World of the Later Roman Empire (3 credits)
  • HIST 3705 The Modern Middle East from 1700 to the Present (3 credits)
  • HIST/AAAS 3712 The Middle East Crucible (3 credits)
  • SPAN 3200 Spanish Civilization to the Modern Period (3 credits)

The Minor

The Judaic Studies minor introduces students to the field of Judaic Studies through critical exploration of Jewish life and culture.

HEJS 1103 Who Are the Jews? Jewish Identity through the Ages (3 credits) is useful preparation for this minor.

A total of 15 (5 courses) credits at the 2000-level or above courses from the required Judaic Studies courses are required. Students must earn a C (2.0) or better in each of the required courses for the minor.

Students must select 15 credits from the following courses:

  • HEJS 2100 Antisemitism: Past and Present (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2104 Modern Jewish Thought (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2200 Israel: History and Society (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2201 Diversity and Inclusion in Israeli Society: A Cinematic View (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HRTS/DRAM 2203 The Holocaust in Print, Theater, and Film (3 credits)
  • HEJS/AMST/CLCS 2204 Jewish Culture in American Film (3 credits)
  • HEJS 2205/HRTS 2200/CLCS 2200 Introduction to Genocide Studies
  • HEJS/CLCS 2301 Jewish Humor (3 credits)
  • HEJS/ARIS 2401 Jews, Arabs, and the Modern World (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST 2430/HEJS 2430W/HIST 2430W From Zion to Zionism: A History of Jewish Nationalism Added Course (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST/AMST 2535 American Jewish History Added Course
  • HEJS/POLS 2610 American Jewish Political Behavior (3 credits)
  • HEJS/ANTH 3050/HEJS 3050W/ANTH 3050W Anthropology of Jews and Jewishness (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3201 Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3202 Jewish Sects Revised Course (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3203 The Holocaust (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3205 Introduction to Holocaust Studies (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3251 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3252 Advanced Hebrew (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3260 The Bible, the Holy Land, and History (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3293 Foreign Study (1-6 credits)
    • With advisor approval, a maximum of 6 credits from study abroad may be applied towards the HEJS minor.
  • HEJS 3295 Special Topics (1-6 credits)
    • With advisor approval, a maximum of 3 credits of Special Topics or Independent Study course may be used to fulfill minor requirements.
  • HEJS 3298 Variable Topics (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3299 Independent Study (1-6 credits)
    • With advisor approval, a maximum of 3 credits of Special Topics or Independent Study course may be used to fulfill minor requirements.
  • HEJS 3301 The Jewish Middle Ages (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST/CAMS 3330 Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans
  • HEJS 3362 The Black Death: Medieval and Modern Responses to Catastrophe (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3401/3401W Jewish American Literature and Culture (3 credits)
  • HEJS/HIST 3419 Jewish Responses to the Holocaust (3 credits)
  • HEJS 3629 Holocaust Memoir (3 credits)
  • CAMS 3244 Ancient Fictions (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3301 Ancient Near East (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3321 Hellenistic World: Alexander to Cleopatra (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3335 The Early Christian Church (3 credits)
  • CAMS/HIST 3340 World of the Later Roman Empire (3 credits)
  • HIST 3705 The Modern Middle East from 1700 to the Present (3 credits)
  • HIST 3712 The Middle East Crucible (3 credits)
  • SPAN 3200 Spanish Civilization to the Modern Period (3 credits)

Resources for Undergraduate Students

Funding & Support

UConn’s Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life and the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages offer support for graduate studies in the form of teaching and research assistantships that cover tuition and fees and include a stipend for living expenses. Students can apply for scholarships that consider merit and financial need. 

Apply for scholarships and awards.

Career Pathways

Not sure what to do with your Literatures, Cultures, and Languages degree in Hebrew and Judaic Studies major or minor? Explore job titles and industries where our alumni work.

Find career resources.

Key Contacts

For questions about the program or admissions, please contact:

Dr. Jessica Cooperman, Director
js.cooperman@uconn.edu