Objectives

Jewish Studies provides an academically rigorous minor to examine Jewish history, culture, faith, and practice in its unity and diversity across geographic, political, historical, religious, and aesthetic boundaries and dimensions.

The Jewish Studies program is unique in that it provides:

1. A rigorous foundation for the academic minor; and
2. Regular opportunities for engaged learning, such as endowed lectureships, study abroad courses, and special events for the University and the community. The Jewish Studies program sponsors three endowed events each year, which Jewish Studies minors can actively participate in. Jewish Studies Scholarships are available for student travel and living costs.

The Jewish Studies program provides students with a diversity of Jewish perspectives and is open to students of all faiths and backgrounds. Through education and community outreach, the Jewish Studies program offers a profound opportunity to engage others directly and constructively in order to promote greater understanding and appreciation of Judaism and its relation to other faith traditions, and to act together upon such respect and understanding.

Faculty from a range of departments, schools, and colleges teach courses in Jewish Studies, many of which are cross-listed with Core and other University requirements. For questions relating to these and other matters in Jewish Studies, students should consult the Director of the Jewish Studies program.

Jewish Studies Student Learning Outcomes

Students will know:

• The nature of the Jewish religious experience
• Significant aspects of Jewish history, culture, and literature/art
• Significant developments in and implications of Jewish/Christian relations
• The development of the State of Israel

Students will be able to:

• Demonstrate critical reflection on significant aspects of Jewish history, culture, religion, and literature/art
• Conduct critical research and write intelligently and persuasively on issues within Judaism
• Synthesize and apply this knowledge to pursue justice locally and globally
• Explain the development of the State of Israel

Students will value:

• The rich contribution of the Jewish people to history, culture, religion, and literature/art
• The importance of inter-religious dialogue
• The living vitality of Jewish faith and culture through the promotion of justice
• The study of modern Israel

Study Abroad

Students can earn up to six semester hours toward the minor in Jewish Studies in the LMU Summer in Israel Program, the LMU Semester exchange at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, and the “Holocaust in Poland,” an “immersion course” offered in Poland approximately every other Summer. Students can also arrange to spend a semester or a year abroad at an Israeli university.

Jewish Studies Minor Requirements

The foundational courses for the Jewish Studies minor address its interdisciplinary nature and the Jewish Studies mission to provide opportunities to engage the community. The required 18 semester hours must include JWST 300 Modern Jewish History , JWST 350 Modern Israel  (or an equivalent course on modern Israel), JWST 375 Judaism: Religion, History, and Culture (Ancient through Modern) , JWST 434 Literature of the Holocaust  (or an equivalent course on the Holocaust), and JWST 490 Capstone Project  in consultation with the Jewish Studies program director. For the remaining three semester hours, students may elect another Jewish Studies course offering, or a cross-listed course from another department or program.

Students may apply one approved First Year Seminar (FFYS 1000 ) course to fulfill the elective requirement towards the Jewish Studies minor.