Founded in 1991, the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies brings together a variety of disciplines to study and interpret Jewish and ancient Israelite history, religion, literature, politics, society, and culture. The center offers a broad selection of courses at all levels, which are cross-listed with other departments, including classics, curriculum and instruction, English, gender and women's studies, German, history, music, philosophy, political science, religious studies, Slavic languages, and sociology.
The Jewish studies major offers students an in-depth study of 3,500 years of Jewish civilization. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and aims to provide students with a broadly based, rigorous liberal arts education in Jewish studies. While learning about Jewish history, religion, language, and culture, students also develop skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, and research—skills that are valuable to a range of career paths. Students with a particular interest in Modern Hebrew and Israel are encouraged to follow a specialized track in Modern Hebrew language, literature, and Israeli culture.
The Jewish studies major requires a minimum of 31 credits and proficiency in the Hebrew language to enable students to deal with Hebrew texts in the classroom and for research purposes. The credits are divided among several clusters that focus on Hebrew texts; literature, philosophy, and the arts; and history and social science. In addition, students must complete a two-course capstone sequence. Together, these courses support the acquisition of an integrated and coherent body of knowledge.
A certificate in Jewish studies is also available. Its aim is to acquaint students with a number of significant aspects of Jewish civilization and to introduce them to tools required for its study; it requires a minimum of 21 credits in seven courses.
The major has an education track that includes coursework in the School of Education. It requires a total of 34 credits—25 in Jewish studies and 9 in education (curriculum and instruction, and educational policy studies). This track provides a series of courses that define the role that education has played in Jewish civilization; Jewish ideas concerning the nature and aims of education; and philosophical, curricular, and pedagogical issues relating to education in Jewish studies in a pluralistic, democratic society. This track does not lead to teacher certification.
Students interested in a certificate in Jewish studies should make an appointment with the undergraduate advisor (undergrad-adviser@cjs.wisc.edu) to discuss requirements and courses.
The certificate in Jewish studies aims to acquaint students with a number of significant aspects of Jewish civilization and to introduce them to some of the tools required for its study. In addition to a two-semester language requirement, students must complete coursework in literature, philosophy, and the arts; history and social sciences; and the pre-modern area. The certificate complements a major in any subject in the College of Letters & Science. It also strengthens the applications of those students who intend to pursue careers or graduate study in a field related to Jewish studies.
Requirements
Certificate students must take 21 credits in seven courses, distributed as follows:
Select two semesters of Hebrew language
Language Requirement
Students must select two courses from either Biblical Hebrew, Modern Hebrew or Hebrew Texts. Students with a prior knowledge of the language are required to take one year of instruction at the appropriate level. Students whose prior knowledge is equivalent to four semesters or more of Hebrew language instruction are required to take two courses in Hebrew texts. The Center for Jewish Studies, 4223 Mosse Humanities Building, administers placement examinations.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Hebrew (Select 2 courses): | ||
| Elementary Biblical Hebrew, I | ||
or HEBR-BIB 303 | Elementary Biblical Hebrew, I | |
| Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II | ||
or HEBR-BIB 304 | Elementary Biblical Hebrew, II | |
| Modern Hebrew (Select 2 courses): | ||
| First Semester Hebrew | ||
| Third Semester Hebrew | ||
| Second Semester Hebrew | ||
| Fourth Semester Hebrew | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture II | ||
| Hebrew Texts (Select 2 courses): | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Introduction to Hebrew Literature | ||
| Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, I | ||
| Intermediate Biblical Hebrew, II | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I | ||
| Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture II | ||
| Biblical Texts, Poetry | ||
| Biblical Texts, Poetry | ||
Select one course in each of the following three clusters:
Cluster One: Literature, Philosophy and the Arts
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 211 | Introduction to Judaism | 4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 227 | Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English) | 4 |
| JEWISH 230 | Elementary Topics in Jewish Literature | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 232 | Elementary Topics in Jewish Philosophy and the Arts | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 236 | Bascom Course | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 237 | Biblical Poetry in Translation | 3 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN 267 | Yiddish Song and the Jewish Experience | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN/LITTRANS 269 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in Europe | 3 |
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 278 | Food in Rabbinic Judaism | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN/LITTRANS 279 | Yiddish Literature and Culture in America | 3 |
| JEWISH 299 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 301 | Introduction to Hebrew Literature | 3 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 302 | Introduction to Hebrew Literature | 3 |
| JEWISH/LITTRANS 318 | Modern Jewish Literature | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 328 | Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/HEBR-BIB/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 332 | Prophets of the Bible | 4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/RELIG ST 335 | King David in History and Tradition | 3 |
| JEWISH 343 | Israeli Fiction in Translation | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/RELIG ST 346 | Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period | 3 |
| JEWISH 356 | Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire | 3 |
| JEWISH/LITTRANS 367 | Israeli Fiction in Translation | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 401 | Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture I | 3 |
| JEWISH/HEBR-MOD 402 | Topics in Modern Hebrew / Israeli Literature and Culture II | 3 |
| JEWISH 430 | Intermediate Topics in Jewish Literature | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 432 | Intermediate Topics in Jewish Philosophy and the Arts | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/PHILOS/RELIG ST 435 | Jewish Philosophy from Antiquity to the Seventeenth Century | 3 |
| JEWISH/PHILOS 442 | Moral Philosophy and the Holocaust | 3 |
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 448 | Classical Rabbinic Texts | 3 |
| JEWISH 450 | Undegraduate Seminar in Judaism and the Arts | 3 |
| JEWISH 490 | Topics in Jewish Studies | 3 |
| JEWISH/GERMAN 510 | German-Jewish Culture Since the 18th Century | 3 |
| JEWISH 699 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
Cluster Two: History and Social Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 211 | Introduction to Judaism | 4 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 213 | Jews and American Pop. Culture | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 219 | The American Jewish Experience: From Shtetl to Suburb | 4 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 220 | Introduction to Modern Jewish History | 4 |
| JEWISH 231 | Elementary Topics in Jewish History | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 233 | Elementary Topics in Jewish Studies: Social Sciences | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 241 | Introduction to Biblical Archaeology | 4 |
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 278 | Food in Rabbinic Judaism | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 299 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 373 | Modern Political History of the Jews: 1655-1919 | 4 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 374 | Modern Political History of the Jews: Era of Mass Movements, 1870-1970 | 4 |
| JEWISH 431 | Intermediate Topics in Jewish History | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 451 | Biblical Archaeology | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 452 | Biblical Archaeology | 2 |
| JEWISH 490 | Topics in Jewish Studies | 3 |
| JEWISH/CURRIC/HISTORY 515 | Holocaust: History, Memory and Education | 3 |
| JEWISH/HISTORY 518 | Anti-Semitism in European Culture, 1700-1945 | 3 |
| JEWISH 631 | Advanced Topics in Jewish History | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 633 | Advanced Topics in Jewish Studies: Social Sciences | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/POLI SCI 665 | Israeli Politics and Society | 3-4 |
| JEWISH 699 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
Cluster Three: Pre-modern Jewish history, culture, or literature
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 211 | Introduction to Judaism | 4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 227 | Introduction to Biblical Literature (in English) | 4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 237 | Biblical Poetry in Translation | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 241 | Introduction to Biblical Archaeology | 4 |
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 278 | Food in Rabbinic Judaism | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 328 | Classical Rabbinic Literature in Translation | 3-4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/HEBR-BIB/LITTRANS/RELIG ST 332 | Prophets of the Bible | 4 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/RELIG ST 335 | King David in History and Tradition | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS/RELIG ST 346 | Jewish Literature of the Greco-Roman Period | 3 |
| JEWISH 356 | Jerusalem, Holy City of Conflict and Desire | 3 |
| JEWISH/PHILOS/RELIG ST 435 | Jewish Philosophy from Antiquity to the Seventeenth Century | 3 |
| JEWISH/RELIG ST 448 | Classical Rabbinic Texts | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 451 | Biblical Archaeology | 3 |
| JEWISH/CLASSICS 452 | Biblical Archaeology | 2 |
Select Two Additional Jewish Studies or Modern Hebrew courses above to meet the minimum course and credit requirements for the certificate
Notes: Jewish studies courses taken abroad may also satisfy the certificate requirements. Students who have taken such courses should consult with the certificate advisor. A directed study course (JEWISH 699) used to satisfy a cluster requirement must be approved in advance by the undergraduate advisor.
Residence and quality of work
- Minimum 2.000 GPA in all JEWISH courses and courses approved for the certificate
- 11 credits, counting toward the certificate, taken in residence
Certificate COMPLETION REQUIREMENT
This undergraduate certificate must be completed concurrently with the student’s undergraduate degree. Students cannot delay degree completion to complete the certificate.
- At least two semesters of reading, understanding and conversing in Hebrew or another approved Jewish language.
- Honed critical abilities in close reading, interpretation, and written analysis of ancient and modern Jewish texts.
- Expanded knowledge of Jewish history, culture, philosophy, arts, religious practice, and politics in both the past and present.
- Disposition of increased appreciation for diverse world views, value systems and interactions between Jews and non-Jews, minorities and majorities, in Wisconsin, the US, and across the globe.
Jewish studies can prepare one for a variety of career paths. Graduates in Jewish studies have followed a variety of different career paths, including law, medicine, education, finance, social work, and the nonprofit sector. Jewish studies students are also well prepared to apply for graduate studies in fields such as law, education, business, and social work, as well as prime candidates for rabbinical or cantorial school, theological studies, and advanced levels of Jewish studies.
The Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies encourages students to begin working on their career exploration and preparation soon after arriving on campus. We partner with SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science. L&S graduates are in high demand by employers and graduate programs. It is important to us that our students are career ready at the time of graduation, and we are committed to your success.
L&S career resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities, and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews, and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative
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Associate Professors: Dobbs, Shelef, Strauss
Assistant Professors: Bitzan, Brisman, Hollander, Mandell, Yudkoff, Zilbergers
Lecturers: Blakely, Paretskaya, Sone, Yuchtman