Interdisciplinary Studies: Jewish Studies, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Jewish Studies Concentration


The Program in Jewish Culture & Society sponsors this concentration. This concentration provides the student with knowledge of the Hebrew language, the opportunity to begin a study of Yiddish, and a broad appreciation of Jewish religion, culture, and history.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your advisor.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Jewish Studies Concentration


All substitutions must be approved by the Advisor in the Program in Jewish Culture and Society Office. Substitution for specific courses listed will be approved by the concentration advisor only in exceptional cases.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your advisor.

Departmental distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.5, completion of HUM 498 with a grade of A, and completion of a semester paper in HUM 498 that is judged to be deserving of "distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.

High distinction: To be eligible for graduation with high distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.7, and must have completed HUM 492 (instead of HUM 498) with a grade of A and a thesis in HUM 492 that is judged to be deserving of "high distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work: normally equates to 45-51 hours. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Major Requirements


JS 199Undergraduate Open Seminar (An Independent Study experience to be arranged with a Jewish Studies affiliated faculty member)3
Hebrew and/or Yiddish language courses, including:26-29
Elementary Modern Hebrew I
Elementary Modern Hebrew II
Intermediate Modern Hebrew I
Intermediate Modern Hebrew II
Advanced Modern Hebrew I
Beginning Yiddish I
Intensive Biblical Hebrew
Advanced Modern Hebrew II
Beginning Yiddish II
One course at the 100 or 200 level from each of the following clusters in the Jewish Studies Minor: Religion, Culture, and History. List maintained by the Advisor in the Program in Jewish Culture and Society Office.9
Three courses at the 300 level or above from any of the four clusters in the Jewish Studies Minor: Religion, Culture, History, and Language. List maintained by the Advisor in the Program in Jewish Culture and Society Office.9

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Jewish Studies Concentration


Sample Sequence
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
Free elective course1General Education Course3
HEBR 2015HEBR 2025
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Language Other than English (4th level)4
General Education Course or Composition I3Composition I or General Education Course4
Free elective course3 
 16 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
HEBR 4035JS 1993
100-200 level Jewish Studies History course3HEBR 4045
General Education course3General Education Course3
Free elective course4General Education Course3
 15 14
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
HEBR 405 (or YDSH 101)4REL 205 (or HEBR 406 or YDSH 102)4
100-200 level Jewish Studies Religion course3100-200 level Jewish Studies Culture course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
 Free elective course3
 13 16
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
300-level or above Jewish Studies cluster course3300-level or above Jewish Studies cluster course3
300-level or above Jewish Studies cluster course3General Education Course3
General Education Course3General Education Course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
Free elective course3Free elective course3
 15 15
Total Hours 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Jewish Studies Concentration


Jewish Culture and Society website
Jewish Culture & Society faculty
Jewish Studies advising

Overview of Admissions & Requirements for the college of LAS
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences website