Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies

Requirements for the Major - 42 Credits

The University of Hartford offers a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies administered by the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies. For those without previous background in Hebrew language, it consists of 42 credits including three required, core courses in Jewish history (9 credits) and two years of modern Hebrew (12 credits). The modern Hebrew requirement may be waived for students who demonstrate equivalent fluency. Such students will be expected to complete six additional credits in the courses below. The distribution of each category of elective courses appears in parentheses. General Education requirements must be completed according the requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. With the approval of the Director, credit may be granted for selected courses given by other colleges and universities. The Department limits transfer credits for the major to eighteen (18). Courses required for the major may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required of Judaic Studies Majors for graduation.

Writing Requirement

Departmental policy requires that students in upper-level Judaic Studies courses undertake substantial written work exclusive of examinations. It is also departmental policy that oral reports may not be substituted for written work. Faculty will read, comment on, evaluate, and (if necessary) return this work for revision and reevaluation. The emphasis is on helping students learn to write effective analytical research papers.

Learning Outcomes for the BA in Judaic Studies

1) Students will demonstrate conceptual knowledge in a variety of disciplines associated with the study of Judaic Studies, ancient and modern Israel, the Bible, and Rabbinic texts, including the study of literature, history, art history, religion, philosophy, modern languages, cinema, archaeology, anthropology/sociology, geography, Hebrew language, and political science.

2) Students will demonstrate oral and written communication skills.

3) Students will demonstrate basic comprehension and proficiency in historically significant languages of the Jews and Jewish history: Hebrew (and language skills in general in the teaching of Yiddish and Arabic language and culture courses).

4) Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills and analytic skills for the research of Judaic Studies in primary and secondary sources.

5) Students will analyze the major arguments of theological and philosophical importance in major texts (Bible, Rabbinics, Modern Jewish literature).