Undergraduate Education
{Something that summarizes undergrad education in emotional/meaningful to students way}
The program in Hebrew and Judaic Studies (HEJS) is housed in the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages (LCL) and supported by the Center for Judaic Studies and Contemporary Jewish Life as part of its mission to promote the academic and scholarly study of Jewish history, culture, and civilization.
Why Judaic Studies?
Hebrew and Judaic Studies courses cover various aspects of the history and literature of the Jews from biblical times to the present. Students who would like to learn more about ancient and modern Israel, the experience of Jews among Christians or Muslims, or Jewish life in contemporary America will find courses of interest among our offerings. Our courses attract students from almost every department, program, and school of the university. Many courses meet content area requirements, and honors sections and W courses are often available.
All students are welcome and encouraged to attend any of our special lectures, seminars, or other events – many of which qualify for honors credits.
Program Options
The University of Connecticut offers both a major and minor in Judaic Studies. Students who complete the major program in Judaic Studies receive a Bachelor of Arts degree. Students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in Judaic Studies have the option of obtaining the Master or Doctorate of Arts.
Major
Learn about the Jewish experience within the larger context of the many cultures and civilizations with which Jews have interacted over the centuries. Hebrew and Judaic Studies courses cover various aspects of the history and literature of the Jews from biblical times to the present.
Minor
Study topics in Judaic Studies reflecting the history, literature, and culture of the diverse experiences of the Jews throughout the world stretching back four millennia to biblical Israel. Deepen overall understanding for the Jewish experience with valuable courses covering a wide range of topics.
The Major
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Judaic Studies may be obtained by way of Track A in General Judaic Studies, or Track B in Classical Judaic Studies.
Both tracks share some key characteristics, but otherwise have different emphases and goals and are distinct. They each provide the student with a broad, general background in Jewish civilization and familiarize the student with key texts that inform Jewish culture, religion, and history.
Students in Track A and B are required to take 24 credits beyond the required language preparation in their track as specified below.
Students who are majoring in other disciplines and may not be able to pursue Hebrew language proficiency but wish to obtain a solid grounding in Judaic civilization are encouraged to pursue a minor in Judaic Studies.
The general Judaic Studies major provides a broader perspective and includes a course concentration in the modern period. This is achieved through the requirement of taking courses in each of the biblical, ancient/rabbinic, medieval, and modern periods. Students in Track A are required to have two years of Modern Hebrew (or the equivalent, which would include credits from Israeli or other “ulpan” programs).
The classical track focuses on the pre-modern experience, especially in the biblical and rabbinic periods. Students in Track B are required to complete the single year sequence of courses in Biblical Hebrew, which prepares the student to read Hebrew scripture in the original.
Major Requirements
To graduate, a student must earn a minimum total of 120 credits, earn at least 45 credits in level 2000 or above classes, meet the CLAS General Education and Concentration requirements, and have an overall grade point average of 2.0 in the courses presented in satisfaction of major requirements.
The field of concentration includes both the major and related groups; it must total at least 36 credits, all numbered 2000 or above. At least 24 credits in one department, or with the permission of the head of the student’s major department, in two related departments, make up the major group. At least 12 credits in courses closely related to the student’s major, but outside the major department, make up the related group.
Students will submit their plan of study for approval with their HEJS advisor, and, upon approval, with the Registrar by the end of the 4th week of the semester in which they expect to graduate. Students completing a double major must file a plan of study for each major.
- HEJS 1103, 1151, 1152, 1003, and 1004. These courses do not count toward the 24 credits required for the major. Credits from Israeli or other ulpan programs for the 2-year Hebrew language requirement may be applied (19 credits).
- HEJS 3401W (included in 24 required credits) to fulfill their information literacy and writing (“W”) requirements. SOCI 2509W may be substituted for HEJS 3401W with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
- Four courses (12 credits) from Group 1, including one each from the Biblical, Ancient/Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern periods.
- Three courses (9 credits) drawn from either Group 1 or Group 2.
Group 1 Courses – Foundational
Biblical Israel:
- HEJS 3201: Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible (3 credits)
- CAMS 3301 / HIST 3301: The Ancient Near East (3 credits)
- INTD 3260: The Bible (3 credits)
Ancient / Rabbinic:
- HEJS 3330 / CAMS 3330 / HIST 3330: Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans (3 credits)
Medieval:
- HEJS 3301: Jewish Middle Ages (3 credits)
Modern:
- HEJS 2104: Modern Jewish Thought (3 credits)
- Either of the following courses:
- HEJS 3251: Advanced Modern Hebrew I (3 credits)
- HEJS 3252: Advanced Modern Hebrew II (3 credits)
- HEJS 3279: Modern Israeli Literature (3 credits)
- SOCI 2509W: Sociology of Anti-Semitism (3 credits)
Group 2 Courses – Specialized
- HEJS 3202: Sections and Movements in Judaism (3 credits)
- HEJS 3203 / HIST 3418: The Holocaust (3 credits)
- HEJS 3241: Jewish Magic from Late Antiquity through the Early Modern Period (3 credits)
- CAMS 3244: Ancient Fictions (3 credits)
- HIST 3340 / CAMS 3340: World of the Later Roman Empire (3 credits)
- Either of the following courses:
- HIST 3705: The Modern Middle East from 1700 to Present (3 credits)
- HIST 3712: Middle East Crucible (3 credits)
- Any of the following with approval of HEJS advisor:
- HEJS 3293: Foreign Study (3 credits)
- HEJS 3299: Independent Study (3 credits)
- HEJS 3298: Variable Topics (3 credits)
Some HEJS graduate courses are open to undergraduates and may be substituted, with permission. Additionally, students may also take upper-level undergraduate or graduate courses in other sections of LCL that have significant Judaic content provided they are first approved by their HEJS advisor.
- Classical Judaic Studies majors are required to complete the following courses: HEJS 1103, 1149, and 1150. These courses do not count toward the 24 credits required for the major.
- HEJS 3330W / CAMS 3330W / HIST 3330W – Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans. 3 credits. This course is included in the 24 credits required beyond the language preparation.
- Seven courses amounting to 21 credits chosen from Groups 1 (Core Courses) and 2 (Specialized Courses). The selection of Group 2 courses depends upon the student’s specific interests in the pre-Modern experience of the Jews and should be chosen with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
Group 1 Courses – Foundational
- HEJS 3201: Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible (3 credits)
- HEJS 3241: Jewish Magic from Late Antiquity through the Early Modern Period (3 credits)
- HIST 3340 / CAMS 3340: World of the Later Roman Empire (3 credits)
- CAMS 3244: Ancient Fictions (3 credits)
- CAMS 3301 / HIST 3301: The Ancient Near East (3 credits)
- INTD 3260: The Bible (3 credits)
- HEJS 3301: Jewish Middle Ages (3 credits)
Group 2 Courses – Specialized
- HEJS 5316: Jewish Martyrdom in the Middle Ages (3 credits)
- HEJS 5326: Translating Scriptures (3 credits)
- One of the following courses may also be included in the 24 credits with advisor approval:
- CAMS / HIST 3321: Hellenistic World (3 credits)
- CAMS 3335 / HIST 3335: The Early Christian Church (3 credits)
- CAMS 3251 / ARTH 3140: Greek Art (3 credits)
- ARTH 3150: Roman Art (3 credits)
- CAMS 3320 / HIST 3320: Ancient Greece (3 credits)
- CAMS 3325/ HIST 3325: Ancient Rome (3 credits)
- Any of the following with approval of HEJS advisor:
- HEJS 3293: Foreign Study (3 credits)
- HEJS 3298: Variable Topics (3 credits)
- HEJS 3299: Independent Study (3 credits)
- CAMS 3298: Variable Topics (3 credits)
The Minor
Student must earn a 2.0 grade or better in each of the required courses for the Judaic Studies minor. The same course may be used to meet both major and minor course requirements unless specifically stated otherwise.
A plan of study for the minor – signed by the department or program head, director, or faculty designee – must be submitted to the Degree Audit Office during the first four weeks of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. The minor is then recorded on the student’s final transcript.
Minor Requirements
- Prerequisite: HEJS 1103 – Who Are the Jews? Jewish Identity Through the Ages. 3 credits
- At least one year of biblical or modern Hebrew is strongly recommended
- A total of 15 credits from 2000-level or above courses is required
- A minimum of 6 credits in Foundational Courses (Group 1) must be taken
- A maximum of 9 credits from Topical Courses (Group 2) may be taken
Group 1 Courses – Foundational
- HEJS 3201: Selected Books of the Hebrew Bible (3 credits)
- HEJS 3330 / CAMS 3330 / HIST 3330: Palestine Under the Greeks and Romans (3 credits)
- HEJS 3301: Jewish Middle Ages (3 credits)
- HEJS 3511: American Jewry (3 credits)
- INTD 3260: The Bible (3 credits)
Group B Courses – Specialized:
- HEJS 2104: Modern Jewish Thought (3 credits)
- HEJS 3202: Sections and Movements in Judaism (3 credits)
- HEJS 3203 / HIST 3418: The Holocaust (3 credits)
- HEJS 3241: Jewish Magic from Late Antiquity through the Early Modern Period (3 credits)
- HEJS 3279: Modern Israeli Literature (3 credits)
- CAMS 3244: Ancient Fictions (3 credits)
- CAMS 3301 / HIST 3301: Ancient Near East (3 credits)
- HEJS 3401W: Jewish American Literature and Culture (3 credits)
- HIST 3705: The Modern Middle East from 1700 to Present (3 credits)
- HIST 3712: The Middle East Crucible (3 credits)
- The following courses may be substituted with advisor approval:
- HEJS 3293: Foreign Study (3 credits)
- HEJS 3299: Independent Study (3 credits)
- SPAN 3200: Spanish Civilization to the Modern Period (3 credits)
Resources for Undergraduate Students
Advising
Need help navigating degree options, selecting courses, or exploring career paths? Our staff and faculty advisors offer personalized support to help you make the most of your education.
Faculty
Our professors are active scholars whose research evolves with the field. They are also dedicated educators who mentor students. Through courses and immersive learning experiences, you’ll work directly with faculty experts and explore emerging issues — ensuring your education stays on the cutting edge.
Scholarships and Awards
Students can apply for scholarships that consider merit and financial need through the Department of Lorem Ipsum and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Jobs and Career Resources
Not sure what to do with your Lorem Ipsum degree? Explore job titles and industries where our alumni work as well as professional development resources.
Key Contacts
Dr. Jessica Cooperman, Director
Dr. Yonatan Miller, Associate Director