Committee Chairman: Philip V. Bohlman, GoH 211, 702-0514

Undergraduate Program Adviser: Ariela Finkelstein, C 219, 702-1380, afinkels@midway.uchicago.edu

Program of Study

The B.A. in Jewish Studies provides a context in which College students may examine the texts, cultures, languages, and histories of Jews and Judaism over three millennia. The perspective is contextual, comparative, and interdisciplinary. The long and diverse history of Jews and Judaism affords unique opportunities to study modes of continuity and change, interpretation and innovation, and isolation and integration of a world historical civilization. Students are encouraged to develop appropriate skills (in texts, languages, history, and culture) for independent work.

Program Requirements

The major requires twelve courses distributed according to the guidelines that follow.

Language. The twelve courses required for the major normally include three quarters of Hebrew. This language requirement cannot be met with examination credit. Students may register for first year modern Hebrew (or Yiddish or Biblical Hebrew) if they have no AP or placement credit for Hebrew. Students with AP or placement credit for one year of Hebrew must register for second year Hebrew. Students with credit for two years of Hebrew may choose to register either for third year Hebrew or for the first year of another approved language.

If the student's research project requires knowledge of a language other than Hebrew, the student may petition the committee to substitute that language for Hebrew.

Judaic Civilization. The major requires three courses in the Judaic Civilization sequence. This program includes ancient, medieval, and modern components. The temporal limits of these "periods" are determined by the faculty members assuming responsibility for the sequence. The first step of the sequence, covering the history of ancient Israel to the destruction of the Second Jewish Commonwealth, could be replaced by a one-quarter introduction to the Hebrew Bible. Students who meet the general education requirement in civilization studies with another civilization sequence must also complete the Judaic Civilization sequence as part of their major. Students who meet the general education requirement in civilization studies with Judaic Civilization are required to take one quarter of another civilization sequence pertinent to the area and period of their primary interest in Jewish Studies. This choice is made in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Adviser.

Other Requirements. Students who take Judaic Civilization as three of the twelve courses required in the major take six elective courses in Jewish Studies; students who meet the general education requirement with Judaic Civilization take eight electives. These courses would, in part, constitute a specific area of concentration for each student. They are chosen by the student in consultation with the Undergraduate Program Adviser. A balance between content and method is the goal. Students are encouraged to take at least one method or theory course in the College in the area pertaining to their area of special interest.

It is expected that the general education requirements in the humanities or social sciences be completed before students enter the program, typically at the end of their second year. Students who have not completed the general education requirements before admission to the program should do so during their first year of the program.

Each student in the program has an adviser who is a member of the program's faculty (see list below). A worksheet is distributed to students to help them organize their programs.

Summary of Requirements

                                  3      courses in Hebrew or other approved language
as described in "Language" section*

                                  3      JWSC 20000-20100-20200 (if not used to meet general education requirement); or one related civilization course plus two additional courses in Jewish Studies

                                  6      courses related to Judaic Studies**

                                12

  *        Credit may not be granted by examination.

**        Courses to be chosen in consultation with
the student's adviser in Jewish Studies.

Optional B.A. Paper. Students who choose this option are to meet with their advisers by May 15 of their fourth year to determine the focus of the research project, and are expected to begin reading and research for the B.A. paper during the summer before their fourth year. After further consultation, students are to do guided readings and participate in a (formal or informal) tutorial during Autumn Quarter of their fourth year. Credit toward the major is received only for the Winter Quarter tutorial during which the B.A. paper is finally written and revised. The B.A. paper must be received by the primary reader by the end of fifth week of Spring Quarter. A B.A. paper is a requirement for consideration for honors.

Honors. Honors are awarded to students who show excellence in their course work, as well as on the B.A. paper. To qualify for honors in Jewish Studies, students must register for JWSC 29900 in addition to the twelve courses required in the general program of study, bringing the total number of courses required to thirteen. They will be required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in the major. An oral defense of the B.A. paper must also be given to three members of the Jewish Studies faculty.

Grading. Students take all courses required for the major for quality grades. However, students who qualify for academic honors may take one special study course related to their honors thesis P/F during the second quarter of their fourth year. To take this P/F course, students must submit a special request to the undergraduate faculty adviser during the prior quarter. Requirements for this P/F course will be agreed upon by each student and the course adviser.

Faculty

P. Bohlman, M. Brinker, A. Finkelstein, M. Fishbane, T. Frymer-Kensky, J. Kraemer,
P. Mendes-Flohr, M. Postone, J. Sadock, E. Santner, J. Schloen, J. Stern

Courses: Jewish Studies (jwsc)

Consult the quarterly Time Schedules for updated information and additional course listings in Hebrew Bible, Hebrew literature and history, and Jewish thought.

20000-20100-20200. Judaic Civilization I, II, III. It is recommended that students begin with the first course in the sequence. This sequence meets the general education requirement in civilization studies. This is a sequential study of periods and communities selected from the history of Judaic civilization, viewed from multiple perspectives (i.e., historical, literary, philosophical, religious, social) and examined in light of the varied ways that civilization is and is not the product of interactions between the Jewish people and surrounding civilizations, nations, and religions. The primary focus is on a close reading of original sources in translation. Specific periods and communities studied may vary from year to year.

20000. Judaic Civilization I: Introduction to Biblical Civilization. (=HUMA 20000, JWSG 31000) This course provides an overall introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), with specific attention to its literary, religious, and ideological contents. The diversity of thought and theology in ancient Israel is explored, along with its notions of text, teaching, and tradition. Revision and reinterpretation is found within the Bible itself. Portions of the earliest post-biblical interpretation (in Philo, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and selected Pseudepigrapha) are also considered. Autumn.

20100. Judaic Civilization II: Rabbinic Judaism from the Mishnah to Maimonides. (=HUMA 20100, JWSG 31100) This course is a study of the primary texts in the development of classical and medieval rabbinic Judaism from roughly 70 C.E. to the twelfth century. The course centers on selections (in translation) from the Mishnah and tannaitic Midrash, the Babylonian Talmud, Geonic and Karaite writing, the Judeo-Arabic and Hebrew literature of Andalusia, and Maimonides's legal and philosophical compositions. Topics include different conceptions of the Hebrew Bible and its interpretation; the origins and development of the Oral Law; relations between Judaism and both Christianity and Islam; sectarianism, rationalist, and antirationalist trends in rabbinic thought; and the emergence of secular pursuits in the rabbinic tradition. Winter.

20200. Judaic Civilization III. (=HUMA 20200, JWSG 31200) The third quarter of the sequence focuses on Jewish life and creative achievement in America, the Holocaust and testimonies by survivors, and a brief look at modern Jewish theology. Spring.

22000-22100-22200. Elementary Classical Hebrew I, II, III. (=HEBR 10101-10102-10103, JWSG 30100-30200-30300) For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Hebrew). S. Creason. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

22300-22400-22500. Intermediate Classical Hebrew I, II, III. (=HEBR 20104-20105-20106, JWSG 30400-30500-30600) PQ: JWSC 22200 or equivalent. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Hebrew). D. Pardee. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

22700. European Judaism as Minority Culture. (=HIST 22701/32701, JWSG 32700) For course description, see History. L. Auslander. Autumn.

22900. "The Literature of Destruction": Narratives of Apocalypse in Modern Jewish and Russian Literary Traditions. (=CMLT 21100, HUMA 25502, RUSS 22900) For course description, see Comparative Literature. M. Grinberg. Winter.

23000-23100-23200. Medieval Jewish History I, II, III. (=HUMA 23000-23100-23200, JWSG 38100-38200-38300, NEHC 20411-20412-20413) PQ: Consent of instructor. This sequence does not meet the general education requirement in civilization studies. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Near Eastern History and Civilization). N. Golb. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

24600. Medieval Philosophy. (=JWSG 34600, PHIL 25600/33600, RLST 25900) PQ: PHIL 25000. For course description, see Philosophy. J. Stern. Winter.

24700. Jews and the Radical Enlightenment. (=CMLT 27400, HUMA 28902, RLST 25003) For course description, see Humanities. P. Maciejko. Winter, 2005.

25000-25100-25200. Introductory Modern Hebrew I, II, III. (=HEBR 10501-10502-10503, JWSG 35000-35100-35200, LGLN 20100-20200-20300/30100-30200-30300) For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Hebrew). A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

25300-25400-25500. Intermediate Modern Hebrew I, II, III. (=HEBR 20501-20502-20503, JWSG 35300-35400-35500, LGLN 20400-20500-20600/30400-30500-30600) PQ: JWSC 25200 or equivalent. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Hebrew). A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

25600-25700-25800. Advanced Modern Hebrew I, II, III. (=HEBR 30501-30502-30503, JWSG 35600-35700-35800, LGLN 22900-23000-23100/32900-33000-33100) PQ: JWSC 25500 or equivalent. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Hebrew). A. Finkelstein. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

27800. Hebrew Poetry in the Twentieth Century. (=NEHC 20925) Advanced knowledge of Hebrew strongly recommended. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Near Eastern History and Civilization). M. Brinker. Winter, 2005.

27900. Zionism and Its Critics. (=NEHC 20458) Knowledge of Hebrew not required. For course description, see Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Near Eastern History and Civilization). M. Brinker. Winter, 2005.

29700. Reading and Research Course. PQ: Consent of instructor and Undergraduate Program Adviser. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Autumn, Winter, Spring.

29900. B.A. Paper Preparation Course. PQ: Consent of instructor and Undergraduate Program Adviser. Students are required to submit the College Reading and Research Course Form. Required of honors candidates. Autumn, Winter, Spring.