2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog
Majors
The Center for Jewish Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies, as well as a minor certificate. A strong interdepartment curriculum provides a basis for understanding the broad spectrum of Jewish culture and civilization.
Through course work in the departments of Religion, English, African and Asian Languages and Literatures, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Anthropology, students may become acquainted with and specialize in areas such as biblical studies, Jewish history, early Judaism and Christianity, rabbinic texts, Jewish mysticism, modern and biblical Hebrew, the Holocaust, Israel studies, contemporary Jewish society, and Hebrew literature.
The program may serve as preparation for graduate work in Jewish studies, as background for a career in Jewish education or community service, or as an area of special interest, that will enrich one's undergraduate experience. The program is open to all UF students. Students often combine the JST major or minor with other majors and go on to professional careers in law, medicine, journalism, business or other professions.
The major requires a minimum of 27 hours in Jewish studies and related courses with grades of C or better. In addition, two years of Hebrew or the equivalent are required. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in Walker Hall, Room 105.
Most JST courses are listed in the Schedule of Courses under Jewish Studies. Related courses offered by other departments are listed in the African and Asian Languages and Literatures, English, Religion, History and Political Science departments. A list of courses is available in the Center each semester before advance registration and on the JST website.
Overseas Study: The Center for Jewish Studies provides counsel regarding study abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Haifa University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The overseas programs at these Israeli universities offer summer, one semester and full-year courses of study. Information is available in Walker Hall, Room 105, and at the UF International Center, Grinter Hall, Room 123. Scholarships are available. Travel restriction updates available at www.jst.ufl.edu/study.html.
General Education: The Jewish studies program offers several courses that satisfy general education requirements in humanities, international studies and diversity, or social and behavioral sciences.
| Jewish Studies |
| College: Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| Degree: Bachelor of Arts |
| Hours for the Degree: 120 |
| Minor: Yes |
| Combined-Degree Program: No |
| Website: www.jst.ufl.edu |
The Center for Jewish Studies offers a Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies, as well as a minor certificate. A strong interdepartment curriculum provides a basis for understanding the broad spectrum of Jewish culture and civilization.
Through course work in the departments of Religion, English, African and Asian Languages and Literatures, History, Philosophy, Political Science and Anthropology, students may become acquainted with and specialize in areas such as biblical studies, Jewish history, early Judaism and Christianity, rabbinic texts, Jewish mysticism, modern and biblical Hebrew, the Holocaust, Israel studies, contemporary Jewish society, and Hebrew literature.
The program may serve as preparation for graduate work in Jewish studies, as background for a career in Jewish education or community service, or as an area of special interest, that will enrich one's undergraduate experience. The program is open to all UF students. Students often combine the JST major or minor with other majors and go on to professional careers in law, medicine, journalism, business or other professions.
Courses
The major requires a minimum of 27 hours in Jewish studies and related courses with grades of C or better. In addition, two years of Hebrew or the equivalent are required. Students should consult the undergraduate coordinator in Walker Hall, Room 105.
- The 27 hours must include REL 2604 Introduction to Judaism. With the exception of REL 2604 and REL 2210, courses must be at the 3000 level or above. Beyond REL 2604, the remaining 24 hours of Jewish Studies electives should be distributed broadly across the curriculum with courses in classical Judaism, Jewish language, literature and thought, Jewish history, and modern Judaism.
- "Special topics" courses in other departments may be counted toward the major and minor provided they include substantial coverage of material relevant to Jewish Studies.
- No more than six hours of independent study (JST 4905) will be counted in the minimum. Normally, no more than 12 hours of the minimum may be transfer credit. However, all transfer credits in JST-related courses from UF-approved programs abroad will apply to the major.
Most JST courses are listed in the Schedule of Courses under Jewish Studies. Related courses offered by other departments are listed in the African and Asian Languages and Literatures, English, Religion, History and Political Science departments. A list of courses is available in the Center each semester before advance registration and on the JST website.
Overseas Study: The Center for Jewish Studies provides counsel regarding study abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, Haifa University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. The overseas programs at these Israeli universities offer summer, one semester and full-year courses of study. Information is available in Walker Hall, Room 105, and at the UF International Center, Grinter Hall, Room 123. Scholarships are available. Travel restriction updates available at www.jst.ufl.edu/study.html.
General Education: The Jewish studies program offers several courses that satisfy general education requirements in humanities, international studies and diversity, or social and behavioral sciences.
Critical Tracking Requirements
Semester 1:
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
Semester 2:
- Maintain 2.0 UF GPA
Semester 3:
- Complete HBR 1120
Semester 4:
- Complete HBR 1121 and one Jewish Studies course with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Semester 5:
- Complete HBR 2200 with a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work
Suggested semester-by-semester plan
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| HBR 1120 Beginning Modern Hebrew 1 | 5 |
| REL 2600 Introduction to Judaism (GE–H, I) | 3 |
| Composition (GE) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| HBR 1121 Beginning Modern Hebrew 2 | 5 |
| Physical Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| HBR 2200 Second-year Modern Hebrew 1 | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Mathematics (GE) | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| HBR 2201 Second-year Modern Hebrew 2 | 4 |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Science laboratory (GE–P or B) | 1 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| Composition | 3 |
| Physical Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| Biological Sciences (GE) | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Electives | 6 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Jewish studies elective | 3 |
| JST 4970 Senior Honors Thesis (optional) or Elective | 3 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in major) | 6 |
| Elective | 2 |
| Total | 14 |