Minor: Judaic Studies

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to earn minor: 18

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to earn minor: None.

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward minor: Grade of “C” or higher required in all courses.

Other GPA requirements to earn minor: None.

Contact Information: Timothy M. Cole, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Services, CLAS; Interim Coordinator of Judaic Studies, 100 Stevens Hall, (207) 581-3844, tmcole@maine.edu

Judaic Studies provides a broad liberal arts background that cultivates an appreciation of the central role played by Jewish culture in the development of human civilization. Without the full depth of a major, this interdisciplinary program provides students some substantive understanding of the historical, religious, literary, philosophical, sociological and political experiences of the Jews; and it offers a diverse disciplinary framing of questions central to the Jewish experience with different perspectives and methodologies. While a year of language study is not expected to lead to mastery, the Hebrew language is one of the strands that unify the history of Judaism. Some knowledge of Hebrew is indispensable for any serious study of Judaism.

Residency Requirement:

A minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at the University of Maine.

Tracks:

Two tracks are available. Judaic Studies and Judaic Studies, Language track.

Required Core Courses:

JST 200 - Introduction to Judaism Credits: 3
JST 203 - Jewish History and Culture I: The Middle Ages to 1750 Credits: 3
JST 204 - Jewish History and Culture II: The Jews & Europe, 1750-1948 Credits: 3
plus 3 elective courses

Required Courses for Language Track:

9 credits from Core plus
HBR 101 - Beginning Modern Hebrew Credits: 3
HBR 102 - Beginning Modern Hebrew II Credits: 3
plus 1 elective course

Elective Courses:

Choose at least 3 courses from this list. Other courses may be taken as electives with the consent of the Coordinator of Judaic Studies.

ANT 454 - Cultures and Societies of the Middle East Credits: 3
CLA 202 - Mythology of the Ancient Near East, North African and Greece Credits: 3
ENG 435 - The Bible and Near Eastern Literature: A Multicultural Perspective Credits: 3
HBR 101 - Beginning Modern Hebrew Credits: 3
(may be taken as elective in the non-language track)
HBR 102 - Beginning Modern Hebrew II Credits: 3
(may be taken as elective in the non-language track)
MUH 650 - Topics in Music History Credits: 3
Topic: Entarte Musik (interested undergraduate students may enroll in this course with permission of instructor)
PAX 398 - Topics in Peace and Reconciliation Studies Credits: 3
Topic: Genocide
PAX 491 - Forgiveness: Creating a Culture of Peace and Reconciliation Credits: 3
PHI 105 - Introduction to Religious Studies Credits: 3
POS 309 - Topics in Political Theory Credits: 3
(topics that are clearly relevant to Judaic Studies may be counted)
POS 359 - Topics in American Government Credits: 3
(topics that are clearly relevant to Judaic Studies may be counted)
SOC 482 - The Sociology of Religion Credits: 3