Modern Jewish Studies

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies allows students to focus on the histories, languages, literatures, and cultures of the Jews as they have negotiated modernity. Consequently, the degree encompasses courses that reflect the particular strengths of Department faculty in Jewish History, American Jewish Studies, Israel Studies, the Holocaust, Judaism, Modern Jewish Thought, and Jewish Literatures. Majors develop a broad background in Modern Jewish Studies as an interdisciplinary project within higher education; moreover, the degree's breadth encourages students to locate Jewish experience in relation to other ethnic, religious, or racial minorities' groups globally, to contrast Jewish experiences both at the nation's margins and in the case of Israel, at its center.

To ensure a useful and meaningful university experience, all majors must consult any one of the department's faculty advisors regularly as they progress through the degree program. Students are also advised to consult with the Advising Resource Center (ARC) for information about General Education and other University degree requirements (https://advisinglca.sfsu.edu/).

1. Students develop interpretive and analytical skills in reading Jewish religious texts.
2. Students develop interpretive and analytical skills in reading Jewish literary texts.
3. Students gain knowledge of the history and cultures of Jews and Judaism in the ancient, medieval, and modern periods in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
4. Students gain knowledge of the relationships of Jews and Judaism to other peoples, religions, and cultures in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
5. Students gain knowledge of the ways that Jews and Judaism illuminate the histories, literatures, religions, and cultures of non-Jews in the world.
6. Students gain knowledge of the ways that non-Jewish histories, literatures, religions, and cultures are necessary to understand Jews and Judaism in the world.
7. Students find, read, understand, and assimilate primary and secondary research materials.

Shehaadat al-thaanawiya al-'aama | General Certificate of Secondary Education