Judaic Studies is the academic study of Jewish civilization, past and present. Judaic Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field bringing together scholars trained in multiple fields in the humanities and social sciences. It is a remarkably broad field, with a history spanning from biblical time to the present day, and geographically the world over. The key elements Judaic Studies include the study of the Jewish religion; the study of the languages; Jewish history and literature; Jewish thought and society.
Judaism is a central building block of Western Civilization and students of Judaic Studies gain insight into their own civilization. Further: students of Judaic Studies gain insights into the vital issues of diversity by studying the history and culture of a global minority, which faced some of the harshest persecutions in recorded history.
The Department of Judaic Studies will make Jewish heritages, texts, history available, relevant and meaningful to students at all levels and backgrounds.
The Graduate Certificate in Judaic Studies is a 15-credit program providing students with a broad introduction to graduate learning and research in the field of Judaic Studies. The certificate is structured to be completed within a single academic year. Upon completion of the program participants will receive a printed graduate certificate from the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Certificate serves a diverse student body
- It offers a transition year for college graduates seeking to apply to Masters and Ph.D. programs in fields directly related to Judaic Studies.
- For graduate students already in such a Masters or Ph.D. program, the Certificate includes training for teaching introductory courses in Judaic Studies to undergraduates.
- For local professionals and graduate students in other fields, the Certificate offers accredited professional development and expertise in a specific subject area through graduate level courses in Judaic Studies