The interdisciplinary program in Jewish studies introduces students to the study of classical, medieval, early modern, and modern Jewish cultures and to the range of disciplines that bear upon the field.

The Jewish studies major and minor offer students the chance to study Jewish communities and cultures across the world, with special reference (though not limited) to modern issues. The major and minor will help them prepare to move successfully into graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, especially in humanities, social sciences, and pre-professional programs, and will provide students with a grounding in materials fundamental to a liberal arts education. This program connects with a range of disciplines and programs on the University of California, Santa Cruz, campus that explore the meanings of modernity; at the same time, this program will help students develop analytical tools, methodological versatility, and critical literacy.

Note that modernity here is not defined as unfolding solely in Europe or North America; the Jewish studies program intends to speak to modernity as a global phenomenon, dealing with sites where Jews lived. In the 19th and 20th centuries Jews were widely spread across the globe and often played active and influential roles in their communities. These include such places as China, India, Latin America, North Africa, the Middle East, as well as Europe and North America.

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Jewish History and Culture

✔ Identify and interpret major events, figures, and topics in Jewish history and culture.

Holocaust

✔ Demonstrate thorough knowledge of the Holocaust as a historical phenomenon.

✔ Develop a nuanced understanding of the cultural dimensions of the Holocaust through an analysis of literature, films, art, and/or music.

Jewish Languages

✔ Develop basic competency in Hebrew (modern or Biblical) or Yiddish.

Critical Analysis

✔ Distinguish between primary and secondary sources.

✔ Evaluate competing interpretations and multiple narratives of the past.

✔ Analyze Jewish cultural sources, including literary texts, films, and music within a broader, cross-cultural context.

Effective Communication

✔ Present clear and compelling arguments, based on critical analysis of diverse literary, historical, film, and/or musical sources, and effectively communicate interpretations in written essays and/or other media.

Scope

✔ Classical through Modern periods.