UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08 College of Letters and Science Foreign Languages and Linguistics Hebrew Studies

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  • College of Letters and Science
    Hebrew Studies

• Course of Study: Hebrew Studies Major
• Option A. Hebrew Studies
• Option B: Jewish Cultural Studies
• Course of Study: Jewish Studies Minor
• Related Programs
  Courses: Hebrew Studies (HEBR ST)

The major in Hebrew Studies offers students the opportunity to pursue studies in a Hebrew Studies option that requires proficiency in the Hebrew language (modern or Biblical) or in an option that focuses on Jewish Cultural Studies and incorporates coursework from other disciplines with a focus on modern perspectives on Jewish culture and history. 

Course of Study: Hebrew Studies Major

All majors in Hebrew Studies are required to register with the program at the beginning of their candidacy. To be accepted into the major, students who wish to pursue the Hebrew Studies option must have a GPA of 2.5 in the first two years of Hebrew language courses. Students who wish to pursue the Jewish Cultural Studies track must have earned a grade of B- or better in Jewish 101. 

Language Requirement

Students in the major are required to achieve proficiency in a language other than English, defined as completion of the fourth semester of language studies or its equivalent.  For the Hebrew Studies option, students must complete this requirement in either modern (Hebr St 202 Fourth-Semester Hebrew) or Biblical (Hebr St 206 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew II) Hebrew. The Jewish Cultural Studies option requires proficiency in French, German, Hebrew (modern or Biblical), Polish, Russian, Spanish, or Yiddish.  Students in this option who are considering advanced studies in Jewish Studies or a career in Jewish education are encouraged to take modern or Biblical Hebrew. 

Research Requirement

To satisfy the College of Letters and Science research requirement, students must complete Jewish 599, Research Methods in Jewish Studies (under development).

Option A. Hebrew Studies

The Hebrew Studies option allows students to study Biblical and modern Hebrew, as well as the literature, history, and cultures based on the Hebrew language. Study in Hebrew and in translation allows students to delve into the foundations of Judaism, Biblical and classical literature, and modern Jewish and Israeli literature and culture.

The Hebrew Studies option requires a total of 24 credits beyond the fourth semester of language studies; 15 credits must be completed in courses numbered 300 or above taken in residence at UWM. The following requirements must be satisfied.

A.  Religious Foundations, 3 credits

One of the following:

B.  History, 3 credits

One of the following:

C.  Literature, 6 credits

Two of the following:

D.  Research, 3 credits

E.  Electives, 9 credits

Students may choose courses not on this list in areas related to Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, or the philosophy of religion with the approval of the Hebrew Studies option coordinator.

Option B. Jewish Cultural Studies

The Jewish Cultural Studies option provides an opportunity for students to study Jewish culture in terms of its historical roots, artistic creations, socioeconomic-political dimensions, cultural contributions, and so on.  It will expose students to a variety of perspectives on issues of enduring importance and vital global concern.

A.  Core Courses (9 cr):

B.  Two of the following History courses (6 cr):

C.  Two of the following courses (6 cr):

D.  Electives (6 cr): Courses may be selected from any of the following.  

Other relevant courses may be selected with the approval of the Jewish Studies coordinator.

Course of Study: Jewish Studies Minor

The Jewish Studies minor requires the completion, with a GPA of 2.5 or above, of a minimum of 18 credits, at least 9 of which must be taken at the 300 level or above in residence at UWM. Sudents can obtain a minor in Jewish Studies by following one of two options.

Option A. Hebrew Studies

The Hebrew Studies minor option requires the following:

1. Two semesters (at least 6 cr.) in one of the following areas: Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, or Yiddish language courses:

Option B. Jewish Cultural Studies

The minor option in Jewish Cultural Studies requires 18 credits distributed as follows:

1. Core Courses (6 cr):

2. Two of the following History courses (6 cr):

3. Two of the following courses (6 cr):

Other relevant courses may be selected with the approval of the Jewish Studies coordinator.

Related Programs

Hebrew Studies students also may be interested in the Comparative Ethnic Studies and the Comparative Study of Religion programs as well as the certificate program in Middle Eastern and North African Studies.

Courses