Getting Started (Majors Guide)

College: HFA

 (Revised Spring 2018)

Judaic and Near Eastern Studies Department

How to Explore / Get Started in the Major

Suggested General Education Courses

Under the new guidelines students are still required to take two courses, one in U.S. Diversity and one in Global Diversity. Students entering in Fall 2018 are expected to take one of these diversity courses, either U.S. or Global, in their first year on campus.  For Fall 2018 Registration, look for courses with DU (formerly U) and DG (formerly G) to help students stay on track.  Any course labled DU will satisfy the requirement for a U.S. diversity course and any course labeled DG will satisfy the the requirement for Global diversity course. Course planning guidelines, including guidelines for students, are available at www.umass.edu/gened.

Suggest Major and Pre-requisite Courses

JUDAIC 101 – The Jewish Experience I
JUDAIC 102 – The Jewish Experience II
Hebrew 110 - Elementary Modern Hebrew I
Hebrew 120 - Elementary Modern Hebrew II

*No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.

How to Declare the Major

Students should consult with the department chair at any time to declare the major. They may contact the Office Manager with questions (jne@judnea.umass.edu).

Students may consult with Ofir Zussman for evaluation of Hebrew language ability and course placement. Please email ozussman@judnea.umass.edu.

Summary of Requirements for the Major

Minimum total # or range of credits required: 50

  • JUDAIC 101
  • JUDAIC 102
  • Three years of Hebrew or Yiddish. Hebrew is usually fulfilled by Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Modern Hebrew (110, 120, 230, 240, 301, 302). Yiddish is usually fulfilled by a first year taken at UMass (101 and 102), followed by the Steiner Summer  Yiddish Program and classes at other institutions.
  • Six 3-or-4 credit Judaic Studies courses (at or above the 200-level)
  • JUDAIC 398W Junior Year Writing Requirement
  • Integrative Experience Seminar (3 credits) in senior year

Notes:

  • The Judaic Studies major requires at least a C grade in courses taken towards the major.
  • No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.
  • Departmental Honors require an Honors project undertaken during a student’s final year.

Is there a minor? If so what are the requirements? Yes.

Judaic Studies

  1. JUDAIC 101 (The Jewish Experience I) and 102 (The Jewish Experience II)
  2. Four 3-or-4 credit Judaic Studies courses (at or above the 200 level).

Hebrew

  • Six 3 or 4-credit courses (at or above 200 level and at least 18 credits) in Hebrew language, linguistics, literature, or culture

For further information, contact:
Office Manager
744 Herter Hall
545-2550
department email: jne@judnea.umass.edu