Based in the Department of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages and sponsored by the department’s Hebrew and Judaic Studies section, UConn’s major in Judaic Studies offers a unique interdisciplinary approach to the study of the languages, literatures, culture, history and religion of the Jews. Students are especially encouraged to pursue their interests in Jewish civilization by learning about the experience of the Jewish people within other cultures from ancient to modern times. This truly interdisciplinary approach, which allows students to include relevant courses offered by other sections of the department, is further enhanced by the many courses that are cross-listed with other departments and programs at the university.
Literatures, Cultures and Languages
The Department of Literatures, Cultures and Languages offers courses in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Spanish, Classical Languages (Ancient Greek, Latin, and Biblical Hebrew) and selected critical languages. Students may major in Chinese Studies, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, French and Francophone Studies, German Studies, Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, Judaic Studies, and Spanish Studies. A student may double major in two of the above majors. Students will gain knowledge of the Literature, Culture, and applied Language skills that are required for teaching, business, diplomatic or governmental work, and research in graduate or undergraduate study of the culture and literature that is associated with these languages.
Education Abroad is required (or strongly encouraged, please see descriptions) for the majors in modern languages for at least one semester or approved equivalents. The department sponsors University of Connecticut programs in France; Italy; Spain; Germany; and Tianjin, China. Many other programs are available in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe through Education Abroad. Such coursework is normally most valuable during the junior year, but qualified sophomores and seniors are also eligible Students interested in Education Abroad should consult with their advisors.
Courses numbered at the 2000 level or above are open to first-year students and sophomores if they meet the course prerequisites. In the modern languages, coursework is conducted in the foreign language unless otherwise indicated.
Requirements
All students are required to study Hebrew language. Fulfillment of this requirement depends upon the student’s area of interest. There are two Tracks, each with a distinct orientation: Track A, General Judaic Studies and Track B, Classical Judaic Studies. While both tracks provide grounding in all periods of Jewish civilization, Track B emphasizes the pre-modern experience and “classical” texts of the Jews.
Students in Track A are required to have two years of Modern Hebrew (or the equivalent, which would include credits from Israeli or other “ulpan” programs).
Students in Track B are required to complete the single year sequence of courses in Biblical Hebrew, which prepares the student to read Hebrew scripture in the original.
Students in Track A and B are required to take 24 credits beyond the required language preparation in their track as specified below.
Students who are majoring in other disciplines and may not be able to pursue Hebrew language proficiency but wish to obtain a solid grounding in Judaic civilization are encouraged to pursue a minor in Judaic Studies.
Track A: General Judaic Studies
General Judaic Studies majors are required to complete the following courses:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HEJS 1001 | Elementary Modern Hebrew I | 4 |
| HEJS 1002 | Elementary Modern Hebrew II | 4 |
| HEJS 1003 | Intermediate Modern Hebrew I | 4 |
| HEJS 1004 | Intermediate Modern Hebrew II | 4 |
| HEJS 1103 | Who Are the Jews? Jewish Identity through the Ages | 3 |
These courses do not count toward the 24 credits required for the major.
Information Literacy and Writing in the Major Requirements
General Judaic Studies majors must complete HEJS 3401W Jewish American Literature and Culture (included in 24 required credits) to fulfill their information literacy and writing (“W”) requirements. SOCI 2509W Sociology of Anti-Semitism may be substituted for HEJS 3401W Jewish American Literature and Culture with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
Four courses (12 credits) from Group 1 including one each from the Biblical, Ancient/Rabbinic, Medieval, and Modern periods, and three additional courses (nine credits) drawn from either Group 1 or Group 2.
Group 1
Group 2
The following courses may also be included in the required 24 credits with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor:
Some HEJS Graduate courses that are open to undergraduates may also be substituted with the permission of the student’s HEJS advisor. In addition, students may also take upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in other sections of LCL that have significant Judaic content provided they have been approved by their HEJS advisor.
Track B: Classical Judaic Studies
Classical Judaic Studies majors are required to complete the following courses:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HEJS 1103 | Who Are the Jews? Jewish Identity through the Ages | 3 |
These courses do not count toward the 24 credits required for the major.
Information Literacy and Writing in the Major Requirements
Classical Judaic Studies majors are required to complete HEJS 3330W /CAMS 3330W /HIST 3330W (included in 24 required credits) to fulfill their information literacy and writing (“W”) requirements.
Seven courses amounting to 21 credits chosen from Groups 1 (Core Courses) and 2 (Specialized Courses). The selection of Group 2 courses depends upon the student’s specific interests in the pre-Modern experience of the Jews and should be chosen with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor.
Group 1 - Core Courses
Group 2 - Specialized Courses
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| HEJS 5316 | | 3 |
| HEJS 5326 | | 3 |
One of the following courses may also be included in the 24 credits, depending upon the student’s pre-modern period of interest. Approval of the student’s HEJS advisor is required.
The following courses may also be included in the required 24 credits with the approval of the student’s HEJS advisor:
University Common Curriculum Requirements
Every student must meet a set of core requirements to earn a baccalaureate degree, in addition to those required by the student's major course of study and other requirements set by the student's school or college. For more information about these requirements, please see Common Curriculum Requirements.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements
Students must meet a set of requirements established by the college in addition to the University's Common Curriculum requirements. For more information, see the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section of this catalog.
