Modern Jewish Studies, BA

Zachary J. Braiterman, Director
zbraiter@syr.edu
501 Hall of Languages
315-443-5719

Faculty

Zachary J. Braiterman, Erella Brown, Miriam Fendius Elman, Ken Frieden, Sanford Sternlicht, Harvey Teres, Laurence Thomas, James W. Watts

This interdisciplinary major explores Modern Jewish culture and religion. Faculty research and teaching focus on the Hebrew and Yiddish fiction, European and American literature, Jews and Judaism in modern Europe and America, the arts, thought and culture, Israel, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The major provides broad, interdisciplinary knowledge of Jewish experience both historical and contemporary, and is meant to prepare students for further pursuits in Jewish culture, history, and religion upon graduation, either academically or in private life. The Jewish Studies Program offers courses and advising to students, and a range of events (lectures, films, musical performances, etc.) for students, faculty, and the larger community. Graduate students are eligible to apply for the Benjamin Fellowship, and all students may submit Holocaust-related papers to the undergraduate and graduate Kalina Prize competition.

Major Requirements

The major requires 24 credits of appropriate work. Because of the interdisciplinary character of Jewish Studies courses, it is crucial that the following clusters be delineated and approved in consultation with the Director.

1. Students take two courses selected from

2. Upper-Division Courses

Students will demonstrate proficiency at the level of HEB 202 (by way of coursework or a placement exam), and will take 18 credits in the following HEB and/or JSP upper-division courses. Among these courses students are required to take the Judaic Studies Senior Seminar (JSP 439 /REL 439 ).