Interdisciplinary Major - Jewish Studies

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Universal Curriculum Requirements

To be awarded a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, students are required to complete universal curriculum requirements in addition to the program requirements provided below. The school universal curriculum requirements can be found on the school Degree Programs page .

Program Requirements

Students who have taken two Jewish Studies classes are eligible to apply for the Jewish Studies Major Program. There is no grade requirement. Students must submit a transcript in order to apply.

The Major in Jewish Studies requires 10 courses (30 credit hours).

The core of the major in Jewish Studies is a close relationship between the student and two faculty advisors. Working with their faculty advisors, students design a course of study that fulfills the Jewish Studies requirements, provides disciplinary rigor, and addresses the student’s academic interests and career plans. Knowledge of Hebrew is not required but encouraged. Students are expected to complete language study appropriate to their particular program, as approved by their advisors.

Distribution Requirements

Three courses, one from each of the following categories, as approved by their advisors, in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

History and Society
Belief and Thought
Language, Literature and Culture

Electives

Students will take six electives, as approved by their advisors. Students are encouraged to select courses that focus on their area of interest. For example, a student with interests in modern Jewish history would take elective courses relevant to that area, while a student with interests in rabbinic literature would take elective courses relevant to that area.

Capstone

Students will take one 4000-level class selected in consultation with their advisors and relevant to their program of study.

Distinguished Majors Program in Jewish Studies

The Distinguished Majors Program (DMP) in Jewish Studies affords qualified students the opportunity to do advanced research, and to receive, at graduation, the honor of distinction, high distinction or highest distinction.

Entry into the Program

Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the Distinguished Majors Program.

Students qualify for the program if they have achieved an average of 3.400 in all university coursework as well as in all major course work prior to application for the program.
Application should be made to the Director of the Jewish Studies Distinguished Majors Program.
Admission into the program will be considered by the program’s Committee on Curricular Issues, and the Director of the Distinguished Majors Program.

Requirements for Completion of the Program

Completion of all major requirements (30 credits).
Students must enroll in JWST 4970 (directed reading; 3 credits) in the fall semester and JWST 4980 (writing; 3 credits) in the spring semester. These courses are in addition to the 30 required credits.
Students are responsible for selecting two members from the Jewish Studies faculty to serve as committee members; one member shall serve as the primary reader and chair.
The thesis shall be thirty to fifty pages in length.

Distinguished Majors Thesis

JWST 4980 - Supervised Research Credits: 3

Additional Information

For more information contact Jennifer L. Geddes, Ida and Nathan Kolodiz Director of Jewish Studies, PO BOX 400126, Charlottesville, VA 22904; (434) 924-6648; jlg2u@virginia.edu