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Archived
November 25, 2014

 

Jewish Studies

 

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

Interim Dean: Daniel Bernardi

 

Department of Jewish Studies

HUM 416
Phone: 415-338-6075

Department Chair: Fred Astren
Undergraduate Advisors: Astren, Dollinger, Kaplan, Millet

 

Faculty

Professors: Astren, Dollinger
Associate Professors: Kaplan, Millet

 

Program

B.A. in Modern Jewish Studies

Minor in Jewish Studies

 

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Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies program is designed to provide an understanding of Jews and Judaism in terms of the interactions of culture, history, and religion. The challenge of modernity faced by Jews and Judaism over the last two hundred years has transformed traditional Jewish societies and generated a great measure of difference and diversity. After a history of more than two millennia, Jews have redefined religion, notions of identity, and social organization in contexts of a dominant culture (in Israel) and a minority culture (elsewhere in the world). The broader dynamics of how ethnic, religious, or racial minorities interact with the majority societies are examined in both these contexts. Courses explore the constants and variety of the Jewish experience in different historical periods and geographical settings and include language study.

 

Minor in Jewish Studies. The interdisciplinary minor consists of four 3 unit core courses and two 3 unit elective courses selected on advisement from offerings by a variety of colleges of the university. The purpose of the interdisciplinary Jewish Studies Minor is to acquaint the student with the history, culture, contributions, and religion of the Jewish people as seen through the eyes of modern academic disciplines and with particular reference to contemporary issues and patterns. Students can use the Minor in Jewish Studies to complement their majors and, with advising, to fulfill General Education requirements.

 

Career Outlook

The Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies and the Jewish Studies Minor offer an excellent background for students interested in Judaism as the basis for scholarly or professional pursuits, increasing the depth of understanding of the history, culture, contributions, and religion of the Jewish people within the context of a major discipline of study and prepare students for careers as educators and community professionals.

 

Complementary Studies

Students completing a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies are required to complete at least 12 units in Complementary Studies. Complementary Studies provides students with the opportunity to make connections across disparate forms of knowledge and inquiry. These units must come from courses bearing a prefix other than JS and may not be cross-listed with JS, and may be lower or upper division units, as well as resident or transfer units. Students who complete two majors or a major and minor automatically complete the complementary studies requirement. Otherwise, JS majors can fulfill this requirement through one of four pathways: A) 12 units through the study of a single language and/or literature other than English; B) 12 units from partial completion of a minor; C) 12 units taken in an approved study abroad program (e.g., CSU Study Abroad); or, D) 12 units from a coherent group of courses approved by a major advisor as complementary to the major. Upon approval of the student’s major advisor, up to 6 units of Complementary Studies may be used towards the JS major (under the existing “outside coursework” allotment).

 

Transfer students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill Complementary Studies requirements for their major only if these courses are included in the minimum units required for the major. Students should consult with a major advisor.

 

Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies

Three universities—San Francisco State University, CSU Chico, and San Diego State University—jointly offer courses toward a major in modern Jewish studies. Students use their home campus for general education and electives, take core courses in the B.A. from their home campus, and may use the joint-campus course offerings via distance learning in modern Jewish studies to get their B.A. Each of the three campuses awards the B.A. Students may take distance-learning courses only when the home campus does not offer those courses. Exceptions to this policy may be made in consultation with a modern Jewish studies advisor. No courses may be used to satisfy requirements in more than one area. The major requires 39 semester units.

 

Modern Jewish Studies (B.A.) — 39 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.

 

Minor in Jewish Studies

Jewish Studies, Minor — 18 units

Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.