Jewish Studies is for everyone. Its focus is the study OF Jews and Judaism. We welcome students from all personal and academic backgrounds to our courses, major, certificate program, and Hebrew minor.
Jewish Studies is for everyone. Its focus is the study OF Jews and Judaism. We welcome students from all personal and academic backgrounds to our courses, major, certificate program, and Hebrew minor.
The faculty and staff of the Borns Jewish Studies Program are pleased you have selected Indiana University to further your education! One of the largest undergraduate Jewish Studies programs in the U.S., IU Jewish Studies is noted for its commitment to undergraduate education, excellence in classroom experiences, as well as student programming and scholarships, internships, prizes, and travel support for students.
We hope you’ll meet with the Jewish Studies Advisor (Carolyn Lipson-Walker) in the Fall and become a Jewish Studies student!
If you have previous knowledge of Hebrew, you should take the Hebrew placement exam online at least 72 hours before you arrive for freshman orientation: http://foreignlanguageplacement.indiana.edu/ (click on Hebrew)
In the meantime, you’ll find below all the information you need for freshman orientation and fall registration right here:
The Borns Jewish Studies Program offers 3 options for students:
1. The Jewish Studies Major
Students must complete the following courses/requirements for the major:
A maximum of 3 courses may be credited from language testing or from transfer credit. Courses taken at Hebrew University (via IU Overseas Study) count as IUB courses. Students must also complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Total: 30 credit hours.
2. The Jewish Studies Certificate
Students must complete the following requirements for the certificate:
No more than 4 courses from the student's major can be double-counted toward the Jewish Studies certificate; At least 3 courses (excludes credit from language testing) in Jewish Studies must be taken on the IUB campus; A maximum of 3 courses may be credited from language testing or from transfer credit. Courses taken at Hebrew University (via IU Overseas Study) count as IUB courses; All course work must be completed with a grade of C- or higher; Total of 24 credit hours minimum.
3. The Jewish Studies Minor in Hebrew (Modern Hebrew Track or Biblical Hebrew Track)
Students must complete the following requirements
Modern Hebrew Track
Biblical Hebrew Track
The 3 courses at the 300-400 level cannot be counted toward the Jewish Studies major or the certificate in Jewish Studies; A student majoring in Hebrew through the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures may not also earn a minor in Hebrew; Students can choose to pursue both the Jewish Studies major and the Hebrew minor or the Jewish Studies certificate and the Hebrew minor, or the Hebrew minor alone; Students must complete at least 6 credit hours of course work in the minor on the Bloomington campus; Total of 15 credit hours.
Jewish Sacred Music Curriculum
Yiddish Minor through the Department of Germanic Studies
Interested in being a Jewish educator? You should pursue the major in Jewish Studies rather than a degree in Education. Only students who primarily want to teach in a public school should become Education majors.
JSTU-H 100 Elementary Hebrew I (4 cr.)
MTWR 10:10-11:00 3600 Ballantine 232
MTWR 11:15-12:05 3602 Ballantine 232
MTWR 12:20-1:10 3601 Ballantine 232
JSTU-H 150 Elementary Hebrew II (4 cr.)
MTWR 10:10-11:00 29147 Ballantine 016
JSTU-H 200 Intermediate Modern Hebrew I (3 cr.)
MWF 10:10-11 11604 Ballantine 229
MWF 11:15-12:05 3603 Ballantine 016
MWF 12:20-1:10 3604 Ballantine 241
JSTU-H 300 Advanced Modern Hebrew I (3 cr.)
MWF 12:20-1:10 3605 Ballantine 016
No more spaces? Put yourself on a waitlist! We’ll always accommodate students.
* M=Monday; T=Tuesday; W=Wednesday; R=Thursday; F=Friday
Students should start taking Hebrew courses in their freshman year and take the courses in two consecutive academic years.
Power, Politics, and Piety: Nationalism and Territory in Israel/Palestine (3 cr.)
Shaul Magid
COLL-C 103 Critical Approaches to Arts & Humanities 11576
TR 12:20-1:10 plus discussion: 9:05-9:55 (F) 11577; 10:10-11 (F) 11578; 11:15-12:05 (F) 11579; 12:20-1:10 (F) 11580
Who Wrote the Bible? (3 cr.)
Herbert Marks
COLL-C 103 Critical Approaches to Arts & Humanities 11550
TR 3:35-4:25 plus discussion: 10:10-11 (F) 11551; 11:15-12:05 (F) 11552
Introduction to Old Testament/Hebrew Bible (3 cr.)
Eva Mroczek
REL-A 210 10969
MW 5:45-7
Multiple Voices of Israeli Society (3 cr.)
Aziza Khazzoom
JSTU-C 214 / NELC-N 214
MW 1-2:15
Representing Jews & African Americans in American Musical Theatre (3 cr.)
Judah Cohen
JSTU-J 203 33388/ FOLK-F 252 Folklore & the Humanities 13490
MW 9:30-10:45
Introduction to Jewish History: From the Bible to
Spanish Expulsion (3 cr.)
Jason Mokhtarian
JSTU-J 251 (#10396)/ HIST-H 251 (#3319)
TR 2:30-3:45
Call the Jewish Studies secretary (812) 855-0453 in the fall to make an appointment. Students will not be considered Jewish Studies majors or certificate students until they have met with the Jewish Studies advisor, Dr. Carolyn Lipson-Walker.