Judaic Studies

What Is Judaic Studies ?

This interdisciplinary major combines the study of Hebrew with history, literature, philosophy and other fields to familiarize students with the experience of the Jews of the past and present. Judaic studies offers students a wide range of approaches to exploring and understanding Jewish history, culture and religion.

Success Factors

Successful Judaic studies degree candidates demonstrate the core abilities and skills required in many liberal arts disciplines: academic focus, time management and the ability to develop high-level critical thinking skills. In particular, Judaic studies is suited to students who work well with languages and wish to study Judaism in its religious, historical, literary and cultural contexts. The program welcomes students of all backgrounds - field biology majors do not need to be mice and Judaic studies majors do not need to be Jewish!

Career Possibilities

Judaic studies graduates are well-prepared for further academic work in Judaic studies, Near and Middle Eastern studies, religious studies, Holocaust studies and other related fields. A Judaic studies degree also prepares one for careers in research and in various private- and-public sector fields. In addition to pursuing graduate study, Judaic majors and minors enjoy careers in:

• education
• community service
• a wide variety of religion-affiliated organizations
• journalism
• social work
• business
• and many other fields that value individuals whose skills include research, writing and critical thinking.

Additional career options are listed on the Career Development Center's Web site. 

Major Details

The Department of Judaic Studies in UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) offers a comprehensive education in the history, literature and art of Jews from Biblical times to the present. Our interdisciplinary faculty specialize in such areas as ancient Judaism, Jewish arts, archaeology, medieval Jewish history, Jewish literature, Holocaust studies, Zionism and modern Jewish history. Students benefit from a rich educational experience, which may include internships, travel and study in Israel. Judaic studies fully integrates the resources of UC and draws upon the Hebrew Union College and the American Jewish Archive. Judaic studies at UC provides an integrated humanities education tailored to the needs and interests of each individual student.

For current Arts & Sciences students, click here to declare your major or double major

A&S provides flexible degree requirements which allow for and highly encourage multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Anthropology
• Area Studies
• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Geography
• History
• International Affairs
• International Human Rights
• Journalism
• Languages
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

Minor Details

A certificate or minor in Judaic studies is granted upon completion of 36 credit hours in Judaic studies, including Jewish civilization (127-28-29), Jewish thought (3 cr.), Jewish literature (6 cr.) and 18 credit hours of free electives (language courses may count to fulfill this requirement). Please note that students interested in completing a minor in Judaic studies should complete the minor declaration.

• JUDC 127, 128, 129, Jewish Civilization, 9 credits
• Judaic Studies Elective in Thought (see list below), 3 credits
• Judaic Studies Electives in Literature (see list below), 6 credits
• Judaic Studies Electives, 18 credits

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Major Checklist (Hebrew Language Concentration)

Major Checklist (Service/Experiential Learning Concentration)

For the third & fourth years, students must select either the Hebrew Language Concentration or Service/Experiential Concentration.

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

Major Electives

HISTORY
JUDC 315 The Menorah
JUDC 325 Jerusalem
JUDC 326 Jewish Nationalism
JUDC 327 Modern Israel
JUDC 330 Jews and Islam
JUDC 341 The Sephardic Diaspora: 1492-2000
JUDC 343 Medieval Mediterranean Jews: 4th-15th Centuries
JUDC 353 Women in Jewish Civilization
JUDC 362 American Jewish History 1654 to the Present
JUDC 379 Judaism and Christianity in Conflict
JUDC 386 Jewish Heretics
JUDC 393 Biblical Archaeology
JUDC 399 Acculturation and Assimilation: The Jewish Encounter with Western Cultures
JUDC 405 The Bible and the Ancient World
JUDC 475 Mystics and Messiahs
JUDC 481 Spanish Jewry
JUDC 482 East European Jews to World War I
JUDC 505 History of the Hebrew Book

LITERATURE
JUDC 300 The Jewish Bible
JUDC 301 Biblical Narratives
JUDC 321 Demons in the Bible and Related Texts
JUDC 328 Women in the Bible
JUDC 329 Evolution of the Angel
JUDC 331-332-333 Advanced Hebrew (credit pending permission of instructor)
JUDC 348 The New Testament in Its Jewish Matrix
JUDC 349 Introduction to Rabbinic Literature
JUDC 355 Yiddish Literature in Translation
JUDC 360 American Jewish Fiction
JUDC 371 Jews in American Film
JUDC 372 Israeli Cinema
JUDC 374 Jewish Humor/Women’s Humor
JUDC 380 Dead Sea Scrolls
JUDC 383 Literature of the Holocaust
JUDC 387 Freud and Judaism
JUDC 392 The Apocrypha
JUDC 401-402-403 Modern Hebrew Literature
JUDC 405 The Bible and the Ancient World
JUDC 487 The Book of Job and the Problem of Evil
JUDC 537 Topics in Jewish Literature
JUDC 550 Film and the Holocaust
JUDC 575 Jewish Women Writers

THOUGHT
JUDC 315 The Menorah
JUDC 317 Jewish God Concepts
JUDC 321 Demons in the Bible and Related Texts
JUDC 326 Jewish Nationalism
JUDC 327 Modern Israel
JUDC 328 Women in the Bible
JUDC 329 Evolution of the Angel
JUDC 330 Jews and Islam
JUDC 352 Gender and Judaism
JUDC 353 Women in Jewish Civilization
JUDC 374 Jewish Humor/Women’s Humor
JUDC 379 Judaism and Christianity in Conflict
JUDC 382 Studies in the Holocaust
JUDC 384 Religion and the Holocaust
JUDC 385 Religion and Genocide
JUDC 386 Jewish Heretics
JUDC 387 Freud and Judaism
JUDC 390 Art and Judaism
JUDC 394 Modern Jewish Thought
JUDC 395 Medieval Jewish Philosophy
JUDC 399 Acculturation and Assimilation: The Jewish Encounter with Western Cultures
JUDC 475 Mystics and Messiahs
JUDC 480 Jews in Europe
JUDC 485 Modern Jewish Ethics
JUDC 487 The Book of Job and the Problem of Evil
JUDC 508 Freud and Judaism
JUDC 510 Anti-Semitism
JUDC 550 Film and the Holocaust

COURSES THAT MAY FULFILL ONE OR MORE REQUIREMENTS DEPENDING ON CONTENT
JUDC 311 Topics in Ancient Judaism
JUDC 312 Topics in Medieval Judaism
JUDC 313 Topics in Modern Judaism
JUDC 365-366-367 Judaic Studies Practicum
JUDC 591-592-593 Individual Work in Judaica

Special Opportunities

Students in McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

The University of Cincinnati’s Department of Judaic Studies offers the student a unique academic and cultural experience. Since UC is a state-affiliated school, students of all backgrounds are welcome, and the program carries no theological or political agenda. The department enjoys a healthy relationship with nearby institutions such as Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, the Jacob Marcus Center, the American Jewish Archives and the Center for Holocaust Education, and students have ongoing opportunities to work with those institutions.

The department’s faculty represents a wide range of disciplines within the field and boasts both distinguished publication records and numerous teaching and service awards. At the same time, professors and instructors are engaged and accessible, offering students personal attention and a feeling of community in a large university setting.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA. Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Additional college-prep subjects (3 units)

*McMicken College of Arts and Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

University transfer scholarships are available to those who meet specific requirements and ANY admitted A&S transfer student might qualify for an A&S transfer scholarship. Deadlines and eligibility criteria are online via the previous links.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English composition or its equivalent, and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

A&S students must meet the college residency requirement of 45.0 hours which begins immediately upon matriculation in the college and consists of courses taught within A&S.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences, students must:

• Earn at least 180 credits. This can include transfer credit, AP credit and free electives, but does not include preparatory coursework. Students who have met all other degree requirements must continue earning credit until the total number of their earned hours comes to at least 180.
• Attain a 2.0 grade point average for all courses taken at the University of Cincinnati.
• Be in good academic standing, that is, not on either academic probation or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Complete the residency requirement by earning at least 45 credits after matriculating into the college. These minimum 45 credits must be taught within McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (15), and also must be completed after gaining admission to the college.
• Complete all of the requirements of at least one major (see major requirements above).
• Complete the College Core Requirements.
• Submit an application for graduation to the registrar's office by their posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in French West, 2nd Floor). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).