Minor

• The minor requires 18 credit hours, which may be used towards the R&C major with other minors at Virginia Tech. Students will take the two required courses and then choose four additional courses from three units, at least one course from each unit.

Judaic Studies Minor checksheet

Required Courses

• JUD 2134: Jewish History, Culture, and Heritage
• JUD 2414: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament

Elective Courses

• 12 hours, at least one course from each unit

   Unit 1

• JUD 1104: Hebrew Language
• JUD 1114: Accelerated Elementary Hebrew Language

   Unit 2

• JUD 3424: Topics in Jewish Culture, History & Thought
• JUD 3494: The Holocaust
• JUD 4414: Topics in Biblical Studies
• JUD 4424: Advanced Topics in Jewish Culture, History & Thought

   Unit 3

• HIST 2346: History of the Middle East
• HIST 3654: The Arab-Israeli Dispute
• JUD 3544: The State of Israel, A Political History
• JUD 4974: Independent Study


Courses

HIST 2346: History of the Middle East. History of the Middle East from the seventh century to today, with emphasis on formation of Islamic civilization, medieval and early modern political systems, European imperialism, and the struggle for independence. 2345: seventh century to 1914; 2346: independence, wars, revolutions, and social change since 1914.

HIST 3654: The Arab-Israeli Dispute. Historical origins and development of the struggle for Palestine. Emphasis on post-WW II including conflicting nationalisms, wars, history of Israel, and Great Power diplomacy.

JUD 1104: Hebrew I. Fundamentals of Modern Hebrew language with emphasis on grammar, reading, composition, and conversation. For students with no prior knowledge of the language.

JUD 1114: Accelerated Elementary Hebrew Language. Complementary introduction to the fundamentals of Modern hebrew language with continued emphasis on grammar, reading, composition, and conversation. This course is for students who have completed 1104 or with permission from instructor. 1114 is a four-credit course with a self-instruction component that demands student time outside of class.

JUD 2134: Jewish History, Culture, and Heritage. A thematic and historical introduction to ancient, medieval, and modern Judaism, up to the founding of the State of Israel. Themes will include monotheism, exile, mysticism, Kabbala, Hasidism, anti-Semitism, the Holocaust, and Judaism in Israel and America.

JUD 2414: Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Introduction to the academic study of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament); a variety of scholarly approaches to the Bible, including historical-critical, literary, and gender studies. Emphasis on developing skills in critical thinking, reading, and writing about the Bible. Previously taught as 2405.

JUD 3424: Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought. Selected topics in Jewish culture, history and thought. The courses will focus on a variety of specific issues and will tend to be held as an in-depth seminar. Recent topics have included: Evil and Providence in Jewish Thought; Revelation, Law & Politics; and The Modern Jewish Experience.

JUD 3494: The Holocaust. This course provides a historical account, a psychological analysis and an occassion for philosophical contemplation on the Holocaust. We will examine the deliberate and systematic attempt to annihilate the Jewish people by the National Socialist German State during World War II. Although Jews were the primary vicitms, Gypsies, the handicapped, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses and political dissidents were targeted, we will discuss their faith as well. The class will be organized around the examination of primary sources: written accounts, photographic and film, personal testimony. Taught alternate years.

JUD 3544: The State of Israel, A Political History. This course provides a survey on the political history of the State of Israel and highlights major themes uniquely characterizing the specific events surrounding its establishment and its First 50 years of existence. Additionally, the course will add a comparative dimension by using the political history of Israel as a case study to discuss major themes in political science such as democracy, government, political economy, etc.

JUD 4414: Topics in Biblical Studies.

JUD 4424: Advanced Topics in Jewish Culture, History and Thought. Selected topics in Jewish culture, history and thought. The courses will focus on a variety of more advanced and more specific issues than those offered in JUD 3424. These courses will be held as an an-depth seminar in affiliation with the Honor Student's Program. Possible topics includes: the Philosophy of Maimonides, Spinoza or Buber, or a course dedicated to one of the following topics Kabbalah, Hasidism, The American Jewish experience in the first half of the 20th century, and Oriental Jewish art and folklore. Two JUD courses or senior standing required. Alternate years.

JUD 4974: Independent Study.