JEWSH-BA - Jewish Studies (BA)

The Interdepartmental Program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity (CSRE) is an interdisciplinary program offering students the opportunity to investigate the significance of race and ethnicity in all areas of human life. The program's mission is to educate students to be leaders and produce knowledge for race and justice. Devoted to a rigorous analysis of race and ethnicity and using a comparative and interdisciplinary approach, CSRE promotes and deepens students' understanding of the multiple meanings of racial and ethnic diversity both in the United States and abroad. The program prepares students for living and working effectively in a multicultural world. The interdisciplinary and integrated nature of the academic programs means that students take courses from across the university including: anthropology, art, communication, economics, education, history, languages, linguistics, literature, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, sociology, theater and performance, among others.

The Jewish Studies major provides students with an understanding of Jewish history, language, literature, religion, thought and politics. Jewish culture originated in the ancient Near East and continues today in many different forms across the globe. Drawing from the Humanities, the Social Sciences and from courses offered by affiliated faculty in the School of Education, the Jewish Studies major seeks to help students understand Jewish identity, thought and self-expression within larger historical and social contexts, and to develop their ability to analyze human experience from different disciplinary perspectives.

In addition to the undergraduate major and minor offered through the interdepartmental program in CSRE, the Taube Center for Jewish Studies offers a full range of guest lectures, conferences, and symposia. Graduate students interested in Jewish Studies should see the separate Jewish Studies section of this bulletin for program information, opportunities, and additional course descriptions.

Students should visit the CCSRE website for instructions on how to declare the major.

Up to 20 units of external credit may be applied to course electives.

The Program in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity expects undergraduate majors in the program to be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:

1. an understanding of interdisciplinary approaches to the knowledge of experiences related to race and ethnicity in the United States;

2. an ability to employ diverse analytical resources and comparative modes of study as tools to frame and address research questions;

3. an ability to critically engage both primary and secondary sources, and properly use both types of evidence in crafting an argument;

4. an ability to actively and critically engage in verbal and/or written discussion of issues;

5. demonstration of analytical writing skills that convey their understanding of the topic;

6. an expanded ability to think critically about issues in political, social, scientific, economic, and cultural life stemming from the diversity of experiences related to race and ethnicity.