Interdisciplinary Judaic Studies Minor

Judaic Studies provides a broad liberal arts background that cultivates an appreciation of the central role played by Jewish culture in the development of human civilization.  This interdisciplinary program provides students some substantive understanding of the historical, religious, literary, philosophical, sociological and political experiences of the Jews; and it offers a diverse disciplinary framing of questions central to the Jewish experience with different perspectives and methodologies.

Find out more about this minor in the UMaine Catalog.

For more information, visit the Judaic Studies website.

Coordinator

portrait of derek michaudDerek A. Michaud
Lecturer of Philosophy
derek.a.michaud@maine.edu
207.581.3890

Minimum number of credits required to earn minor:  18

GPA requirements to earn minor: Students graduating with a minor in a CLAS field must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in the courses in the minor field that are credited toward completion of the minor.

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward minor:  Grade of “C” or higher required in all courses.

Two tracks are available.  Judaic Studies and Judaic Studies, Language track.

Required Courses for Judaic Studies Language Track:

  • HBR 101 – Beginning Modern Hebrew, Credits: 3
  • HBR 102 – Beginning Modern Hebrew II, Credits: 3
  • JST 200 – Introduction to Judaism, Credits: 3
  • JST 205 – Jewish History and Antisemitism from Antiquity to the Founding of the State of Israel, Credits: 3
  • 2 elective courses (6 credits)

Elective Courses

Courses marked by an asterisk (*) may be taken as electives when in the judgment of the Coordinator of Judaic Studies the topic is clearly relevant. Additional courses not listed here may be taken as electives with the consent of the Coordinator.

  • ANT 120 – Religions of the World, Credits: 3
  • ANT 249 – Religion and Violence, Credits: 3
  • ANT 256 – Ethnic Conflict, Credits: 3
  • ANT 290 – Special Topics in Anthropology, Credits: 3 *
  • ANT 490 – Topics in Anthropology, Credits: 3 *
  • ANT 497 – Department Projects, Credits: Ar *
  • CLA 202 – Mythology of the Ancient Near East, North Africa and Greece, Credits: 3
  • HBR 101 – Beginning Modern Hebrew, Credits: 3 (may be taken as elective in the non-language track)
  • HBR 102 – Beginning Modern Hebrew II, Credits: 3 (may be taken as elective in the non-language track)
  • HON 349 – Tutorial Alternative Portfolio, Credits: 0 *
  • HON 350 – Honors Seminar, Credits: 3 *
  • HON 498 – Honors Directed Study, Credits: 3 *
  • HON 499 – Honors Thesis, Credits: 3 *
  • HTY 199 – Problems in History, Credits: 3 *
  • HTY 398 – Historical Issues, Credits: 3 *
  • HTY 411 – The Holocaust, Credits: 3
  • HTY 446 – History of Modern Middle East, 1800-Present, Credits: 3
  • HTY 498 – Senior Seminar in History, Credits: 3 *
  • JST 383 – Topics in Judaic Studies, Credits: 3
  • PAX 201 – Introduction to Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Credits: 3
  • MUH 650 Topics in Music History: Entartete Musik: Degenerate Music (see Graduate Catalog for description)
  • PAX 398 – Topics in Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Credits: 3 (Topic: Genocide)
  • PAX 491 – Forgiveness: Creating a Culture of Peace and Reconciliation, Credits: 3
  • PAX 498 – Special Projects in Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Credits: 1-6
  • PHI 105 – Introduction to Religious Studies, Credits: 3
  • PHI 465 – Advanced Topics in Philosophy, Credits: 3 *
  • PHI 466 – Readings in Philosophy, Credits: 1-3 *
  • PHI 475 – Junior/Senior Philosophy Seminar, Credits: 3 *
  • POS 359 – Topics in American Government, Credits: 3 (topics that are clearly relevant to Judaic Studies may be counted)
  • POS 370 – International Terrorism: The Challenges for America, Credits: 3
  • POS 386 – Religion and Politics in the United States, Credits: 3
  • POS 469 – Politics of the Middle East, Credits: 3
  • POS 498 – Independent Study in Political Science, Credits: 1-3 *
  • SOC 308 – Problems of Violence and Terrorism, Credits: 3
  • SOC 325 – Sociology of Religion, Credits: 3
  • SOC 493 – Senior Thesis, Credits: 3 *
  • SOC 499 – Senior Seminar, Credits: 3 *

Residency Requirement

Minimum of 9 credit hours must be completed at the University of Maine

Required Courses for Judaic Studies Track:

  • JST 200 – Introduction to Judaism, Credits: 3
  • JST 205 – Jewish History and Antisemitism from Antiquity to the Founding of the State of Israel, Credits: 3
  • 4 Elective courses (12 credits)