Add a Certificate in Jewish Studies
Jewish Studies introduces students to Jewish culture, history, politics, and religion...from the Bible to the present day; from bagels to Baghdad.
You’ll learn to see beyond stereotypes and clickbait, and will develop your skills in thinking about the complexities of life in a diverse society. You’ll improve your understanding of human rights, religious texts, questions of identity, connections across cultures, and the historical and structural bases of inequality.
Take a course or two—or complete the certificate, a terrific credential for a range of graduate programs and careers.
The Certificate in Jewish Studies requires a minimum of 18 s.h., including at least 12 s.h. in courses completed at the University of Iowa. Students must earn a grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all certificate coursework.
The certificate takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Jewish history and cultures across time and space. Jewish studies encompasses a broad range of topics, including biblical studies; ancient, medieval, and modern history; Jewish religion; Jewish literature and art; Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Ashkenazi studies; race and gender; social justice; Holocaust studies; Israel studies; Jewish languages; and more. Jewish studies interrogates ethnicity and other forms of identity and therefore intersects with African American studies; Latina/o/x studies; gender, women’s, and sexuality studies; and other similar fields. Jewish studies is inherently transnational, interdisciplinary, and intersectional.
All students develop an individual certificate plan of study in close cooperation with a Jewish studies advisor. As a general rule, both foundation courses are offered annually, one in the fall and one in the spring. Other courses are typically offered on an annual or biennial basis. In some cases, students may be able to count certificate courses toward certain GE CLAS Core requirements.
Read more about the Certificate in Jewish Studies in the General Catalog.
Questions?
To learn more, contact one of the co-directors, Professors Ari Ariel and Elizabeth Heineman, or check out the requirements on the catalog.
Ari Ariel
