Jewish Studies, Minor

Introduction

The minor in Jewish Studies promotes the academic exploration of various Historical and Biblical sources as they relate to the Jewish people through religion, culture, history, and Israel.

The Jewish Studies curriculum, through its interdisciplinary sequence of formal courses and independent studies is designed to encourage independent thinking, and balanced perspectives.  Though it is not possible to major in Jewish studies, students can design a Liberal Arts Degree with an emphasis on Jewish Studies. The Jewish Studies minor is available to all graduating students who complete the program requirements.

Program Organization

A wide range of Jewish Studies courses and independent studies are offered in General Studies and program acronyms. These courses provide a wide scope of topics for study and an opportunity for thorough investigation of specific issues.  Every formal Jewish Studies course carries 4 credits. Independent study and internship opportunities can be discussed with the coordinator of the program or a member of the Jewish Studies faculty.

Requirements for the Minor

Students interested in completing the Jewish Studies minor are required to take four courses in Jewish Studies plus an independent study OR internship. Two Holocaust and Genocide Studies courses may be taken in place of two Jewish Studies courses. (Students who earn the minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies may take two additional Jewish Studies courses and earn both minors)

 Independent study projects topics and internships must be approved by the Jewish Studies Coordinator. Full time Stockton faculty from other programs may supervise an independent study and internship with the permission of the Jewish Studies coordinator.

Special Opportunities

Opportunities for related overseas studies are available at Tel Aviv University and other universities in Israel. Stockton, with the other New Jersey State colleges, participates in a semester long program of study at Tel Aviv University. The courses offered at Tel Aviv are conducted in English and include classes in Judaica and in subjects of a more general nature. Opportunities also exist for students to spend a year at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem or Ben Gurion University in Be’er Sheva. Interested students should contact the department of Global Studies at oge@stockton.edu. Scholarships are often available to help defray the cost of study in Israel.

Stockton students may also undertake study visits to Israel during the Summer or Winter break and carry out their credit-bearing projects under the auspices of Stockton’s Jewish Studies or International Education program.

Stockton Students who declare the minor in Jewish Studies and have taken at least two Jewish Studies courses are eligible to apply to the Stockton Foundation for several special Jewish Studies scholarships and book awards. These scholarships and awards are designated for students who are taking classes to complete the minor in Jewish Studies minor, planning a career in Jewish communal work, have made major contributions to Jewish life on campus, or have made major contributions to multicultural harmony on campus.

Extensive cultural activities of relevance to Jewish studies are offered at Stockton, sponsored by the Jewish Studies faculty, Stockton’s active Jewish Student Union/Hillel and Chabad.

The Sara and Same Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center, housed in the library which opened at Stockton in 1990 is a Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) Holocaust Center of Excellence.  The JFR Holocaust Centers of Excellence Program was established to honor centers who have made an extraordinary commitment to teach the Holocaust in their communities.  The Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center serves as a focal point for the Study of the Holocaust, helps to train teachers and houses artifacts and oral histories of the Holocaust. Students may register for an internship at the Holocaust Center for academic credit. This internship can count towards both the minor in Jewish Studies and the minor in Holocaust and Genocide Studies minor.

The Richard E. Bjork Library has a vast collection of books on topics of Jewish Studies in many formats including print, electronic, microform and media. Students may register for an internship in the special collections section of the library for academic credit towards the minor in Jewish Studies.

The Jewish Studies faculty works closely with the Jewish Federation of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Students who are interested in careers in Jewish communal work can serve in internships with the Federation or its agencies. Internships in Washington D.C. and of relevance to Jewish Studies, may also be available.

Full details about the curriculum are accessible on the Jewish Studies website.