Jewish Studies
The Jewish Studies Program at Stetson University provides you with an interdisciplinary exploration of Jewish history, culture, language, religion, philosophy, politics and law. Designed as a flexible five-course minor, this program encourages cross-cultural interactions and global learning opportunities, including the possibility of studying abroad at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Unlike many other minors at Stetson, the Jewish Studies Program includes a requirement for a modest research project focused on achieving the program's learning objectives.
Why Jewish Studies at Stetson University?
Jewish Studies, one of the oldest fields of interdisciplinary studies dating back to the mid-19th century, fosters engagement with significant ideas across various humanities and social sciences disciplines.
Despite Jews comprising a small portion of the global population, delving into the history, religion and culture of Jewish communities provides insights into pivotal world events: from the advent of monotheism to the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel. Studying Jewish Studies will deepen your understanding of crucial regions such as the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe. It will also illuminate the religious and cultural dynamics within American society, complexities of Middle Eastern politics and the history of U.S. involvement.
At Stetson, Jewish Studies minors can engage in vibrant extra and co-curricular Jewish life through Hillel. For more details, contact Zipporah Hruby or follow the Hillel Facebook page. Additionally, Stetson partners with Hebrew University for semester or year-long study abroad opportunities; for more information, reach out to Stetson's WORLD office. Jewish young adults aged 18-32 are eligible for an all-expenses-paid trip to Israel through Birthright.
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Career Outcomes
As an interdisciplinary minor, which provides students with a rich background in global and transnational history, religion, culture and politics, Jewish Studies is the ideal complement to a number of majors across the arts, sciences and professional Schools. Whether you are a finance, religious studies, art, history or biology major, showing that you have the breadth of knowledge of global politics, culture and society is helpful in enriching your resumé and increasing your chances of admission to law, business or medical school.
For more information on possible career paths, educational and experiential opportunities linked to the broader field of Jewish Studies, see the excellent career website of the University of Minnesota Jewish Studies Program, as well as the many opportunities listed at the American Jewish Studies Association website.
The Jewish Studies faculty includes a diverse variety of professors who teach different subjects, including history, religious studies, political science, music and creative arts and more.
- Rabbi Barry Altman, Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies
- Michael Denner, PhD, Slavic Languages and Literature, Northwestern University
- Manuel DeMurga, PhD, composition, Eastman School of Music
- Mayhill Fowler, PhD, history, Princeton University
- Sam Houston, PhD, Florida State University
- Eric Kurlander, PhD, modern European history, Harvard University
- Susan Peppers Bates, PhD, philosophy, University of Pennsylvania
- Elisabeth Poeter, PhD, German studies, University of California at Berkeley
- Steven Smallpage, PhD, political science, Michigan State University
- Margaret Venzke, PhD, Columbia University
- Joseph (Rusty) Witek, PhD, English, Vanderbilt University
- Daniil Zavlunov, PhD, musicology, Princeton University
The Jewish Studies Minor at Stetson University provides students with the opportunity to study the global Jewish diaspora through course offerings on Jewish history, culture and language, religion and philosophy, politics and law. Students gain a working knowledge of key events, themes and turning points in Jewish history, culture, religion and geography. They will learn about Jewish ethnocultural, religious and socio-political diversity across Israel, Europe and the United States and develop an awareness of the interdisciplinary approaches to Jewish Studies drawn from multiple scholarly disciplines and fields.
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