Trinity College
Jewish Studies Major

Ronald Kiener, Director

Click here for Fall 1999 JWST course roster Click here for JWST Faculty
Click here for Spring 2000 JWST course roster
Jewish Studies is a multi-disciplinary, college-wide investigation of Jewish civilization in its many historical and geographical manifestations. The scope of the Jewish Studies curriculum covers Jewish civilization from its ancient Near Eastern origins through its contemporary history and culture in Israel and the diaspora communities around the world. It is a secular, academic program with diverse, cross-cultural emphases.

Majors are required to complete, with grades of C- or better, twelve course credits in the Jewish Studies Program. Majors are strongly recommended to participate in foreign study, normally through the Wesleyan/Trinity/Brown semester in Jerusalem, or through Trinity’s summer Archaeological Excavation in Israel at Tel el-Far'ah.

The award of Honors in Jewish Studies will be based on a grade point average of A- or better in the courses for the major and excellence in the senior independent project or thesis.

Requirements for the major:

I. Core Courses: 4 courses

RELG 109. The Jewish Tradition
RELG 211. Introduction to the Hebrew Bible
HIST 336. Modern Jewish History
HIST 384. Christian and Jews in Medieval Europe


II. Language: 4 courses

All participants in Jewish Studies must satisfactorily arrive at the intermediate level of Hebrew language acquisition (Biblical or Modern), or pass an examination demonstrating that level of competence. Language study beyond the intermediate level can be counted as elective work.


III. Electives: 3 courses

 Participants in the major may choose from any of the elective courses listed below. Students may petition the director to have elective study outside of this approved list counted. A one-credit internship may be counted as an elective.


IV. Senior thesis

In their senior year, majors will complete JWST 497, a one-semester, one-credit senior thesis research tutorial under the supervision of a participating faculty member of the Jewish Studies Program. This thesis should be initially planned in consultation with the director. In exceptional circumstances, the director can be petitioned to allow a year-long, two-credit thesis.
A complete list of all Jewish Studies courses