Overview

This program is not accepting applications for academic year 2024-2025.

The Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies is offered by the Department of Religion. Jewish Studies is an interdisciplinary field that allows students to sample courses across the liberal arts curriculum at Temple University. Central to Jewish Studies is an examination of the history, culture, beliefs, customs, practices, texts and languages of the Jewish people. It addresses the legacy of over 2,000 years of Jewish life as it has been lived in Jewish communities across the globe. At Temple we pay particular attention to contemporary issues of Jewish culture, identity, and practice.

Program Code: LA-JST-BA

Distinction in Major

Jewish Studies majors may graduate with distinction if they have a GPA of 3.5 or better in the major, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, and a grade of 3.5 or better in the capstone course (JST 4096, an individual research project with a specific faculty member, intended for majors in the final semester of coursework).

These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.

Summary of Degree Requirements

University Requirements

• MATH 0701 (4 s.h.) and/or ENG 0701 (4 s.h.), if required by placement testing.
• All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses as part of the major. The specific courses required for this major are JST 4096 and one additional Jewish Studies elective that is writing-intensive.
• Students must complete requirements of the General Education (GenEd) Program. See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for more details.

College of Liberal Arts Requirements

• Completion of a minimum of 123 credits, including:
  • 90 credits in CLA/CST courses;
  • 45 credits of which must be at the upper level (numbered 2000-4999).
    • For Social Science majors, 6 upper level credits (numbered 2000-4999) must be taken in Humanities Subject Areas: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Greek (Ancient), Greek and Roman Classics, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Philosophy, Religion, Russian, and Spanish in the College of Liberal Arts, Art History in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, or any department in the College of Science and Technology.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0, cumulatively, in CLA/CST coursework, and in the major.
  • Only courses in which a student receives a grade of at least C- can satisfy GenEd, major, minor, or CLA Foreign Language and Global Studies requirements.
  • Professional Development Requirement
    • All students in the College of Liberal Arts are required to take a 1 credit seminar in professional development. CLA 1002 Professional Development for Liberal Arts Majors is the appropriate course option for this major. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CLA College Requirements page. Only one course in this category may count towards graduation.
  • Foreign Language/Global Studies Requirements:
    • All students must complete or test out of the first and second levels of a foreign language - these courses are numbered 1001 and 1002;
    • All students must complete at least one course from the GenEd Global/World Society category; and
    • All Bachelor of Arts students must complete one of the following options:
      • Third semester of a foreign language;
      • Demonstrated proficiency beyond the third semester in a foreign language (placement exam or certification from the language department);
      • Take one Global Studies course from the list on the CLA College Requirements page;
      • Study Abroad at an approved program; or
      • Take a second General Education Global/World Society course.
    • Notes on Foreign Language Study
      • The third level of language is numbered 1003 in French, Spanish, and Portuguese and numbered 2001 in all other foreign language subjects.
      • Students are strongly encouraged to take the third level of a foreign language as it is the minimum required for election to the prestigious honor society Phi Beta Kappa. (Taking the course does not guarantee admission but not taking it guarantees exclusion.)
      • See the College of Liberal Arts Policies section of this Bulletin for more information on the Foreign Language Placement, Regression in Coursework, and guidelines for students' other experiences with language.

General Electives are typically one-third of a student's program of study and can be focused on a second major, a minor, or towards some other personal enrichment or professional goals. See an academic advisor for assistance in developing an academic plan for these courses.

Major Requirements (33 credits)

¹

All students must take two writing-intensive courses in their major. In addition to JST 4096, students must select one Jewish Studies elective that is writing-intensive.   

Students interested in a history or religion focus should consult with a Jewish Studies advisor to plan an individual program of study. 

Suggested Academic Plan

Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.

Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies

Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year

¹

Course typically offered only in the fall semester.

²

Course typically offered only in the spring semester.

³

At least one required course for the major besides JST 4096 must be a writing-intensive course. This course can be either a general or an area elective.