In the Jewish Studies Program, offered by the Department of History , students learn about Jewish ethnicity, history, literature, languages, ethics, religion, and music, exploring the diverse experiences and challenges of Jews in the United States and across the Jewish diaspora, including Israel and the wider Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. The program encourages awareness of minority perspectives, critical and interdisciplinary thinking, and exploration of cross-cultural relations. As is true with any good learning, the minor seeks to enable students to make the leap from knowledge to commitment and action. To that end, the program encourages students to engage in deeper Jewish-focused research and/or service-oriented fieldwork. The interdisciplinary minor includes courses offered by departments within the College of Humanities and the Arts  and the College of Social Sciences , and helps to prepare students for graduate education (in history, English, international relations, religious studies, philosophy, world languages, etc.), as well as professional training and careers (teaching, law, public sector service and advocacy, foreign service and diplomacy, museums, religious organizations, creative fields, etc.). Scholarships are awarded each semester to outstanding students enrolled in the Jewish studies minor program.

University Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a minor, at least 12 units of coursework must be completely distinct and separate from the coursework in the major, and coursework for the minor must include a minimum of 6 upper-division units (University Policy S16-4). Minor preparation or minor support courses do not count toward the 12 distinct units. Of the coursework for the minor, at least 6 units must be completed in residence at SJSU. The minimum aggregate GPA for all coursework required for the minor must be at least 2.0.

To allow students their greatest flexibility, the minor has no courses specifically required. Minor credit will be earned for the student’s significant research and focus on Jewish aspects of each course; students should consult with the Jewish Studies coordinator to confirm this significant focus.