The Jewish Studies Program offers a multidisciplinary approach to the diversity of Jewish experience.

This approach involves studying the creation and reproduction of Jewish culture in multi-ethnic societies in the ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary worlds as well as such theoretical concerns as Diaspora, Zionism, religion, and the construction of Jewish identity.

The Program in Jewish Studies is supported by instruction in the Hebrew language from elementary through advanced levels, with opportunities to study abroad in Israel and elsewhere during the junior year. Yiddish language at the elementary and intermediate levels is available through the Self-Instructional Language Program, and special instruction in Aramaic, the language of the Talmud, is available. Because a large and important population of Jews in the pre-1948 era lived in the linguistic and cultural milieu of Arab lands, students may wish to consider taking advantage of the Arabic language curriculum in support of their work in Jewish studies.

Jewish Studies draws upon faculty from a wide variety of departments including Anthropology, Greek and Roman Studies, English, Hispanic Studies, History, Political Science, Psychological Science, and Religion, reflecting the multidisciplinary orientation of the field. The curriculum stresses the diversity of Jewish experience and includes the study of the history, religion, and culture of Jews in Western and non-Western societies.