Jewish Studies is an interdisciplinary academic plan of the Faculty of Arts which may be taken in conjunction with many existing academic plans in Arts and other faculties.
Jewish history, culture, civilization and religion are filled with a wealth of traditions, achievements, and knowledge passed down through the centuries. It is our goal that this treasured heritage be shared with an international community of Jews and non-Jews who are seeking wider knowledge and understanding. Jewish Studies presents courses which bear directly on Jewish civilization and its importance for the Jewish and non-Jewish world.
Requirements
Requirements are identical for all academic plans (minor, option, and diploma).
The Jewish Studies Minor, Option, and Diploma require successful completion of a minimum of five academic course units (ten courses) with a minimum cumulative average of 70%, including:
- five Jewish Studies (JS) courses
- the remaining courses chosen, in consultation with the Chair, from an approved list of related courses from Arts departments
Notes
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Students enrolled in Honours or Four-Year General Major academic plans in the Faculty of Arts, or in Honours Majors in other Faculties, may pursue the minor.
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Students in all other degree plans may pursue the option.
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Students in non-degree or post-degree studies may be admitted to the diploma.
Core Courses
JS 120 Relationships in the Bible (Old Testament)
JS 130 Power and Corruption in the Bible (Old Testament)
JS 125 Great Texts in the Jewish Tradition
JS 150 The Quest for Meaning in Modern Judaism*
JS 203 Jewish Responses to the Holocaust
JS 205 The Hebrew Prophets**
JS 210 Jewish Philosophy
JS 211 Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism
JS 217 Judaism
JS 233 The Holocaust and Film
JS 250 Special Topics in Jewish Studies
JS 350 Special Topics in Jewish Studies
JS 450 Special Topics in Jewish Studies
*offered by Distance Education only
**offered on campus and by Distance Education
Approved Course List
CLAS 210 History of Ancient Law
CLAS 225 Classical Mythology 1: The Deities
CLAS 226 Classical Mythology 2: The Heroes
CLAS 325 Greek and Roman Religion (cross-listed as RS 315)
ENGL 202A/B The Bible and Literature
GER 381 Holocaust and Resistance in German Culture
GER 382 National Socialist Ideology and Culture
HIST 223 The Holocaust in History
HIST 237 The Ancient Near East and Egypt (cross-listed as CLAS 237)
HIST 263 Europe in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
HIST 341 Occupied Europe, 1938-1945
JS 105A Introductory Biblical Hebrew 1 (cross-listed as RS 131)
JS 105B Introductory Biblical Hebrew 2 (cross-listed as RS 132)
JS 301 Canada and the Holocaust
JS 306A Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (cross-listed as RS 331)
JS 306B Ancient Semitic Texts and Inscriptions (cross-listed as RS 332)
PHIL 230J God and Philosophy
PHIL 237 Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion (cross-listed as RS 261)
PHIL 238 Modern Philosophical Challenges to Religious Belief
PHIL 380 History of Ancient Philosophy 1 (cross-listed as CLAS 361)
PHIL 435/436 Studies in Philosophy of Religion
RS 100E Biblical Studies 1
RS 110 Religions of the West
RS 120 Religious Quests
RS 121 Evil
RS 222 Sacred Places
RS 224 Death & Dying: Comparative Views
RS 258 God
RS 260 The Study of Religion
RS 284 Women and the Great Religions
RS 336 Feminist Approaches to the Bible
RS 337 The Bible and Peace
RS 384 Dreams in Religious Experience
SPD 270 Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (cross-listed as RS 263)
Letter of Permission
Pursuant to an agreement between the University of Waterloo and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, students can study in Jerusalem on a Letter of Permission and will be eligible for awards from an endowment from the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Students may participate in, and earn credits through courses offered at the Rothberg International School, regular Hebrew University curriculum or other accredited Hebrew University programs.
UW/Bar-Ilan University (Internet Courses)
The following distance education courses are available through Jewish Studies, in collaboration with Bar-Ilan University in Israel:
For more information on these internet-based courses consult the Jewish Studies website.