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Florida Hebrew University Department of Hebrew and Jewish Studies

Department of
Hebrew and Jewish Studies

With several other programs in development, our department is proud to offer a B.A. in Jewish History for those passionate to learn and teach about the heritage of the sons of Yakov. The curriculum emphasizes breadth and depth, integrating various teaching methodologies and offering students a holistic understanding of Jewish history.

B.A. in Jewish History

Curriculum 

Total Credits - 135

Core Courses: 51 credits (first 1.5 years)         

Specialty Courses: 84 credits (last 2.5 years)

Minimum GPA To Graduate: 2.0

Minimum Merit-Based Scholarship GPA: 3.5

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NOTE: All undergraduate students are required to take 51 credits of foundational courses in the first three (3) semesters of study. Courses marked with asterisk (*) are eligible for credit transfer from High School or Seminary.

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Year 1: Core Courses - 36 credits

 

1st Semester

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ENG101 English Writing and Composition* (3 credits)
GEN101 Principles of Logic (3 credits)
COM101 Oral Presentation Skills (3 credits)
HEB101 Lashon Kodesh/Hebrew Language Alef* (3 credits)
FLG101 Foreign Language Alef* (Spanish, French, German, Russian, or Arabic) (3 credits)

NED101 Principles of Nutrition and Wellness (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 18

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2nd Semester

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COM102 Oral Communications (3 credits)

HEB102 Lashon Kodesh/Hebrew Language Beith* (3 credits)
ADM101 Principles of Business Administration (3 credits)
CST101 Computer Literacy* (3 credits)
FLG102 Foreign Language Beith* (Spanish, French, German, Russian, or Arabic) (3 credits)
JWH101 Jewish History* (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 18

 

Year 2. Advanced Studies and Specialization - 33 credits 

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1st Semester

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ADM302 Fundraising for Business (3 credits)
NSH101 Principles of Family Dynamics (3 credits)

EDU201 Teaching Modesty to Children (3 credits) 
FLG201 Foreign Language Gimmel* (Spanish, French, German, Russian, or Arabic) (3 credits)

LAW201 Foundations of Law (3 credits)

HJS201  Ancient Israel and Early Judaism (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 18

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Spring Semester

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HJS202 Lashon Kodesh/Hebrew Language for Historians (3 credits)

HJS203  Research Methods in Jewish History (3 credits)

HJS204  Torah Perspectives on Hebrew Consciousness and Moshiyach Concepts (3 credits)

HJS205 Jewish Life in the Greek, Roman, and Sasanian Empire (3 credits)

HJS206 Jewish Spirituality and Kaballah: Delving into the Mystical Traditions (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 15

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Year 3: THEMATIC EXPLORATION - 33 credits

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Fall Semester
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HJS301 Medieval Jewish Culture: Jewish Communities in the Islamic world, Christian Europe, and beyond (3 credits)

HJS302 Jewish Communities and Migration (3 credits)

HJS303 Holocaust and its Aftermath: Causes, Events, Responses, and Long-Term Effects (3 credits)

HJS304 History of Jewish Art and Science (3 credits)

HJS305  Rabbinical Leadership from19 th to 21st Century (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 15

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Spring Semester
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HJC306 Yiddish and Ladino as Languages of the galut (3 credits)

HJS307 History of Zionism and the State of Israel (3 credits)

HJS308  Middle-Eastern Jewry in the Islamic World (3 credits)

HJS309 Jewish Women as Shapers and Influencers Throughout History (3 credits)

HJS310 Archaeology and Jewish History (3 credits)

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Total Credits: 15

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Summer Session

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INT301 Internship (3 credits)

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Year 4: ADVANCED STUDIES AND SPECIALIZATIONS - 33 credits

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Fall Semester

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HJS401 History of Jewish Education (3 credits)

HJS402 The Ten (10) Lost Tribes (3 credits)​

HJS403 Jews and Society: Contributions and Contemporary Issues (3 credits)

HJS404 Methods in Historical Linguistics (3 credits)

HJC405 Hebrew Calligraphy and Paleography (3 credits)

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​Total Credits: 15

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Spring Semester
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HJS406 Teaching Jewish History in K-12 Schools: Curriculum Development (4 credits)

HJS407 Giyur and Baalei Teshuvah: History, Halakhah, and Case Studies (3 credits)

HJS408 Career Choices for Jewish History Majors and Career Readiness (1 credit)

HJS409 Book Publishing: From A to Z (3 credits)

HJS410 Independent Research Project (4 credits)

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Total Credits: 15

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Summer Session

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INT401  Internship (3 credits)

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Parnasa Pathways

See How You Can Apply The Knowledge and Training You Receive And Earn A Living To Fit Your Torah-Observant Lifestyle.

Synagogue Stained Glass

Career Opportunities

Some Career Options to Pursue with Your B.A. Degree 

Genealogy

Genealogist

Assist individuals in tracing their Jewish ancestry and family history, using historical records and databases.

Creative Writing

Historical Writer/Author

Write books, articles, or contribute to publications focusing on Jewish history, making historical narratives accessible to a broader audience.

Cultural Programs

Cultural Program Coordinator

Plan and coordinate cultural events, festivals, and programs that celebrate and showcase Jewish history and traditions.

Public Historian

Junior Public Historian Position

Engage in public history projects, creating exhibits, conducting oral history interviews, and collaborating with communities to share their historical narratives.

Document Translation

Historical Document Translator

Utilize language skills to translate historical documents, manuscripts, or texts related to Jewish history. This role could involve working with archival materials or collaborating with research projects that require linguistic expertise.

Archaeology

Archaeological Assistant

Collaborate with archaeological teams on projects related to Jewish historical sites, helping unearth and document historical artifacts.

Ph.D. Pursuit

Ph.D. Program Student

Students are encouraged to pursue further education in Jewish history to deepen their knowledge and or other history-related field like historical linguistics.

Consultant for TV/Film

Historical Consultant for TV/Film

Provide expertise on Jewish historical accuracy for film and television productions set in historical periods.

Tourism

Heritage Tourism Coordinator

Develop and organize heritage tours focused on Jewish history, guiding visitors through significant historical sites and landmarks.

Education

High School History Teacher

Teach Jewish history at the secondary school level, providing students with insights into the rich cultural and historical heritage.

Digital Archives

Cross-Cultural Mediation

Digital Archive Curator

Cross-Cultural Mediator

Serve as a mediator or facilitator specializing in cross-cultural dialogue and conflict resolution. Work with organizations, government agencies, or non-profits to mediate conversations between individuals or groups from Jewish and Muslim communities. This role involves helping to identify common ground, facilitating respectful communication, and fostering collaboration to address shared concerns and build positive relationships.

Enter the digital realm by managing and curating online collections of historical documents, photographs, and multimedia materials related to Jewish history. Work with digital archives, libraries, or cultural institutions to make historical content accessible to a wider audience.

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