Undergraduate

Academics

As an interdisciplinary program housed in the Norman and Bernice Harris Center for Judaic Studies, this minor is for students of diverse disciplinary backgrounds who are interested in Jewish cultures and peoples, past and present; the ways in which Judaism and other religious traditions have influenced each other, Near Eastern and Middle Eastern history and politics; and/or the origins and effects of anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. Language courses in Biblical Hebrew are available. You are eligible for several scholarships awarded by the center.

Experience

In the College of Arts and Sciences, we know experience is valuable and goes beyond the classroom. We strive to help you connect your academics with research, internships, education abroad, service learning, and leadership experiences. For example, you can:

• Attend the Klutznick-Harris Symposium, an annual international conference with the Klutznick Chair in Jewish Civilization at Creighton University in Omaha. Each year’s theme is different, attracting international scholars from many disciplines. Papers based on the conference presentations are gathered in an annual edited volume in the series “Studies in Jewish Civilization,” published by Purdue University Press.
• Join the Hillel-Jewish student organization.
• Study abroad in Israel through a faculty-led summer trip. For those who take part in this education abroad experience and have a Jewish studies minor there is a scholarship available.
• Students can receive a scholarship to help purchase books when you declare a Jewish studies minor.

Opportunities

Jewish studies provides an interdisciplinary background and equips students with an understanding of global issues and trends in historical and contemporary contexts. Employers in industries such as education, government, and business value this understanding of multiculturalism.