Dual Major in Jewish Studies and Religion

The Dual Major in Jewish Studies and Religion is an integrated program of two complementary fields of study. Studying Judaism as a religion is greatly enhanced by familiarity with the world's other religious traditions; at the same time, in-depth knowledge of Jewish history, identity, and culture provides students of Religion with valuable insight into how religion interacts with other forces to shape the experiences of members of a particular faith. Students who complete the Dual Major will understand the history, culture, and religion of the Jewish people; they will also be able to analyze and apply theoretical understanding to the interaction between religious, social, and historical factors and be familiar with the other major religious traditions of the world.

Students in the Dual Major receive an interdisciplinary introduction to the field of Jewish Studies, followed by courses in Jewish religion and thought, Jewish history, and Jewish arts and culture. Electives allow for exploration of Northeastern's Jewish Studies offerings, which focus particularly on modern Jewish life and identity. Religion coursework provides grounding in the Bible, central to understanding Judaism and other Western religions, followed by broader coursework in world religion and upper-level thematic courses. Capstone courses bring the two fields closely together by integrating the study of Judaism into the broader study of religion or the study of religion into the study of the broader Jewish experience. Students fulfill their language requirement with Hebrew, and they are encouraged to fulfill their Experiential Education requirement through study abroad or an internship or co-op in a Jewish organization.

Students who complete the Dual Major in Jewish Studies and Religion will be well prepared for graduate work in Jewish Studies, Religion, or many of the other disciplines that make up Jewish Studies, or for work within the Jewish community or in communal organizations associated with other religions.

For a detailed listing of the course requirements for the Dual Major, click here and scroll down to page 38.