Faculty of Arts

Jewish studies

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Faculty of Arts

1. Prerequisites
2. Requirements for a major
3. Jewish studies subjects
4. Career opportunities
5. For more information

Convener: Associate Professor Ziva Shavitsky (Centre for Jewish History and Culture).

The Jewish studies program at the University of Melbourne offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the development of Jewish civilisation from its origins to the contemporary world. Students will benefit from the interdisciplinary breadth of this area of study and the opportunity to combine this with options in Hebrew language study. It is the only program in Australia that teaches Hebrew language from beginners to advanced levels. Jewish studies maintains formal international arrangements with other universities to provide students with the option of completing some of their study overseas. Students also have access to one of the most comprehensive Hebrew and Jewish archival resources available in Australia. The program leads to an articulated structure of higher degree study and provides graduates with highly valued and transferable skills in their vocational pursuits. Jewish studies is conducted in a dynamic environment by dedicated teaching staff who are able to draw on the resources of one of the country's leading history departments. Special seminar and public lecture programs are conducted to promote discussion of issues relevant to the Jewish community in Melbourne and Australia today.

Jewish studies investigates the history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, ethnography and social theory of Jewish society and culture. Students of Jewish studies are encouraged to engage in contemporary debates about ethnicity and identity, assimilation, exile and diaspora cultures. Subjects cover a range of interests and are drawn from offerings by the Department of History and the School of Fine Arts, Classical Studies and Archaeology.

Although language study is not a formal component of the major in Jewish studies, students are encouraged to complete a Hebrew studies major concurrently. See Hebrew and Jewish studies for more information.

1. Prerequisites

The program may be commenced at first year, and there are no prerequisites for entry at this level.

Students may, however, enter at second year after the completion of 25 points of first year in approved subjects in consultation with the program convener.

2. Requirements for a major

A major in Jewish studies usually consists of nine 12.5-point subjects, totalling 112.5 points. It comprises:

two first-year subjects from the Jewish studies subjects listed below (25 points); and
seven second/third-year subjects from the Jewish studies subjects listed below (87.5 points).

A major may or may not include language study in Hebrew. However, students intending to undertake combined honours in Jewish studies must complete two semesters of Hebrew language study or an approved equivalent within the course of the BA degree. They must also complete a major in the combining area of study.

3. Jewish studies subjects

Students must consult the relevant area of study entries in the Handbook to make sure that they meet the prerequisites, if any, for entry into the following subjects.

Non-language study

First/second year		Semester
	109-130 Introduction to Modern Jewish Culture	1

Second/third year
	109-013 Exploring the World of Jewish Literature	1
	109-011 Jewish National Thought	Not Offered
	109-012 Reading the Holocaust	Not Offered
	109-021 Kabbalah and Jewish Mystical Traditions	2
	109-210 The Modern Jewish World and Israel	2
	109-211 Israeli Film: Society through the Movies	2
	131-030 From the Shtetl to Postmodernity	Not Offered
	131-052 The Holocaust & Genocide	1
	131-058 The Rise & Fall of the German Empire	1
	131-066 The Modern Middle East	1
	131-069 God Through History	1
	131-048 Hitler's Germany	2
	131-211 The History of the Arab-Israeli Conflict	2
	131-212 Screening the Holocaust	Not Offered

Language study

First/second year		Semester
	109-128 Hebrew 1A	1
	109-129 Hebrew 1B	2
	922-126 MCD-Introduction to Biblical Hebrew	1
	922-127 MCD-Biblical Hebrew: The Book of Ruth	2
	109-131 Hebrew 2A	1
	109-132 Hebrew 2B	2
	109-113 Hebrew 2C	Not Offered
	109-114 Hebrew 2D	Not Offered

First/second/third year
	109-006 Hebrew 3A	1
	109-007 Hebrew 3B	2
	109-008 Hebrew 3C	Not Offered
	109-009 Hebrew 3D	Not Offered

Second/third year
	922-128 MCD-Advanced Biblical Hebrew Reading	Year long

Third/fourth year
	109-455 Special Study Research Project (Hebrew)	1, repeat 2
	109-400 Hebrew 4A	1
	109-401 Hebrew 4B	2
	109-402 Hebrew 4C	Not Offered
	109-403 Hebrew 4D	Not Offered

4. Career opportunities

Graduates who have majored in Jewish studies have found employment as teachers, academics, translators, interpreters, writers, journalists, editors and in various areas of the public service and professions serving local Jewish communities.

5. For more information

Associate Professor Ziva Shavitsky
Centre for Jewish History and Culture
Room 250, Old Arts Building
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Tel: +61 3 8344 7562/5518
Email: ziva@unimelb.edu.au
Web: http://www.languages.unimelb.edu.au/hebrew/