Jewish Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
The Jewish Studies major offers students from varied backgrounds and disciplines a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the study of Jews and Judaism. Students learn about the geographic, historical, philosophical, and cultural diversity of the Jewish experience, including contemporary. They also gain critical and analytical skills that can be applied widely, including to the understanding and study of current challenges facing Jews and Judaism in the world.
Major category: Open
Minor available
Topic: Social sciences
Applicant type
Freshman
Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)
Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).
Transfer
Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission. Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
- Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
- Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
- See UW college and school graduation requirements.
- Learn the degree requirements.
- Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.
Department admission information
- Departmental application deadline: Students in good academic standing may declare the major at any time, including on their application for admission to the UW.
- Please contact the department for details about the application process.
Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for the major before transfer. See the department website for more information.
Courses recommended for the major:
- RELIG 145 SSc — Introduction to Judaism
- JEW ST 250/HSTCMP 250 SSc— Introduction to Jewish Cultural History
- Courses in international studies and world history
- Courses that develop writing skills
- Hebrew or other Jewish languages (Yiddish, Biblical Hebrew) 1
One of the following (available at Shoreline, Bellevue and Edmonds Colleges):
- JSIS 200 SSc – States & Capitalism
- JSIS 201 SSc – Making of the 21st Century
- JSIS 202 SSc – Cultural Interactions
Notes:
1 Complete two years of college-level coursework in one Jewish language, or demonstrate second year college-level proficiency in one Jewish language through a proficiency exam; complete one year each of college-level coursework in two different Jewish languages or demonstrate first year college-level proficiency in two different Jewish languages through proficiency exam.
Entering transfer information:
Total undergraduates: 0
Total from Washington community colleges: 0
Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):
3.75 – 4.00: 0
3.50 – 3.74: 0
3.25 – 3.49: 0
3.00 – 3.24: 0
2.75 – 2.99: 0
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 0