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The Jewish Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary program focusing on the study of the Jewish people--their history, religion, literature, and culture.
The JST core courses and related electives aim to enhance the student's understanding of Judaism and the variety of Jewish cultural experience. They also foster SUNY Cortland's mission to study and combat prejudice and discrimination. The minor is designed to complement a number of academic majors -- history, political science, sociology, English, philosophy, among many others.
The Jewish Studies program offers diverse courses that Cortland students have deemed meaningful additions to their education. In fact, students are invited to explore their own particular interests by developing topics for Independent Studies. Both the Jewish Studies minor and individual courses are helpful in preparing for careers, whether specialized, such as Jewish education, or wide reaching, such as community relations.
The Jewish Studies Committee
of the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies* also sponsors cultural
events throughout the academic year. Working together with students of
Hillel,*
these groups seek to engage and educate the entire Cortland community in
diverse aspects of the Jewish experience.
Henry Steck, Political
Science
(607) 753-4807
E-mail: steckh@cortland.edu
Ellen Newman, Childhood/Early Childhood Education
(607) 758-5312
E-mail: newmanes@hotmail.com
Academic Co-Coordinator:
Sanford Gutman, History
(607) 753-2065
E-mail: gutmans@cortland.edu
The minor in Jewish Studies consists of 18 hours in required core courses and nine hours of electives. As new courses are developed and approved, they will be included as options under the appropriate category. Special topics courses in related areas offered by a number of departments also may be acceptable. In addition, Jewish Studies offers the opportunity for Directed Study (JST 360), an individualized course of study that may be taken for one to three credits. Waivers or substitutions for certain courses may be made with permission of the Jewish Studies coordinator.
Core Courses
All three courses are required
JST 140: Basic Judaism-------------------------------------------------------------------------3
JST 361/His 361: Jews in the Ancient World-----------------------------------------3
JST/His 460: The Holocaust------------------------------------------------------------------3
Elective Courses
Nine hours are chosen from the following with no more than six hours in history
ANT 312: People of the Middle East-------------------------------------------------------3
JST 250/ENG 250: Introduction to Jewish Authors------------------------------3
JST 329: Topics in Jewish Studies--------------------------------------------------------3
(Topics courses in other disciplines that relate to Jewish Studies may also be considered)
JST 360: Directed Study--------------------------------------------------------------------1- 3
JST 362/HIS 362: Jews in the Middle Ages-----------------------------------------3
JST 460/HIS 460: The Holocaust--------------------------------------------------------3
JST 461/HIS 461: Modern Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict-------------3
POL 456: International Politics in the Middle East-------------------------------3
SOC 352: U.S. Ethnic Identity and Conflict------------------------------------------3
SOC 475: Sociology of Religion------------------------------------------------------------3
Students may complete all
or part of the Jewish Studies minor in an accredited Semester or Year Abroad
Program in Israel or in other countries with accredited programs. SUNY
has accredited programs with Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University
in Jerusalem.
Jewish Studies sponsors diverse cultural events throughout the academic year, including lectures, films, and concerts.
Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is commemorated each year with a special program of music.
Jewish Studies has joined the celebration of Black History Month in presentations and panel discussions by faculty, staff, and students about the complex and too often strained relations between African-American and Jewish communities in America. It also has participated in Womens History Month and has presented an annual Jewish Studies Lecture Series. The anniversary of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) has also been commemorated.
117 Madison Street
Cortland, NY 13045
This synagogue serves SUNY
Cortland and the Cortland community. It is only a ten-minute walk from
campus, at the corner of Madison and Hamlin Streets. Friday evening services
and a Saturday morning service on the first Saturday of each month are
held regularly. Services for special holidays are also celebrated. Students
from the college are welcome and encouraged to join in all activities.
Jewish students have often served as teachers in the synagogue's Sunday
and Hebrew school. Many Jewish faculty members serve on the Board of Trustees
of Temple Brith Sholom.