Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (BALAS) - Jewish Studies Concentration
The Program in Jewish Culture and Society offers a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences (BALAS) with a Jewish Studies Concentration. This concentration provides the student with knowledge of the Hebrew language, the opportunity to begin a study of Yiddish, and a broad appreciation of Jewish religion, culture, and history.
The major needs to be declared with the LAS Student Academic Affairs Office and students are encouraged to work with Eugene Avrutin, the Program in Jewish Culture and Society's undergraduate advisor.
For additional information on the major:
Call: 217-333-7978
Email: jewishculture@illinois.edu,
Walk in: 109 English during the office hours of 8:30-12:00/1:00-5:00
Requirements:
Three (3) hours of JS 199-Undergraduate Open Seminar or an Independent Study experience to be arranged with a Jewish Studies affiliated faculty member
Twenty-six to twenty-nine hours (26-29) in Hebrew and/or Yiddish language courses, including
- HEBR 201 - Elementary Modern Hebrew I
- HEBR 202 - Elementary Modern Hebrew II
- HEBR 403 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew I
- HEBR 404 - Intermediate Modern Hebrew II
- HEBR 405- Advanced Modern Hebrew I or YDSH 101- Beginning Yiddish I
- REL 205- Intensive Biblical Hebrew or HEBR 406-Advanced Modern Hebrew II or YDSH 102- Beginning Yiddish II
Nine (9) hours of courses at the 100 or 200 level, with at least three (3) hours from each of the clusters in Religion, Culture, and History.
Nine (9) hours of courses at the 300 level or above from any of the clusters in Religion, Culture, History, and Language.
Minimum required major and supporting course work equates to forty-seven to fifty (47-50) hours. All substitutions must be approved by the Program in Jewish Culture and Society's undergraduate advisor.
Departmental distinction: To be eligible for graduation with distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.5, completion of HUM 498 with a grade of A, and completion of a semester paper in 498 that is judged to be deserving of "distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.
High Distinction: To be eligible for graduation with high distinction, a student must have a college grade point average of 3.5, a major concentration grade point average of 3.7, and must have completed HUM 492 (instead of HUM 498) with a grade of A and a thesis in 492 that is judged to be deserving of "high distinction" by a committee of at least two faculty members.