Judaic Studies (JSTD)
Contact: Professor Stacy Beckwith, Director of Judaic Studies
What is it? What topics are explored?
Judaic Studies at Carleton provides students with the opportunity to explore aspects of Jewish civilization in its historical and contemporary manifestations from the perspectives of a variety of modern disciplines. Judaic Studies examines Jewish history, thought, literature and social life as dimensions of the unique experience of the Jewish people within humanity’s diverse cultural endeavors.
Can I major in it?
Students may petition for a special major in Judaic Studies, or take a concentrated program within a major in Religion. Judaic Studies courses are offered on a regular basis by the Religion Department and the Department of Middle Eastern Languages, and pertinent courses are periodically offered in other departments as well.
How to get started
Look through the courses with a Judaic focus or relevance to Jewish Studies on our Judaic Studies web page. These include courses primarily in the Religion and Middle Eastern Languages departments, but also in History, Cinema and Media Studies, and occasionally in some other language departments.
Off Campus Studies
Every year the Jonathan Paradise Israel Experience Fund provides up to three scholarships that can help students study in university or learning institute programs in Israel for an academic term or during the summer. Students may also volunteer or intern in Israel within pre-arranged structured programs or positions.
This year out informational session will be held on Tuesday, October 4th at 8:00 pm in LDC 260, when we will also hear from our three Paradise scholarship recipients who were studying in Israel in July and August 2023. Students interested in applying should then browse our growing list of opportunities for studying, volunteering, or interning in Israel that may meet their interests. Past recipients have been engaged in studying Middle East history and politics, improving their Hebrew or Arabic while living in a predominantly Israeli environment, researching in the Yad Vashem, National Holocaust Memorial and Museum archives, assisting in the art department at the Israel Museum, and volunteering with underprivileged youth.
Students should also talk with Professor Beckwith about experiencing daily life in Israel with the support of a Paradise fellowship. Applications are due toward the end of winter term and successful applicants may then finalize their plans for their time in Israel.