About
The Jewish Studies program at Kean University is designed to stimulate inquiry into the Jewish cultural interaction with the larger world. This emphasis is a unique approach in higher education, and encourages cross-cultural understanding based on an appreciation of one of our civilization’s fundamental and seminal cultures. The program takes advantage of the university’s proximity to New York City’s metropolitan museums, foundations, libraries, and human rights organizations.
Jewish Studies organizes timely public events each month during the academic year. Among these events are programs featuring nationally recognized scholars and critics-at-large constituting its Annual Jewish Studies Lecture/Artists Series. Jewish Studies also sponsors or cosponsors faculty lectures in the community as well as national and international conferences.
Important to its mission is the program’s collaboration with other Jewish academic and cultural programs on and off campus. It promotes study in Israel and Europe through the university’s Study Abroad program, as well as study in Washington, DC, through its Washington Program; maintains agreements with nearby Elizabeth’s Jewish Educational Center and with Hillel’s Soref Initiative for Emerging Campuses; and supports the Jewish community’s Birthright Israel program.
Jewish Studies is closely tied to the university’s Holocaust Resource Center, Jewish Culture Club (a student-led organization), Jewish Faculty and Staff Association, and the Master of Arts degree program in Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
Jewish Studies Minor
Twenty-six resident faculty members, representing 12 disciplines, offer 13 core courses and 14 electives for undergraduates and six courses for graduate students. Courses for this program can be used toward fulfilling requirements for the major and for graduation. More information on the minor can be found here.
For a complete list of course descriptions and degree requirements, click here.
Upcoming Events
Info session for the Master of Arts in Holocaust & Genocide Studies (Tuesday, 24 October 2017)
- 12:30 pm in Townsend Hall 117
- 7:30 pm in Townsend Hall 111
Can Genocide Be Prevented? Two Views from Activists from Serbia and Uganda (18 October 2017) >>more info
- 2 pm, Human Rights Institute
