BA in Hebrew and Jewish Studies in Columbus United States | Ohio State University

The Hebrew and Jewish Studies program is provided through the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures, featuring coursework in language, cultural studies, literature, and linguistics. This major presents two specialized pathways, enabling students to concentrate either on Hebrew language acquisition or Jewish cultural studies based on their personal academic goals. Hebrew language learners advance from foundational skills toward achieving fluency in both spoken and written forms. After becoming familiar with Hebrew's distinctive script, students systematically learn fundamental speech patterns and grammatical structures. The extensive Hebrew literary tradition is initially examined through English translations, with students progressing to original Hebrew texts as their language proficiency grows. Jewish studies encompasses the examination of Jewish history, languages, philosophical thought, and literary works. The curriculum includes diverse courses across all levels in Hebrew language and literature, related Semitic languages, Yiddish studies, Jewish historical studies, rabbinic texts, and Jewish philosophy, supplemented by occasional offerings in disciplines like English, sociology, and social work.