Judaic Studies

Judaic Studies: Culture, History, Religion, and Languages of Judaism.

The subject of Judaic studies focuses on the languages, history, religion, and culture of Jewish people from their beginnings to the present day. Due to its diverse linguistic, geographical, historical, religious, and social connections, this field encompasses a wide range of academic disciplines (e.g., history, literature studies, philosophy, legal history, art, etc.) and areas of study (such as the Bible and Talmud, as well as, for example, the sociology of diaspora communities).

By combining philological training with a broad foundation in Jewish history and culture, along with in-depth studies in specific focus areas, the Judaic studies program provides the groundwork for a qualified and academically sound engagement with Judaism. This requires knowledge of Hebrew in its various stages, from Biblical Hebrew to modern Hebrew, as well as an understanding of late antique and early medieval rabbinic literature.

The courses offered aim to familiarize students with the trajectory of Jewish history and cultural history, engage with core texts of Jewish tradition, and explore different aspects of Judaism through exemplary topics from various sub-disciplines.

Judaic studies in Frankfurt is distinguished by its focus on the cultural history of European Judaism from the Middle Ages to the modern age.

Additional highlights of the Frankfurt program:

• A wide range of language options related to Judaism, including Yiddish, Judeo-Spanish, and Arabic.
• Opportunities to study Jewish religious philosophy through cooperation with the Martin Buber Professorship, as well as Holocaust history and its impact through collaboration with the Holocaust Professorship and the Fritz Bauer Institute.
• The program design also offers the possibility to spend part of the studies abroad, supported by the extensive international connections of Frankfurt’s instructors with colleagues worldwide.
• The required internship can be completed either at an external institution or as part of a research project within Frankfurt’s Judaic studies program.

The bachelor's program in Judaic studies as a minor includes an introductory module that provides fundamental knowledge about Judaism and its history, as well as the principles of Judaic research. It also features language acquisition modules, source-based modules that develop skills in working with Jewish traditional literature, and modules focused on historical epochs that offer a comprehensive overview of each period. Elective modules provide opportunities to gain additional language skills (e.g., Judeo-Spanish), explore topics such as Jewish religious philosophy or the Holocaust, and participate in a collaborative project or field trip for hands-on, project-based learning.

The specific goals of the bachelor's program include:

• Acquiring language skills for independent engagement with sources in key languages of Judaism (especially Hebrew, Aramaic, and Yiddish)
  Developing methodological competencies to investigate the cultural and historical contexts of the respective sources
  Independent use of academic literature
  Building the ability to communicate the acquired knowledge effectively, both orally and in writing

Independent study requires a significant time commitment and is considered an essential part of the Judaic studies program. It is not only necessary for preparing for and following up on courses and completing assignments but also crucial for gaining a thorough understanding of Jewish cultures and literatures, which cannot be fully covered by the topics and texts addressed in the courses.

You can find more information about the minor in Judaic studies on the subject's page.