Jewish civilization has a recorded history of 4,000 years. With texts spanning from the Hebrew Scriptures to post-modern writing, Jewish literature can be found in many languages. While located in many civilizations, Jews have been most intimately involved with those of the West and the Middle East. Studying Jews and Judaism in these contexts provides students with insight into the complexities of culture and identity. A minor in Jewish studies well complements many majors in the humanities and enhances concentrations in the sciences.
Public lectures, special programs, and visiting scholars enhance Jewish studies courses and provide opportunities for the entire campus and community. To discuss your needs and interests, please contact the Director of the Jewish Studies Program.
Requirements for Jewish Studies Minor
To complete a minor in Jewish Studies students must complete 30.0 units over their time at Queen's. 6.0 credits of these must be in Hebrew.
There are awards and funding opportunities available to Jewish Studies Minors. Please contact the director for more details.
You have many options for the 6.0 credits in Hebrew:
Note: Find out what Hebrew courses are offered for the current academic year.
For the 24.0 non-language courses, please see the Jewish Studies Course List.
Note: Not all courses are offered every year, please see our current course offerings page for what is currently available.
Jewish Studies Course List:
Classics Options:
- CLST 208/3.0 The Levant from the Late Bronze Age to the Coming of Rome
Gender Studies Options:
- GNDS 365/3.0 Gender Dialogues: Jewish, Muslim and Christian
History Options:
- HIST 220/3.0 Jews on Film
- HIST 221/3.0 Jewish and World Civilizations (until 1492)
- HIST 222/3.0 Jewish and World Civilizations (since 1492)
- HIST 244/3.0 Topics in History: Antisemitism in Historical Context
- HIST 294/3.0 Arab-Israeli Conflict and Regional Security
- HIST 295/3.0 The Holocaust
- HIST 306/6.0 Holocaust: Problems and Interpretations
- HIST 339/4.5 Jews Without Judaism
- HIST 344/4.5 Insiders/ Outsiders: Jewish Identity in the New World
- HIST 400/3.0 Topics in History: Russian Jewish Encounter in Imperial Russia
Jewish Studies Options:
- JWST 301/3.0 Topics in Jewish Studies I
- JWST 302/3.0 Topics in Jewish Studies II
- JWST 501/3.0 Directed Reading in Jewish Studies I
- JWST 502/3.0 Directed Reading in Jewish Studies II
Philosophy Options:
- PHIL 367/3.0 Jewish Philosophy
- PHIL 441/3.0 20th Century Philosophy
Religious Studies Options:
- RELS 209/3.0 Radical Jews
- RELS 210/3.0 Hebrew Bible
- RELS 228/3.0 Sages, Scholars and Rabbis
- RELS 234/3.0 Judaism
- RELS 284/3.0 God and the Holocaust
- RELS 334/3.0 Jewish Views of the Other
- RELS 398/6.0 Judaism in the Modern Age
Hebrew Options:
- HEBR 190/6.0 Introduction to Modern Hebrew
- HEBR 192/3.0 Introductory Biblical Hebrew
- HEBR 193/3.0 Classical Hebrew Fundamentals
- HEBR 292/3.0 Intermediate Biblical Hebrew
- HEBR 294/3.0 Intermediate Modern Hebrew l
- HEBR 295/3.0 Intermediate Modern Hebrew ll
- HEBR 301/3.0 Special Topics in Hebrew
- HEBR 393/3.0 Reading Modern Hebrew Literature
For course descriptions of the above courses please visit the Courses of Instruction document. (PDF, 5.1MB)
Email: jewish.studies@queensu.ca - if you have any questions (please include your student number).
Prizes in Jewish Studies
Alfred Bader Prize in Jewish Studies
Established in October 1982 by Alfred R. Bader, Science 1945, Ph.D. (Harvard), and awarded on the basis of academic distinction in a Jewish Studies cognate course. Selection will be made by the Faculty of Arts and Science Awards Committee on the recommendation of the Director of the Jewish Studies Program.
Naim S. Mahlab Scholarship in Jewish Studies
Established in April 2006 by Naim S. Mahlab, B.Com. 1949, and awarded on the basis of academic excellence to students entering the third or fourth year of a Jewish Studies degree program who have the highest grades in Jewish Studies courses and cognate courses as determined by the department. At the discretion of the department students entering second year may be considered.
Prizes in Hebrew Studies
Harry Abramsky Prize in Hebrew
Awarded annually to the student who obtains the highest standing in HEBR 191.
Mary Fraser McLennan Prize in Hebrew
Founded by her sons in memory of Mary Fraser McLennan, of Lancaster. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence in classical Hebrew. Selection will be made by the Faculty of Arts and Science Awards Committee on the recommendation of the Director of the Jewish Studies Program.
Bursaries
Robert Bater Award in Jewish Studies
Established by Regina and Irving Rosen and friends and family of Robert Bater, for many years a distinguished professor, Head of the Department of Religion and Principal of Queen's Theological College, and awarded on the basis of financial need and academic merit to 1) a student concentrating in Jewish Studies, or 2) a student who is enrolled in at least one course in Jewish Studies.
Regina Rosen Award
Established in April 2006 by Irving Rosen to honour his wife, Regina Rosen, B.A. 1980, and awarded on the basis of financial need and academic achievement to a student pursuing a concentration in Jewish Studies.
Queen’s accepts credits from all Israeli universities. For policies for study abroad Students must consult with the International Programs Office, their major department, and the office of the Dean of Studies. The Director of the Jewish Studies Program is available to discuss the different programs, course offerings, extra-curricular activities, including internships, as well as funding opportunities.
- Rothberg International School—Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Tel Aviv University
- University of Haifa International School
- Bar-Ilan University
- Weizmann Institute of Science
- Technion Israel Institute of Technology
- Ben Gurion University