[[ I had a long talk with my dear friend and colleague Gail Hamner, who is an all-around Marx–Peirce–Foucault–Deleuze–Film–Science–Christian-Studies maven. With her help, I finally came up with a multi-part pitch for Judaic Studies, meant to appeal to undergraduates at Syracuse University. I think it presents the field at its best, as non-parochial, cosmopolitan, and integrated into and across the University curriculum. Thanks to Gail and to all of you here at JPP and at FB for all the help. Let me know what you think, one way or the other. ]]
–Let me suggest to you WHY you might want to consider more course work, a minor, or major in Judaic Studies at SU.
–You are students at A UNIVERSITY, not a trade school and not a technical college. One of the things you are going to need in the world, both on the market and off the market, is cultural capital combined with the ability to think out of and across multiple perspectives. That’s why, in today’s university and market environment, almost all of you are either double majoring or thinking about double majoring.
–Any HUMANITIES degree will train you in the art of close reading, analytic writing, and critical thinking that will prepare you for life after graduation.
—JUDAIC STUDIES is an interdisciplinary program representing a hub field in the study of human culture. The Jewish experience is international. You can follow the Jews and their culture from ancient Israel, Greco-Roman empires, Babylonia, Arab and Islamic worlds, Europe, and back to Israel and America. A course or program of study in Judaic Studies allows you to explore world history, literature, politics, art & architecture, religion, society, and thought. Judaic Studies provides a critical supplement to almost any and every area of University study, be it in Arts & Science, Maxwell, Newhouse, Whitman, Architecture, or Visual and Performing Arts.
[[ For a less verbal presentation we are also at: www.jsp.syr.edu and at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Judaic-Studies-Program-at-Syracuse-University/153929314666497 ]]
