I designed a student survey for the major in Modern Jewish Studies and the minor in Jewish Studies as part of the “portfolio review” at Syracuse University. What are the impediments that weigh against a student declaring a major or minor sponsored by the Jewish Studies Program? Are students interested in our classes and what do they take from them? Are students even aware that there is a major or minor offered by the Jewish Studies Program? Are they even aware that there is a Jewish Studies Program at Syracuse (most of our students sign up for our classes through larger departments like Religion or History)? I am attaching the survey below + a large pdf containing response from students enrolled in a large Introduction to Judaism and in an introduction to Great Jewish Writers.
The survey results indicate genuine interest on the part of many, perhaps even most of the students who enroll in our classes. Classes in Jewish Studies (cross listed between Jewish Studies and larger home departments) enjoy robust enrollments. Students are very interested in the content on offer. A great many of them express what I trust is genuine enthusiasm. I believe many students understand the qualitative distinction that differentiates our courses from the larger, anonymous professional programs of study. But attempts to attract majors and minors in the Jewish Studies Program (and across the Humanities) face harsh headwinds that are beyond the control of our faculty. These impediments are personal and structural.
[1] The Jewish Studies Program and major and minor are effectively invisible. Students (as well as faculty colleagues, administrators, and advising officers) don’t know the Jewish Studies Program, major, and minor even exist. Because they signed up for class through a larger departmental body, the great many of the students in our survey are finding out that there is a Jewish Studies Program for the first time from the instructors pitching it to them.
[2] Most of the Jewish students seem to like learning about “their religion.” Non-Jewish students like the material and are learning a lot. Students are actually interested in religion and in Jewish thought.
[3] Students might like our classes, but are not interested in pursuing the minor or major.
[4] Students do not see how a program in Jewish Studies fits into a larger career path. I would imagine this is true across the Humanities.
[5] Students have no time to consider a double major or minor in Jewish Studies. Onerous degree requirements in the larger programs lock their students in place, leaving them no time to explore other areas of possible interest. I imagine this is also true across the Humanities.
