What is Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies?

Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies (“JINES”) is an interdisciplinary program whose purpose is to explore the historical experience, literary, religious, and cultural expression, and political and material life of the Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern civilizations.

Our program is unique in the United States because it integrates Islamic studies and Jewish studies. Whether you favor the study of language, literature, religion, history, or politics, you will find in our courses a way to deepen your appreciation of these complex and diverse societies and cultures. You will also be encouraged to explore the interaction of Jews and Muslims with neighboring societies and cultures in the Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and other parts of the world.

Our majors and minors have gone on to do many things after graduation. Many have entered professional schools in such fields as law, journalism, education, the rabbinate or ministry, government, and communal or social work. Others have gone on to do graduate work in either Jewish or Islamic studies or in related disciplines. Still others have combined their interest in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies with careers in business, medicine, or scientific research. All have found the major to have been an intellectually and emotionally rewarding experience and an important component of their overall development.

The goals of the program are:

• To convey an appreciation for the complexities, depth, diversity, and cultural richness of Jewish and Islamic civilizations in their historical context from antiquity to present.
• To explore the interaction of Jewish, Islamic and other Near Eastern societies and cultures with neighboring peoples both within and outside the Middle East.
• To encourage mastery of the primary languages and literatures in which Jews and Muslims have expressed their cultures.
• To prepare students for graduate or professional studies in these or related fields.

Majoring in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies

Students will select one of three tracks and fulfill the following course requirements:

• For Jewish and Near Eastern Studies
• two years of Hebrew language
• 24 units at the 300-level or above, of which 3 must be in the Islamic experience
• For Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
• two years of Arabic language (Persian, with permission)
• 24 units at the 300-level or above, of which 3 must be in the Jewish experience
• For Comparative Jewish and Islamic Studies
• two years of one language in one tradition and one year of language in the other tradition
• 24 units at the 300-level or above, of which a minimum of 9 unites must be in the Jewish experience and a minimum of 9 unites must be in the Islamic experience
• For all majors
• Introduction to Jewish Civilization and Introduction to Islamic Civilization.
• a combined capstone course/senior seminar
• students are strongly encouraged to take at least one course in history, one in literature or cultural studies, and one in religious studies

Minor in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
Students wishing to minor in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies must complete 15 units in at least five courses, one of which must be Introduction to Jewish Civilization or Islamic Civilization. For further details about the minor, see the Undergraduate Programs booklet, or visit our website.

The Joint A.B.-A.M. (Master of Arts Degree Program)
Exceptionally qualified students may be eligible for admission to the four-year joint A.B.-A.M. program in JINES after they have completed 9 or more units of 300-level work with high attainment. For further details about the joint A.B.-A.M. program, please see A Guide to Programs in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies or visit our website.

Senior Honors
Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies majors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher after six semesters are eligible to apply for candidacy for departmental senior honors. Once they receive departmental approval, candidates must satisfactorily complete a senior honor’s thesis in order to be recommended to the College for honors.

Study Abroad
Students majoring in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies are encouraged to participate in the Washington University Study Abroad program. The University currently sponsors a pre-approved program of study at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the American University in Cairo, and the University of Haifa. Study abroad options also exist for Beer-Sheba, Tel Aviv, Prague, and Beirut.

Lectures and Seminars
Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies sponsors the annual Adam Cherrick Lecture in Jewish Studies as well as other seminars and lectures by both visiting scholars and members of the Washington University faculty. Look for announcements of these events and be sure to attend.

Library Resources
The Washington University library possesses a Judaica collection of approximately 40,000 volumes in all areas of Jewish Studies, with special emphasis on Bible, rabbinics, Jewish history, and Jewish journals of the 19th century in all languages.

The library also possesses the only specialized collection for Islamic and Near Eastern Studies in the state of Missouri. The Islamic and Near Eastern collection contains more than 100,000 volumes in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Western languages and 90 periodicals.

For more detailed information contact:

Department of Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies
Washington University
Campus Box 1121
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
Phone: (314) 935-8567
Fax: (314) 935-7462
Email: jines@artsci.wustl.edu
Website: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~jines