University students who are interested in Judaic Studies may be in luck in the near future.
A new interdisciplinary program in Judaic Studies may become a part of the University's offerings if the College administration approves the program in January 2000.
The program originated a few years ago when College Dean Melvyn P. Leffler consolidated faculty interested in the program into one committee. Leffler appointed Religious Studies Prof. Peter W. Ochs to chair the committee.
Ochs said he sees this program as an exciting addition to the University's curriculum.
"There is a great amount of enthusiasm from myself and the other faculty involved in this program," he said. "We already see great interest in the program and we think that at least 10 to 20 students may major in the program each year."
There will be three components to the Judaic Studies program, which may begin classes as early as 2001.
The first element is an interdisciplinary aspect, which will delve into varied topics of history, anthropology, literature, medical humanities and religion. Each topic will be seen with Judaism as the main theme, Ochs said.
The second element of the program is the fundamental topics in Judaic Studies, he said.
He added that these classes would deal with traditional Jewish texts, Hebrew, Jewish history and the sociology of Judaism.
The last element will be to create a program that is unique from other Judaic Studies programs at various colleges and universities, Ochs said.
One of the groundbreaking ideas would deal with having students do field work in viewing Jewish community in the South and, more narrowly, in Virginia, he added.
Ochs said another unique aspect of the University's program would be an emphasis on Jewish literature.
The program would focus on the relationship between suffering and language, and students would not only see how words change from suffering but also how Jews have used language throughout history, he said.
A final unique aspect would be a focus on comparing Judaism to Christianity and Islam, he added.
To deal with such a myriad of topics, an assembly of professors in many fields has been put together to teach in the program. About 12 faculty members now are associated with the program.
When sufficient funding is available, officials plan to increase faculty participation to 16 members.
Alison Booth, a member of the committee, said the challenge of teaching Judaic Studies will be possible at the University and that a bright future is ahead.
"We have a lot of excellent faculty members already involved," Booth said.
"There is growing student interest and we already have a good amount of classes dealing with Judaic Studies at this University," he said.
The program has broad community support, Ochs said.
The vast majority of the funding for the program has come from alumni who see the program as a great addition to the University, he said.
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