Undergraduate Men 1999-2000

James Striar School of
General Jewish Studies

 

Admission| Attendance| Course Levels| Degree Requirements|
 Introduction| School Regulations| Student Advisement

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Introduction

James Striar School of General Jewish Studies provides a comprehensive program in Hebrew language, literature, culture and history, in Bible and Talmud, and in the history and philosophy of Judaism for men attending Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School of Business who enter with diverse backgrounds and degrees of knowledge in Jewish studies. Students progress from basic to more advanced materials in systematic stages.

The School was established in 1956 as the Jewish Studies Program and renamed in 1965 to honor the benefaction of the Striar family in memory of their father, James Striar.

The quality of the School's courses attracts many young men seeking self-improvement and enriched background in Hebraic studies. The program provides a good preparation for students wishing subsequently to pursue professional and scholarly careers in fields requiring a thorough liberal arts background with special emphasis on Hebrew and Jewish studies. (Students in James Striar School may simultaneously pursue any major at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School.)

Students who complete the requirements listed below receive the Associate in Arts degree with a major in Hebrew language, literature, and culture.

The School's location at the Main Campus affords stimulating association with several of the University's other undergraduate schools, as well as graduate schools and affiliates, and provides easy accessibility to the major resources of the institution.

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Admission

Admission regulations pertaining to James Striar School alone are given here; also see those uniformly applicable to all undergraduate schools

Admission to James Striar School requires of every applicant an interview with the Dean of the School. This provides an opportunity to evaluate the applicant's background in Jewish studies and to discuss fully the nature of the School and its suitability for him. Where distance or other circumstances make it a hardship for the student to come to New York, special arrangements will be made.

First-year courses presuppose the student's ability to read vocalized Hebrew text and to write the Hebrew alphabet in cursive script.

Attendance at Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School is required unless the student already holds a bachelor's degree.

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Curriculum
Associate in Arts

Degree Requirements

A. Distribution of required courses:

Courses

 

Bible

6

Hebrew Language

4

Jewish History

2

Judaic Studies

4

Talmud

6

Additional Courses in the Above Areas

4

B. Residence requirement: The prior or simultaneous receipt of a BA or BS degree from Yeshiva College or Sy Syms School. Completion of at least six semesters in residence at James Striar School taking a full program each semester.

C. Grade requirement: A cumulative average of 2.0 in all Jewish Studies courses.

D. Administrative requirements:

  1. Approbation of the faculty and the President.

  2. Filing of an Application for Degree during the registration period of the semester in which the student completes all requirements.

Student Advisement

Student advisement plays an important role in the James Striar course of study. Each student is required to meet with an advisor prior to registration. In addition, full-time advisors are available to meet with students to discuss program and personal issues. One-on-one tutoring by senior Rabbinic students is provided on an ongoing basis throughout the term.

School Regulations

Regulations pertaining to James Striar School alone are given here; those uniformly applicable to all undergraduate schools are given in the section University Regulations.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all their scheduled class sessions and be present promptly at the beginning of the hour, unless prevented from doing so by illness or other compelling cause.

A record of each student's attendance in each class is kept, and his attendance record may be taken into account whenever there is occasion to determine his status in the University.

Course Levels

James Striar School courses provide three levels of study to accommodate students who enter with varying amounts of knowledge. Subject matter and texts are generally the same or similar at all levels; the difference is in the amount of material, hours, pace, and level of instruction.

The three levels are: B (Beginners), for students entering with a minimal background; I (Intermediate), for students with limited background in Hebrew language, Bible, and Rashi texts; and A (Advanced), for students with more extensive background. The Y class is a special class offered in the junior year for students who undertake an intensive program in Talmud in preparation for advanced study in this field.

Students are placed on the basis of an examination. A student may, with the written approval of the Dean, transfer to a higher or lower level. The aim in all textual courses is to train the student in the progressive mastery of the text and to prepare him for independent study of original sources.

 

Last Updated 07/23/2002 © Yeshiva University