NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A master’s degree in Jewish Studies can now be earned at Vanderbilt Divinity School as part of the quickly expanding program directed by Jack M. Sasson.
The Jewish Studies undergraduate program was launched during the fall semester of 2003 and has already attracted two students as majors and one minor.
Sasson, the Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible at Vanderbilt Divinity School, says the graduate program was designed with two separate degree opportunities to appeal both to students who wish to go on to doctoral programs, and to members of the community with an interest in the topic.
"The Divinity School has long been sensitive to the notion of Jewish Studies," Sasson said. "But for a long time, the Jewish component was seen as a background to the study of Christianity. Now, we’re bringing this rich field of studies to the foreground."
Sasson notes that the popularity of women’s studies programs has led to recognition for previously neglected female artists and thinkers. In the same way, the study of Judaism at all levels contributes to Vanderbilt’s ongoing drive to strengthen itself by diversifying.
"Academically speaking, the history of Jewish culture is as multifaceted as any other cultural phenomenon that has gone on in the past two millennia," Sasson said. "Judaism and Jews have played a role in diverse aspects of civilization, including the development of the Muslim and Christian faiths. But too often, its contribution has been viewed as tangential."
Sasson emphasizes that Jewish Studies programs will appeal to a wide variety of students.
"Jewish Studies-like rye bread-is not just for Jews," he said. "It really provides you with a fine perspective with which to look at many aspects of life. For anybody who is curious about the many ways to inspect this world, this program will work well."
Sasson expects graduates of the master’s program who do not continue toward a doctorate degree will be well-prepared to work in public education, religious institutions of all faiths, social agencies and other fields.
"No one who cares about literature, music, art-as well as other aspects of culture-can afford to ignore the contributions of Jewish culture and scholarship," he said.
"It’s amazing how nicely Jewish Studies has developed here, not just because it has strong administrative support, but also because faculty and students were just waiting for it to happen," Sasson said. "It is such a rich and ripe field of scholarship that it didn’t take long for it to get off the ground, both on the undergraduate and graduate levels."
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
Jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu