哥伦比亚大学

The program in Yiddish studies offers a track in both the undergraduate major and concentration, in addition to graduate studies leading to the Ph.D. The graduate program is considered one of the world’s most important, with its graduates holding many of the major university positions in the field. In both the undergraduate and graduate program, emphasis is placed not merely on acquiring linguistic proficiency and textual study, but also viewing Yiddish literature in a larger cultural and interdisciplinary context.

Students work with faculty in Germanic languages, Jewish studies, history, and Slavic studies to broaden their understanding of the literature, language, and culture of Eastern European Jewry. Classes are small, and instruction is individualized and carefully directed to ensure that students gain both a thorough general grounding and are able to pursue their own particular interests in a wide-spanning field. The program also offers classes taught in translation for students who do not study Yiddish.

Major Track in Yiddish Studies

First- and second-year Yiddish language courses emphasize spoken and written communication, and provide a basic introduction to Eastern European Jewish culture. Goals include mastery of the structure of the language and enough cultural understanding to interact comfortably with native speakers.

After second-year Yiddish language courses are completed, students should feel sufficiently comfortable to begin to work with Yiddish literature in the original. Upper-level undergraduate/graduate courses are designed to accommodate students with a range of Yiddish language experience, and intensive language summer study is also encouraged for improvement in language acquisition and comprehension.

The goal is to provide students with reasonable proficiency in reading a variety of literary, philosophical, and historical texts in the original and, through this training, to provide them with a critical understanding of Yiddish-speaking culture and society. Students should plan their program of study with the director of undergraduate studies as early as possible.

The major track in Yiddish studies requires a minimum of 30 points, distributed as follows:

• At least three courses of intermediate/advanced language study;
• Two courses in Yiddish literature, at least one of which is not taught in translation;
• One course in the senior seminar or independent study;
• Four related courses, at least one of which is in medieval or modern Jewish history.

A senior thesis is required for the track in Yiddish studies. Students interested in a senior thesis or research project may do so through independent study with a faculty member over one or two semesters.

Concentration Track in Yiddish Studies

The concentration track in Yiddish studies requires a minimum of 24 points, distributed as follows:

• At least three courses of beginning/intermediate language study
• Two courses in Yiddish literature
• Three related courses, at least one of which is in medieval or modern Jewish history