The College of Liberal Arts is proud to announce the introduction of UNLV’s first Jewish Studies courses in the 2026-2027 undergraduate catalog. These courses will carry the prefix JSTU and will be part of the Religious Studies minor. Each of the new courses will be at the introductory level and may fulfill general education requirements.

The first course scheduled for fall 2026 is Introduction to the History of the Jewish People, which will be cataloged as History 267 and Jewish Studies 267. The other courses will be Jewish Studies 101: Introduction to Jewish Studies; Jewish Studies 203: Jewish Textual Traditions (tentatively scheduled for spring 2027) and Jewish Studies 205: Jewish Identities in American Society. A formal launch will take place in late spring 2026.

Comparable to other ethnic studies programs, and based within the Religious Studies minor, Jewish Studies at UNLV emphasizes both particular and comparative perspectives, encouraging students to understand Jewish experiences while also considering them within broader frameworks of minority experience, religious diversity, immigration, and cultural adaptation. Developed in coordination with the vibrant network of community organizations involved in Jewish education and Jewish life in southern Nevada, the program bridges UNLV's academic and research mission as a Top Tier research institution with the specific cultural context of the Las Vegas region.

These courses will equip students with critical thinking skills and cultural literacy essential for understanding contemporary global society. The courses will also prepare students for careers in education, public service, cultural institutions, interfaith work, and various professional fields where cultural competency and historical understanding are valued.

An interdisciplinary committee of faculty from History; English; Interdisciplinary, Gender, and Ethnic Studies; Philosophy; and Sociology will serve as the steering committee. Informal colloquia of speakers and discussions will be held occasionally starting Feb. 12 when the history department will host a talk by a visiting scholar from the University of Lodz (Poland).

For more information or to join the mailing list for the colloquium series, please email jewish.inclusion@unlv.edu.