jewish culture and religion have flourished in a rich variety of forms and in remarkably disparate places on the globe for thousands of years. jewish contributions have deeply affected the art, language and literature, law, philosophy, and political thought, and the sciences of all nations. the global impact of jewish culture thus warrants its study as an important component of the liberal arts curriculum at ku. the jewish studies program at ku is the only such program in the state of kansas. its mission, therefore, is to celebrate in the us heartland the jewish experience and promote the understanding of its cultural importance with courses and academic programs that focus on the history, diversity, culture,  languages, thought, and practices of the jewish people and their religion. 

the bachelor of arts in jewish studies will prepare students for graduate study in general areas such as religious studies, history and political science, and in more specific programs in theological, rabbinical and cantorial schools. students will also be prepared to enter jewish-focused centers of higher education such as the spertus institute for jewish learning and leadership in chicago.