Academics

Your academic journey at List College begins with two courses designed specifically for List College first-year students: the first-year seminar and List College 101.

First-year seminars are limited to 15 students each and allow the opportunity to study with a leading JTS faculty member. Exploring topics as diverse as holiness and Jewish responses to catastrophe, first-year seminars:

  • acculturate students to studies at JTS, reflecting the combination of intellectual rigor with an appreciation for Jewish culture, history, and thought;
  • make explicit the questions, benefits, and limitations of particular disciplinary lenses;
  • model methods of study that are academically sophisticated and that may foster students' exploration of identity and personal meaning; and
  • help strengthen students' critical thinking, oral expression, and writing skills.

List 101 brings the entire first-year class together once a week, providing the opportunity to interact and form an academic and social community with fellow students and our renowned faculty and administration.

List 101 topics include:

  • Campus resources
  • Conservative Judaism
  • Pluralism
  • Faith and spirituality
  • Academic integrity
  • College survival skills
  • Community service
  • Health and wellness

Hear from Alex Katz (LC '11) on his experiences in List 101.

For complete descriptions of List College curriculum, policies, procedures, and academic prizes, see the JTS Academic Bulletin. For an overview, see below:

List College Core CurriculumList College students lobby Congress

The List College core curriculum will give you an overview of the major content areas necessary for a general Judaic studies education.

Students entering the program with significant previous formal Jewish education may fulfill core requirements with more advanced courses, and a full complement of introductory courses is available for students without as much previous experience. Your List College academic adviser will help you determine which courses and levels are appropriate for you.

View the List College core requirements.

See a list of potential majors at List College.

Sample First-Year Schedule

Since every student is unique, you should consult with your adviser before making your personal course selection, but you may want to view a sample first-year schedule.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can be a wonderful aspect of your undergraduate education, and we encourage List College students to take advantage of the opportunity to explore a different culture and university environment.

A large number of students choose to study abroad for a semester or year during their sophomore or junior year in college. As you begin to think about and plan your time away from List, you should be in close contact with your advisers.

The List College Study Abroad Guide provides general guidelines, important information, and a timeline to help you study abroad.

Deferring Students

Some students choose to study abroad for a year between graduating from high school and beginning college. View a guide for deferring students.

Faculty

One wonderful feature of the List College experience is the opportunity to study with the world-class JTS faculty.

Academics at Barnard College

Academics at the Columbia University School of General Studies

Questions About Academics?

Contact your adviser:

Phone: (212) 678-8826
Fax: (212) 280-6022