The Hebrew University in Jerusalem has decided to broaden its students’ horizons by adding a series of interdisciplinary classes to their coursework starting next year. The move may fundamentally change the nature of the Israeli BA.
Traditionally, Israeli universites offer three-year BA programs which focus exclusively on degree-specific coursework. The model that the Hebrew University is proposing is similar to that in American colleges, where students learn a variety of courses alongside their specific major.
“The additional skills and knowledge students will gain in this program will give them an edge and help them contribute more to society and culture,” University Rector Sarah Staromzah said.
The pilot program, named Cornerstones, starts in the 2009-2010 academic year. Students will be asked to take courses outside their specialty from a list of over 40 classes.
Tentative course titles include “Jewish Comparative Mysticism,” “Man and His World: An Introduction to Religious Literature,” “Rocks Speak: The Globe and Us,” and “The Magic of Biology.”
Deputy Rector at the University, Oded Navon, explained that the eventual goal of the program is to have students take 10 percent of the courses in their degree outside their field of specialty.
“When we first announced the program some students were opposed,” Navon also said. “But after we showed them the courses being offered most of the students wanted to see how they could fit them into their schedules.”
Hebrew University spokewoman, Orit Sulitziano, added that the program will help set the University apart from smaller colleges (Hebrew: michlalot) which have become more prevalent over the years and specialize in specific fields such as law or engineering.
“This program will help define better the advantages of a University,” Sulitziano explained. “Students will be asked to put more into their degrees, but they will also gain more.”