Jewish and Asian-American Studies?

If the Judaic and Near Eastern Studies department has its way, it won't exist for much longer. The department has proposed a series of radical revisions to its programs, including becoming a purely Jewish Studies department.

Jewish Studies is a staple at many colleges and universities. Judaic and Near Eastern Studies isn't. The bizarre twinning of the two disciplines is the result of a tangled history that can be traced back to a faculty member who had expertise in both areas. Although it is perhaps an admirable goal, joining Jews and Arabs is something even Jimmy Carter can't do. It is hard to imagine that one-and-two-thirds faculty members have successfully imparted the histories, philosophies and religions of two disparate and warring cultures.

The motion to adopt the new name of Jewish Studies isn't unexpected. The department has long operated as though it was a Jewish Studies department. It has historically disregarded Near Eastern Studies in favor of Jewish Studies, leaving few students to protest the exclusion of Near Eastern Studies from Oberlin's formal list of majors. The department is correct to concentrate on its strength. Jewish Studies is an enormous field, and it deserves to be given singular attention by the department. It does not deserve, however, to be one of the few ethnic studies department given attention by the College.

Jewish Studies is essentially a return to traditional education. Although core curriculums of Western classics have generally disappeared, the ideology that underlies the Great Books curriculum is kept alive in interdisciplinary studies. The idea that history, philosophy and literature should be integrated in a single course of study is an entirely sensible idea that ought to outlast the embrace of dead white males.

Oberlin should demonstrate its support for this sort of learning by supporting the development of departments such as Asian-American Studies. Although Jewish Studies should not be penalized for its successes, Asian-American Studies certainly has a claim to department status that is at least as valid. The Sociology, History and English departments already employ faculty who could teach courses towards an Asian-American Studies major. Jewish Studies operates with just two-and-two-thirds full time equivalent faculty members. Asian-American Studies has student support which likely surpasses Jewish Studies. Jewish Studies lays claim to only 12 declared majors at Oberlin.

Jewish Studies deserves to be a major. Asian-American Studies deserves to be a major as well.