Skip to product information
1 of 1

The Patern of Growth of Jewish Learning

Regular price $3.00
Regular price Sale price $3.00
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Jewish studies courses in American universities multiplied ninety-fold between 1923-1968, far outpacing general higher education growth and following patterns typical of emerging academic disciplines. Analysis of 125 American colleges and universities, including detailed examination of 25 institutions offering five or more Judaica courses, revealed a characteristic "S" curve development across 45 years. The research tracked enrollment data through 15 time periods using college catalog analysis, while acknowledging potential discrepancies between listed and actual course offerings. Hebrew language enrollments demonstrated particularly dramatic expansion, quadrupling between 1960-1970 compared to a 2.4-fold increase in total college enrollments. Contrary to expectations, this substantial growth appears driven by internal university dynamics rather than external factors such as Jewish communal pressures or responses to pivotal events like the Holocaust or Israeli statehood. A notable acceleration in course offerings between 1965-1968 may reflect the period's ethnic consciousness revival, increased university responsiveness to student demands, or heightened Jewish awareness following the 1967 Six Day War. The expansion of Jewish learning ultimately represents a natural evolution within American higher education, mirroring broader patterns of academic discipline development rather than exceptional circumstances.

View full details
  • Physical Description

  • Publication Information

    Published

    ISBN

  • Publication Credits

    Paul Ritterband