Other courses may also at times fall into one of these four areas. The specific courses selected for a minor must be approved in advance through consultation with a departmental advisor, the purpose of which is to develop a coherent program suited to the individual student's vocational and personal objectives. The interdisciplinary Jewish Studies Minor gives students a basic grounding in the history, literature, thought and primary language of Jewish civilization. The minor prepares students for future graduate work and for a critical appreciation of Jewish civilization. In conjunction with a major in Political Science or History, it also prepares the students for future work in such fields as Middle Eastern studies and Jewish history.
Required courses are flexible in order to tailor the minor to the student's needs.
In addition to seminars drawing upon the special resources available in Washington, there are hundreds of internship possibilities in government, social service agencies, religious groups, medicine, public interest organizations, business, and the arts. The study of religion at Muhlenberg College had its start with the College itself, which was founded as Allentown Seminary in 1848. College requirements for those first students included Christian Morals, Bible History and the study of Biblical Antiquities. When the Seminary became Muhlenberg College in 1867, the tradition of Bible Studies was continued, and a Department of Bible and Religion was in place by 1882. In those early years, the study of religion meant what was called a scientific study of Christianity and its practice.