2017-18 Course Catalogue 1299 Church Road Wyncote, PA 19095 Phone: 215.576.0800 Fax: 215.576.6143 www.RRC.edu Catalogue 2017-18 for RRC I. THE RECONSTRUCTIONIST RABBINICAL COLLEGE ................................................................................................... 3 Mission and Vision Statements ................................................................................................................................................ 3 RRC: Our Academic Philosophy and Program ........................................................................................................................ 4 The Reconstructionist Movement: Intellectual Origins ........................................................................................................... 6 II. RRC FACULTY ..................................................................................................................................................................... 7 III. DEGREE PROGRAMS AND ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................................... 9 Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters and Title of Rabbi .............................................................................................................. 9 Master of Arts in Jewish Studies ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Doctor of Hebrew Letters ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 Joint Degree and Certificate Programs and Academic Partnerships ...................................................................................... 15 Non-Matriculated Students .................................................................................................................................................... 16 IV. RABBINICAL PROGRAM OF STUDY ............................................................................................................................ 18 Summary of the Curriculum .................................................................................................................................................. 18 The Core Program .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Requirements for Graduation ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Program of Study ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Program Offerings ................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Mekhinah Year Program ........................................................................................................................................................ 24 Foundation Years Program .................................................................................................................................................... 25 Civilizational Core Sequence ............................................................................................................................................ 25 Foundation Texts Sequence .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Hebrew Language ............................................................................................................................................................. 28 Practical Rabbinics, Professional and Personal Formation ............................................................................................... 28 Integration Years Program ..................................................................................................................................................... 31 Multifaith and Social-Justice Courses ............................................................................................................................... 42 Practical Rabbinics and Professional Formation ............................................................................................................... 45 Professional Formation Workshops .................................................................................................................................. 49 Hebrew Courses ................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Curricular Highlights ............................................................................................................................................................. 52 Bet Midrash ....................................................................................................................................................................... 52 Field Experience ............................................................................................................................................................... 52 Guest Speakers and Community Limmud (Learning) ...................................................................................................... 53 Jewish Spiritual Direction ................................................................................................................................................. 53 The Reconstructionist Student Association ....................................................................................................................... 54 Funded Fellowships and Internships ...................................................................................................................................... 54 V. FACILITIES, SURROUNDINGS AND STUDENT RESOURCES ................................................................................... 56 Campus Facilities ................................................................................................................................................................... 56 Campus Surroundings ............................................................................................................................................................ 57 Directions to RRC .................................................................................................................................................................. 58 Grading System ..................................................................................................................................................................... 59 Attendance Policy .................................................................................................................................................................. 63 Student Resources .................................................................................................................................................................. 63 VI. TUITION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE .................................................................................................................... 64 Tuition Policies ...................................................................................................................................................................... 64 Financial Assistance .............................................................................................................................................................. 64 Financial-Aid Award Deadlines ............................................................................................................................................ 64 Decision-Making for Need-Based Scholarships .................................................................................................................... 65 Merit-Based Scholarships for Incoming Students .................................................................................................................. 65 Additional Scholarships ......................................................................................................................................................... 66 Need- and Merit-Based Scholarships ..................................................................................................................................... 68 Tuition Refunds ..................................................................................................................................................................... 69 VII. PROGRAM CENTERS ..................................................................................................................................................... 70 The Center for Jewish Ethics ................................................................................................................................................. 70 Kolot: The Center for Jewish Women’s and Gender Studies ................................................................................................ 70 VIII. GRADUATION AND EMPLOYMENT DATA .............................................................................................................. 71 VIII. 2017-18