Ancient Jewish Studies

The program in Ancient Jewish Studies is interdisciplinary, designed to enable students to explore the history and culture of the Jews of antiquity (6th century BCE to 6th century CE). It has three components: gaining competence handling rabbinic texts, studying the political and social history of the Jews of antiquity and the political and social history of the empires that ruled them (Persian, Greek, Roman, Parthian, Sassanian, and early Byzantine), and studying the intellectual and religious history of ancient Judaism and the other religious and intellectual traditions of late antiquity (Persia, Egypt, Hellenistic and Roman empires, Christianity, gnosticism, philosophy, magic, and law). Students are expected to take courses in Bible, history, and rabbinics.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

  • One course (3 credits) HIS 1010: Ancient Jewish History
  • Two courses (6 credits) of an ancient language (e.g., Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic, biblical grammar, Greek)
  • Two courses (6 credits) of ancient Jewish history or literature (other than rabbinic) or in related fields such as classics and Christianity
  • Two courses (6 credits) of Talmud
  • Two courses (6 credits) of Midrash
  • One course (3 credits) senior/capstone seminar

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

COURSES

Students entering the program will be required to take the following courses, or the equivalent, if they have not had the equivalent previously:

  • One Bible course beyond BIB 5011
  • 6 credits of Talmud text 

Students are permitted to register for courses counting toward the degree while fulfilling these prerequisites.

In addition to courses required of all students in the Gershon Kekst Graduate School, 30 graduate credits are required, including one 3-credit survey course in ancient Judaism, one 3-credit ancient history elective, and one 3-credit graduate Talmud course. Other courses will be determined in consultation with the advisor.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION OR THESIS

All students must satisfactorily complete either an examination based on primary and secondary readings or a thesis, to be determined in consultation with the advisor. If the exam is selected, the reading list will be prepared in consultation with the advisor.

Doctor of Hebrew Literature Degree Requirements

COURSES

In addition to courses required of all students in the Gershon Kekst Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA degree are required, including at least 3 credits in an advanced text course in Midrash (7000 level or higher) and 3 credits in an advanced text course in Talmud (7000 level or higher). Students who have not received a master’s degree in Ancient Judaism may be required to complete additional courses as prerequisite work. All course selections will be determined in consultation with the advisor.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students must take an oral or written exam on both the political and social history of the Jews of antiquity and the intellectual and religious history of ancient Judaism. The examination will be divided into two parts: one covering roughly the Persian and Greco-Roman periods, and the second covering the Roman, Iranian, and early Byzantine periods. Reading lists will be prepared in consultation with the advisor.

DISSERTATION

A book-length dissertation that makes a contribution to the study of the Jews and Judaism in antiquity.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements

LANGUAGES

In addition to languages required of all students in the Gershon Kekst Graduate School, students must pass exams in French and German, and either Greek or Syriac.

COURSES

In addition to courses required of all students in the Gershon Kekst Graduate School, at least 30 graduate credits beyond the MA degree are required. Students who have not received a master’s degree in Ancient Jewish Studies or its equivalent may be required to complete additional courses as prerequisite work. All courses will be determined in consultation with the advisor.

COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students must take a written or oral exam covering the entire field of ancient Judaism, in addition to a minor field cognate to ancient Judaism. Reading lists will be prepared in consultation with the advisor.

DISSERTATION

Students must complete a book-length dissertation that makes an important and original contribution to the study of the Jews and Judaism in antiquity.