The Ph.D. program in Judaic Studies prepares students for academic careers in teaching and research. The program offers three tracks:
- Late Biblical / Post-Biblical Judaism
- Rabbinic-Medieval Judaism
- Contemporary Judaism
Among the fields specifying these tracks are: Archaeology of Roman Palestine; Second Commonwealth Studies; Rabbinic/Talmudic literature; Hellenistic Judaism; and Medieval Jewish History, Philosophy, Mysticism, American Judaism and Zionism.
For more information regarding Judaic Studies programs and activities, visit the Center for Jewish Studies.
Convener: Laura Suzanne Lieber
Major Field Requirements
- Course Work
- 4 courses each semester for a minimum of 2 academic years
- Languages
- Classical language:
- For students focusing in Late Antiquity, demonstration of reading fluency by 2 semesters of advanced course work in New Testament or Classical Greek or Syriac
- For students focusing in the Medieval period, demonstration of reading fluency by 2 semesters of advanced course work in either Latin or Arabic
- For students in Contemporary Judaism, demonstration of reading fluency by 2 semesters of advanced course work or exam in modern Hebrew or Yiddish
- Modern language:
- As demonstrated by exam and course work, reading competency in German and either French or a substitute modern European language
- Classical language:
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training
- 12 hours of RCR training in first 4 years of study
- Preliminary Examinations
- 4 written components: comprehensive, internal minor, external minor, and dissertation area
- For students focusing in Late Antiquity, the Comprehensive Exam will cover the history of Jewish civilization from the Persian Period until the Arab conquest of Palestine
- For students focusing in the Medieval period, the Comprehensive Exam will cover the history of Jewish civilization from the Maccabees until the expulsion from Spain in 1492
- For students focusing in Contemporary Judaism, the Comprehensive Exam will cover the Enlightenment to the present
- 1 oral component that reviews all four of the written exams
- 4 written components: comprehensive, internal minor, external minor, and dissertation area
- Dissertation
Inside Minor Requirements
- 2 courses
- Students are encouraged to select RELIGION 220 or RELIGION 221 as one of these courses
Bernice and Morton Lerner Distinguished Professor in Judaic Studies
History of Judaism
Sean Burrus: "Remembering the Righteous: Sarcophagus Sculpture and Jewish Patrons in the Roman World." 2016. Co-advisors: Eric Meyers, Mary Boatwright
Alan Todd: "Feasts and the Social Order in Early Jewish Society (ca. Third Century B.C.E. - Third Century C.E.)." 2014. Advisor Eric Meyers
Benjamin Gordon: "Sacred Land Endowments and Field Consecrations in Early Judaism." 2013. Advisor: Eric Meyers