JUDAISM
AND CHRISTIANITY
IN THE
GRAECO-ROMAN
WORLD (JCGRW):
From Second Temple to Late Antiquity
GRADUATE
PROGRAM
The University of Michigan -
Department of Near Eastern Studies
4111 Thayer Academic
Bldg. 202 S. Thayer Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1608
phone (734) 764-0314 fax (734) 936-2679
Requirements
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Program Description
Requirements
General Description
Language Pre-requisites
Courses
Annual Exams
Teaching
Preliminary Exams
Reading List
Directors
Associated Faculty
Graduate Students
Activities
Financial Package
Application Information
Affiliated Programs
Near Eastern Studies
General Description of JCGRW Program
The Program trains graduate students as scholars and teachers in the fields
of Second Temple Judaism, Christian Origins, and Rabbinics, as well in
the history, religion, and culture of Judaism and Christianity in Late
Antiquity. Special attention is given to developing proficiency in ancient
languages and literary analytical skills, and to the study of the Graeco-Roman
context in which ancient Judaism and early Christianity developed. In
addition to Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, students are required to elect
either Latin, Syriac, or Coptic, to gain a Certificate in Greek and Roman
History, and to acquire solid teaching skills and experience.
Language Pre-Requisites
Students entering the program must show proficiency in Hebrew and Greek,
with a minimum of 4 semesters for each language. At the beginning of their
first term, new students will take two written language exams (in Greek
and in Hebrew) for an assessment of their knowledge of the required languages.
Based on this, the Advisor will determine whether any additional courses
in these languages are needed. Such courses will not count toward the
required credit hours.
Coursework
During the three years of studies, students normally take a minimum of
3 courses in each of the Fall and Winter semesters, and 4 courses in the
semesters when they are fully funded and not required to teach. We also
encourage (but do not require) that students continue their studies during
the Spring and Summer, either on campus (for example - taking language
courses), or abroad. In consultation with the Advisor, the course load
should include the following:
- A minimum of 3 courses with each of the Directors of the Program (of which at least one should be on Christian Origins, and one on Rabbinics)
- Four courses (one in classical Greek, one in Hebrew, one in Early Christianity, and one in Midrash) offered by a Professor other than the Directors.
- Ancient Languages: In addition to the pre-requisite courses (which are not included in the required credit hours), student should obtain working knowledge - a minimum of two courses - in Aramaic, and in at least one other ancient language (Latin, Syriac, or Coptic)
- Modern Languages: As in other graduate programs in the humanities, students must show proficiency in 2 modern languages (in our program they can choose between German, French, and Modern Hebrew). If they haven't done so before, students must pass the first modern language exam during their first summer in the program and the second before the beginning of the third year.
Annual Exams
At the end of the first three years, there will be Greek and Hebrew exams
on some of the readings from the source reading list (the items will be
determined at the beginning of each year), and only after passing them
a student may take the prelims after the end of the third year, preferably
during that summer or at the early fall of the fourth year.
Teaching
The teaching opportunities that students receive in the department as
GSIs (Graduate Student Instructors) are an integral part of the training
in the Program and part of our goal in preparing students for careers
in the academia. Students must treat these teaching assignments with the
utmost seriousness. They are required to continue improving their teaching
skills. When necessary, we might require that they gain additional teaching
training in special classes offered by the college. Such courses will
not count toward the required credit hours.
Note: Students who have not successfully completed all the program requirements -courses and exams, the reading list of primary and secondary literature, all required languages, both ancient and modern - and done well in their teaching assignments, will not be allowed to take the preliminary exams and advance to candidacy.
Preliminary Exams
After three years of studies, and only if a student has completed all
the requirements, she or he will be allowed to take the preliminary exam.
The material for the exam will cover all the required reading from the
primary and secondary material in the Program's reading list (see below),
and a specific list that each student will prepare with her/his Advisor
in relation to their own topics of interest.
• Each Student will take four exams over a period of one week:
• Two language exams (usually in Greek and Hebrew)
• Two topic essays in areas to be determined in consultation with
the Advisor