A. Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity
Full Program
Description
This program provides for the advanced study both of Christianity
from its origins through the Arab conquest and of Judaism from
the early Hellenistic period through the period of the Talmud.
For the study of Christianity the program combines the disciplines
traditionally distinguished as "New Testament Studies" and "Patristics,"
and for the study of Judaism it combines the disciplines of "Hebrew
Bible," "intertestamental studies," and "classical (early rabbinic)
Judaism." And since both Judaism and Christianity belonged to,
were shaped by, and shaped the larger cultural environment, the
program also includes careful attention to Graeco-Roman society
and culture. Each student elects to concentrate in either Christianity
or Judaism, but a significant amount of work is also done in the
subsidiary field.
In addition to modern-language requirements of competence
in French or German, students must also develop competence in
at least two a Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. For admission students
must have a solid grounding in at least one ancient language as
well as familiarity with one of the modern languages.
Comprehensive examinations are required in four areas: Judaism
(Hebrew Bible/Judaica), Christianity (New Testament and Patristics),
Graeco-Roman Studies, Primary Languages.
B. European and American Religious History
Full Program Description
This program offers concentration in Medieval or Early Modern
European religious history; in American religious history; and
in European and American Catholicism since the eighteenth century.
Each student must choose a primary and a secondary concentration
among these. In addition, each student is to do course work in
the following areas: Christian antiquity before the seventh century;
philosophy or theology; literature or art history; and related
socio-scientific approaches to historical studies. The program
is interdisciplinary, drawing also on the resources of the History
department.
The program requires a reading knowledge of German, French and
Latin with the possibility of the student's gaining permission
for the substitution of another language depending on the field
of major concentration.
Four comprehensive examinations are required. Three examinations
are to be written in the following areas: (1) European religious
history (exclusive of the dissertation area); (2) American religious
history (exclusive of the dissertation area); (3) the area of
specialization incorporating the particular socio-scientific historical
approach chosen in course work; and (4) an oral examination in
the dissertation area.
C. Historical Theology
Historical Theology provides opportunity for advanced study of
the history of Christian thought. Students will concentrate on
one historical period, e.g. early church, medieval, early modern,
but will be examined on theological sources from other periods.
One exam will deal with some aspect of the Scriptures as interpreted
within Christian tradition. Besides French and German students
will be required to pass examinations in ecclesiastical Greek
and Latin.
