The program in "Christianity and Judaism in antiquity"
provides opportunity 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 in this period the program unites the
disciplines traditionally distinguished as "New Testament Studies"
and "patristics," and for the study of Judaism in this period the
program entails the disciplines of "Hebrew Bible," "intertestamental
studies," and "classical (early rabbinic) Judaism." The program,
then, is broadly conceived, both within each tradition, and in the
combination of the two traditions.
The rationale for this breadth lies chiefly in the close historical
relationships between Christianity and Judaism in the ancient
world. Not only did Christianity originate from Judaism, but for
centuries Judaism and Christianity continued in close dialogue
and debate with each other. A broad approach allows for an appreciation
of these facts and for an understanding of the important continuities
between these traditions. The program is designed to allow the
student to study the Bible not only in its historical setting,
but also as it has been received and interpreted within the Jewish
and Christian communities.
Further, since both Christianity and Judaism belonged to, shaped,
and were shaped by a larger common environment, the program also
entails careful attention to Graeco-Roman society and culture.
Finally, since advanced studies in Christianity and Judaism in
antiquity cannot be carried on without access to the relevant
texts in their original languages, normally at least two of Hebrew,
Greek and Latin.
Thus the basic subject areas component to the program are:
A. Judaism (Hebrew Bible/Judaica)
B. Christianity (New Testament and patristics)
C. Graeco-Roman Society and Culture
D. Language Study
I. The Concentration
The rather imposing breadth of the program as described above
is qualified by the requirement that each student must elect a
concentration in either Judaism (A. above) or Christianity (B.
above). This is, however, only a concentration, not an exclusive
choice, and a significant amount of coursework will still be required
in the subsidiary field (see the distributional guidelines below).
II. Course Requirements and the Distribution
of Courses
Normally a student will be required to accumulate 72 hours of
credit (12 hours per semester for 6 semesters). If, however, a
student brings to the program a strong post-baccalaureate degree
with clear relevance for the program, advanced standing may be
granted. In that case, the course requirement may be reduced to
48 hours (12 hours per semester for 4 semesters).
The curricula of individual students will vary somewhat in accordance
with the concentration elected and with previous work, special
needs, etc. Generally, however, students will distribute their
courses according to the following scheme:
A. Field of Concentration (either Judaism or Christianity),
6-8 courses
B. Subsidiary Field (either Judaism or Christianity, whichever
is not elected as a concentration), 4-6 courses
C. Graeco-Roman Studies, 2-4 courses
D. Language Studies, 4-6 courses
Courses offered in other departments of the University than Religious
Studies (principally in Classics, History, Philosophy and Art)
may be included in these totals. In fact, students are strongly
encouraged to take such courses in these other departments as
available and as relevant to their programs of study.
III. Languages
Because a good knowledge of the classical languages of the Jewish
and Christian traditions is essential to advanced study and productive
scholarship, every student will be expected to pursue language
study continuously. Normally students who concentrate in Judaism
will take Hebrew each and every semester they are in residence,
and students in Christianity will take Greek each and every semester
they are in residence.
Each student must develop competence in a second ancient language.
For students concentrating in Judaism, this will normally be Greek.
For students concentrating in Christianity, this may be either
Hebrew or Latin. A student who enters already well-prepared in
one of these languages will be strongly encouraged to develop
competence in both of the remaining two.
Competence in Hebrew is understood as the ability to read a Biblical
text (prose) and a rabbinical text with the aid of a dictionary.
Competence in Greek is understood as the ability to read a text
in ecclesiastical Greek with the help of a dictionary. Competence
in Latin is understood as the ability to read a text in ecclesiastical
Latin with the help of a dictionary.
IV. Semesterly Schedules
A student's work in any given semester will normally consist
of one or two language courses and two or three graduate seminars
(for a total of 12 semester hours). By agreement among instructors,
not more than two major research papers will be required of any
student in a single semester.
V. Comprehensive Examinations
On completion of coursework, each student will sit for comprehensive
examinations in each of the four areas of the program:
A. Judaism
B. Christianity
C. Graeco-Roman Society and Culture
D. Languages (Hebrew/Greek/Latin, as elected)
Examinations will be set in accordance with: a student's coursework,
fundamental issues, a program bibliography, and the student's
specialized interests. The program bibliography, a set reading
list for which all students will be responsible, is attached.
The comprehensive examinations will be divided as follows: Besides
the two language language exams discussed above there will be
four comprehensive exams: one on the dissertation area for 8 hours
and three on the other areas, each for four hours.
Students who major in Christianity will sit for two exams in
the major field, one on New Testament and one on patristics. If
the area of the dissertation is New Testament that exam will be
8 hours and the Patristics exam 4 hours. If the area of the dissertation
is Patristics that exam will be 8 hours and the New Testament
exam will be four hours. A third exam of four hours will be on
the minor field, Hebrew Bible/Judaica.
Students who major in Hebrew Bible/Judaica will sit for two exams
in the major field, one on Hebrew Bible and one on Judaica. If
the area of the dissertation is Hebrew Bible that exam will be
8 hours and the Judaica exam four hours. If the area of the dissertation
is Judaica, that exam will be four hours and the Hebrew Bible
exam four hours. A third exam of four hours will be on the minor
field, New Testament/Patristics.
All students will sit for a four hour exam on Graeco-Roman Society
and Culture.
An oral exam of sixty minutes based on the writtens will be held
a week or so after the written exams. Evaluation of the students
performance will be based on the writtens and on the oral exam.
