The Jewish Theological Seminary
Academics
Ancient Jewish Studies
Professor
Richard Kalmin, Talmud and Rabbinics, Program Adviser
Judith Hauptman, Talmud and Rabbinic
David Marcus, Talmud and Rabbinics
Adjunct Professor
Robert Goldenberg
The program in Ancient Jewish Studies is interdisciplinary, designed to enable students to explore the history and culture of the Jews of antiquity (sixth century BCE to sixth 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.
Degrees
Admission Requirements
See the List College admissions page.
Degree Requirements
- 3 credits (1 course) HIS 1010, Ancient Jewish History
- 6 credits (2 courses) of an ancient language (e.g Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic, Biblical grammar, Greek)
- 6 credits (2 courses) of ancient Jewish history or literature (other than rabbinic) or in related fields such as classics and Christianity
- 6 credits (2 courses) of Talmud
- 6 credits (2 courses) of Midrash
- 3 credits (1 course) senior/capstone seminar
Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.
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
- Second Year 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 Graduate School, thirty graduate credits are required, including HIS 6117, one additional relevant history course, 7000-level or above, and one Talmud course 7000-level or above. Other courses will be determined in consultation with the adviser.
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 adviser. If the exam is selected, the reading list will be prepared in consultation with the adviser.
Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 graduate credits beyond the MA degree are required, including at least three credits in an advanced text course in Midrash and three credits in an advanced text course in Talmud. 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 adviser.
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 adviser.
Dissertation
A book-length dissertation that makes a contribution to the study of the Jews and Judaism in antiquity.
Admission Requirements
Learn more about admission to The Graduate School.
Degree Requirements
Languages
In addition to languages required of all students in the The Graduate School, students must pass exams in French, German, Greek, and either Syriac or Latin.
Courses
In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, at least 30 graduate credits beyond the MA degree are required. Students who have not received a master's degree in Ancient Judaism or its equivalent may be required to complete additional courses as prerequisite work. All courses will be determined in consultation with the adviser.
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 adviser.
Dissertation
A book-length dissertation that makes an important and original contribution to the study of the Jews and Judaism in antiquity.
Search the Course Catalog for ANC courses