Jewish Thought

Professors
Arnold M. Eisen

Alan Mittleman

Neil Gillman, Emeritus

Assistant Professor
Eitan Fishbane, Advisor

Adjunct Professor
Jonathan Jacobs

Adjunct Assistant Professor
Gordon Tucker

Adjunct Instructors
Michal Raucher
Leonard Sharzer, MD

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Admission Requirements

See the List College Admissions page.

Degree Requirements

  • 3 credits (1 course) of background in general philosophy or religion from another institution (e.g Columbia University's PHILBC 1001: Introduction to Philosophy), chosen in consultation with the adviser
  • 3 credits (1 course) in Biblical or Rabbinic literature
  • 6 credits (2 courses) in medieval Jewish thought (philosophy or mysticism)
  • 3 credits (1 course) in contemporary Jewish though
  • 3 credits (1 course) in Jewish ethics, or social or political thought
  • 9 credits (3 courses) of electives, chosen in consultation with the adviser
  • 3 credits (1 course) senior/capstone seminar

    Master of Arts

    Admission Requirements

    See The Graduate School admissions page. An undergraduate degree in Philosophy, Religion or Jewish Studies is beneficial but is not required.

    Degree Requirements

    Courses
    Students entering the program are encouraged to take the following courses during the first year of graduate study if they have not had the equivalent previously:

    • One semester in problems in philosophy or an introduction to the history of Western philosophy
    • One semester in major themes in Jewish thought
    • One semester in rabbinic religion or rabbinic thought

    In addition to courses required of all students in The Graduate School, 30 graduate credits are required as follows:

    • First Year Seminar (3 credits)
    • 6 credits in pre-modern Jewish thought
    • One course in modern Jewish thought (3 credits)
    • One course in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah and Hasidism) (3 credits)
    • One course in philosophy or religious studies through the consortium (3 credits)
    • One course in Jewish ethics or social or political thought (3 credits)
    • One course in Judaica, chosen in consultation with the advisor (3 credits)
    • Two electives, chosen in consultation with an advisor (6 credits)

    Master's Thesis
    To qualify for the master of arts degree, the student will write a thesis on a figure, theme, or topic in the history of Jewish thought. The thesis will demonstrate scholarly competence in the chosen field, as well as original insight into the subject.

    Search the Course Catalog for JTH courses.