Modern Jewish Studies

Interdisciplinary Modern Jewish Studies degrees consist of advanced, interdisciplinary study of the modern Jewish experience. The methods of study vary with the interests and concentration of the individual student, but all MJS students gain familiarity with the breadth of Jewish history, literature, and thought in the modern period (approximately 1750-1980). Electives allow students to specialize in their areas of interest, as well as explore complementary areas of study at JTS, which may include courses in Jewish Gender and Women’s Studies, Jewish Ethics, and/or advanced study of Yiddish or Hebrew, amongst others.

Bachelor of Arts in Modern Jewish Studies

The BA major in Modern Jewish Studies is designed to provide the student with multidisciplinary training in the study of the modern Jewish experience, with an emphasis on religion and culture.

Undergraduate Learning Outcomes

After completing a BA degree in Modern Jewish Studies, students will be able to:

1. Identify the communal and demographic shifts that defined Jewish experiences from the eighteenth century to the present day.
2. Explain Jewish religious and cultural production in light of surrounding cultural and historical contexts.
3. Articulate the relationship of modern secularism to the broader Jewish cultural and religious canon.
4. Analyze modern sources of Jewish thought, history, and literature using critical methodologies.
5. Relate modern notions of identity (i.e. “religion,” “nation,” “peoplehood”) to developments in Jewish culture and community.

Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements

The BA degree requires 30 credits towards the major. HIS 1012/5406: Modern Jewish History is required for all MJS majors as it introduces the major themes, events, and cultural contexts required for more advanced study. The remaining courses are distributed between modern Jewish history, Jewish thought, and modern Jewish literature. A senior seminar or advanced elective completes the MJS curriculum, selected in consultation with the advisor. Students may apply to write a senior thesis, completed through the year-long List College Thesis Seminar; if accepted, the thesis fulfills the final requirement of the major.

Required Courses for the BA

• One history survey course (3 credits) HIS 1012/5406: Modern Jewish History
• One advanced elective course (3 credits) in Modern Jewish History
• Two courses (6 credits) in Modern Jewish Thought
• Two courses (6 credits) in Modern Jewish Literature (a Hebrew beyond HEB 5203 or Yiddish language course may be used)
• Three courses (9 credits) of electives chosen in consultation with the advisor (one of these courses may be on the 1000 level)
• One course (3 credits) senior/capstone seminar or additional upper-level elective or senior thesis

Graduate Degrees in Modern Jewish Studies

The Modern Jewish Studies graduate program includes master’s and doctoral degree programs. Candidates for graduate degrees select an area of specialization (history, literature, or thought) in consultation with faculty and graduate advisors and pursue advanced work in that area while also completing an interdisciplinary foundation in all three areas of the program. All degrees require the completion of comprehensive exams or equivalent as defined below, while doctoral degrees also require the completion of a substantial scholarly manuscript in the candidate’s field of study.

JTS is unique in offering two doctoral degree options within Modern Jewish Studies, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Doctor of Hebrew Literature (DHL). The Ph.D. program is oriented towards the production of substantial original research in the field of Modern Jewish Studies, while the DHL supports those who wish to pursue more synthetic monographs.

Graduate Learning Outcomes

The graduate program builds on all learning outcomes from the undergraduate program, incorporating greater content and methodological mastery into each area. Additionally, graduate students will be able to…

1. Contextualize primary and secondary sources within their appropriate literary, historical, and ideological currents
2. Articulate critical issues and debates within the contemporary field of Modern Jewish Studies
3. Apply the methods of their field of study to produce advanced critical analysis of a theme, source, text, or material related to the modern Jewish experience

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

The MA degree in Modern Jewish Studies is designed to take one to two years to complete. Students may be eligible for advanced standing or other degree completion timelines in consultation with the advisor.

The master’s degree requires 30 total credits that are distributed as outlined below. Students must also demonstrate Hebrew proficiency equivalent to the level of HEB 5203 (Intermediate Hebrew II), though any courses that a student takes to achieve this proficiency are not counted towards the overall degree.  

MA Core Courses (6 credits)

• MDS 5102: Classics of the Jewish Tradition (3 credits)
• HIS 5406: Modern Jewish History (3 credits)

MA Distribution Requirements (24 credits)

• Two courses (6 credits) in Modern Jewish History
• Two courses (6 credits) in Modern Jewish Literature
• Two courses (6 credits) in Modern Jewish Thought
• Two additional elective courses (6 credits) in an area related to Modern Jewish Studies

Thesis, Captone Project, or Examination Requirement

Students must complete either a thesis or written comprehensive examination to be awarded the MA degree. Students work closely with their advisor to determine which approach best suits their academic goals, then students prepare the thesis or exams during their final year in the program.

MA theses are sustained research papers in an area of the student’s choosing and specialization. Students wishing to write an MA thesis should work closely with their advisor early in the program to identify a topic and to shape their course of study to prepare them to write the thesis. Prior to beginning the thesis, students propose their topic, research plan, and identify their primary reader for approval by the Committee on Modern Jewish Studies

The content, nature, and requirements of capstone projects are determined in consultation with the advisor.

Comprehensive examinations test students’ understanding of a list of required readings and their ability to place the readings in the broader contexts of Modern Jewish Studies and the material covered in their coursework.

Doctor of Hebrew Literature in Modern Jewish Studies Degree Requirements

The DHL in Modern Jewish Studies is designed for students who wish to pursue advanced academic work in Modern Jewish Studies but do not wish to pursue a traditional academic career. It offers more flexibility to students than the other degree programs and can be completed on a full-time or parttime basis.

Languages

DHL students must demonstrate satisfactory reading comprehension of Hebrew prior to matriculation, either through prior coursework or completion of the JTS Hebrew Placement Exam.

Courses

30 graduate credits beyond the MA are required, as follows:

• Five courses (15 credits) in the major discipline (Modern Jewish History, Modern Jewish Literature, Modern Jewish Thought)
• Two courses (6 credits) in the nonmajor discipline (Modern Jewish History, Modern Jewish Literature, Modern Jewish Thought)
• One course (3 credits) in a Medieval and Early Modern Jewish Studies
• Two courses (6 credits) of electives

Comprehensive Examination

Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students must take a comprehensive examination (with both a written and an oral component), which tests their understanding of a list of required readings and their ability to place the readings in the broader contexts covered in course work.

Dissertation

An original monograph-length dissertation on a topic in Modern Jewish Studies, to be approved by the advisor and a second reader. The DHL dissertation is generally a critical, synthetic project.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements

The PhD program in Modern Jewish Studies is designed to be completed in five to seven years. Students admitted to the program without a prior MA degree may be considered for matriculation into the MA first with continuation (pending satisfactory academic performance) into the PhD.

Students in the PhD must pursue the degree on a full-time basis. Residency at JTS is required through the coursework years and strongly encouraged throughout the dissertation writing process, as students benefit from access to the vibrant intellectual life of the Seminary and the resources of the JTS Library. PhD students and candidates may also be eligible to assist in or teach JTS courses as part of their professional training and funding package.

Languages

PhD students must demonstrate satisfactory reading comprehension of Hebrew prior to matriculation, either through prior coursework or completion of the JTS Hebrew Placement Exam. Students must also demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of German and either French or Yiddish prior to taking the comprehensive exams. Additional languages may be required, depending upon research needs.

Coursework at other institutions participating in a consortium with the Kekst Graduate School may be required to advance students’ language skills.

Courses

30 credits beyond the MA are required, as follows:

• Five courses (15 credits) in the major discipline (Modern Jewish History, Modern Jewish Thought, or Modern Jewish Literature)
• Two courses (6 credits) in the nonmajor discipline (Modern Jewish History, Modern Jewish Thought, or Modern Jewish Literature)
• One course (3 credits) in Medieval and Early Modern Jewish Studies
• Two courses (6 credits) of electives

Comprehensive Examinations

Upon satisfactory completion of all course work, students will take a written and an oral examination. The written exam consists of four essays, one from each field (i.e., one from each examiner). The student will select one out of two questions submitted by each examiner. The student will have a twoday period to complete the essays. The oral exam focuses on the written answers and explores other topics as well, such as the essays not chosen by the student.

Following satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examinations, students progress to candidacy.

The Dissertation

All PhD candidates produce an original monograph-length dissertation on a topic in Modern Jewish Studies that demonstrates the ability to pursue original research in their area of specialization, to be approved by a faculty committee.