Jewish Studies Program
Jewish Studies Program

MA Concentration in Judaism

UVA's MA concentration in the study of Judaism is offered as a Master's in Religious Studies.

Degree Overview

UVA’s graduate program in Judaism trains students in the methods of literary, ethnographic, philosophical, socio-cultural and historical analysis to explore Jewish religion, thought, and literature, with attention to the diverse cultural and intellectual environments in which Jewish communities have flourished.

Students are encouraged to shape a program that reflects their own interests with faculty within the department of Religious Studies and within the interdisciplinary Jewish Studies Program. MA work in Judaism prepares students for teaching and advanced research in the academy and beyond—including careers in museums, publishing, foundations, Jewish education, communal work and archives.

Areas of study include:

  • Textuality: The study of Jewish texts—from ancient and foundational sacred writings to literary, exegetical, and religious-philosophical texts of later eras—in their historical context and in the context of their transmission, reception, and interpretation. This sub-area attends to the languages and literary genres of Jewish texts, as well as to their historical contexts.
  • Practice: The study of Jewish practice, learning, culture, literature, ethics, art and material culture. This sub-area focuses on how the practices of Judaism are transmitted, experienced, transformed, and regularized.
  • Thought: Jewish thought, from the earliest period to today, as well as its encounters with Western and non-Western philosophical sources. This sub-area gives special attention to studies in (i) the logic of Jewish scriptural commentary and interpretation; (ii) the intellectual history of medieval Judaism and its expression in the Islamic world; (iii) modern and contemporary Jewish thought; (iv) Judaism and gender.

Course Expectations

The successful completion of 24 credit hours of course work; and the preparation and successful defense of a thesis which exhibits competence in the area of specialization, skill in a given method of study, and an ability to employ resources in the relevant world language(s);

or

The successful completion of 30 credit hours of course work; and the satisfactory performance in a comprehensive examination based upon a reading list approved by the relevant field committee.

The choice between these options is determined in consultation between the student and faculty advisors and with a view to the student's objectives in graduate study.

Candidates are expected to pass four foundational courses:

  • Two courses in Textuality (Biblical Studies, Rabbinic Literature, or Jewish Literature)
  • One course in Practice or Material Culture
  • One course in Jewish Thought
  • One course in Jewish History

Languages

A reading knowledge in at least one relevant research language other than English, in addition to either Classical or Modern Hebrew, must be demonstrated by examination.  Research languages will be determined in consultation with the graduate advisor and by approval of the Committee on Graduate Studies.

More information on the MA program, including special opportunities for UVA undergraduates seeking the MA degree in Religious Studies, is available here.

Faculty