MA Jewish Studies at Revel School, Yeshiva University

Graduate study in the US differs from graduate study in the UK in a number of significant ways, the most important of which are summarized here.

A master’s degree at Revel, in line with other US institutions, comprises 30 credits, which equates to 10 courses of 3 credits each. There is also a capstone comprehensive exam to be taken on completion of the 30 credits.

Revel courses meet once a week for 100 minutes (and have a further 50 minutes of asynchronous instruction as per New York State credit requirements). Live classes run in 3 timeslots:

2.50pm-4.30pm EST (7.50pm-9.30pm BST)

4.50pm-6.30pm EST (9.50pm-11.30pm BST)

6.50pm-8.30pm EST (11.50pm-1.30am BST)

LSJS students should be able to join our 2.50pm classes live, and some night owls may even wish to join the 4.50 classes too. 6.50 classes will need to be taken asynchronously by viewing the recordings. 4.50 classes will also be recorded, however, to enable LSJS students to participate asynchronously. 2.50 courses can also be recorded with the agreement of the instructor.

Distribution of Courses for the Various Areas of Concentration

Bible

Introduction to Biblical Studies (3 credits)

Biblical Hebrew (3 credits)

15 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and higher) in Bible

9 credits of electives in or outside the field of Bible to be chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser

Talmudic Studies

12 credits of courses in Talmud

9 credits of courses either in Talmud or Ancient Jewish History

9 credits of elective courses in any field

Ancient Jewish History

12 credits of courses in Ancient Jewish History

9 credits of courses either in Talmud or Ancient Jewish History

9 credits of electives courses in any field

Medieval Jewish History

6 credits of basic source courses (those numbered 5000–5999) in medieval Jewish history

12 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and above) in medieval Jewish history

12 credits of elective courses in any field

Modern Jewish History

12 credits of 5000 level core courses across the geographical spectrum:

3 credits in American (specifically JHI 5572), 3 credits in Western/Central European, 3 credits in East European, and 3 credits in Sephardic/Middle Eastern Jewish histories. JHI 5580 Promised Lands: Jewish Presence in Latin America is a Sephardic History course.

9 credits elective courses in Modern Jewish History at any level (5000 or above)

9 credits of elective courses in any field

Jewish Philosophy

Survey of: (1) Medieval Jewish Philosophy and (2) Modern Jewish Philosophy (6 credits)

The introductory courses in: (1) Jewish Mysticism and (2) Hasidism (6 credits)

9 credits of advanced courses (numbered 6000 and above) in Jewish philosophy

9 credits of electives in or outside the field of Jewish Philosophy to be chosen in consultation with the faculty adviser