MPhil in Jewish Studies

University of Oxford

The MPhil in Jewish Studies provides a broad approach to the study of Jewish history and culture from antiquity to modern times, combined with study of Modern or Biblical Hebrew or Yiddish.The MPhil is a taught master’s course, designed to teach the methods, sources and languages required for more specialised research within Jewish Studies.You will be required to complete 6 terms of language study in the same language. You may choose to study either Modern Hebrew or Biblical Hebrew or Yiddish at elementary, intermediate or advanced level.In addition, you will be required to select four courses from a range of options. The options of this course, which vary from year to year, must be selected from those on offer.Options are subject to availability of teaching each year but might include:Septuagint and Related StudiesIntroduction to Rabbinic TextsModern Jewish HistoryThe Emergence of Modern Religious Movements in JudaismThe Religion of IsraelThe Holocaust: From History to MemoryWritten Culture in the Medieval Jewish WorldOn Sherd and Papyrus: Jews in ancient documents from Hellenistic and early Roman EgyptMain Themes in Israeli Society and PoliticsModern Hebrew LiteratureKey Themes in Jewish Medieval Thought.You will also write a dissertation of up to 30,000 words.The degree course is intensive and is based on small classes, seminars, tutorials and close faculty-student contact. Teaching typically consists of a weekly one hour tutorial or class for each option. Language courses typically consist of 5 hours of class teaching per week. In addition students can expect to meet with their thesis supervisor twice a term.