The taught M.Litt is intended
to give students with an undergraduate or Master’s level background
in Theology, Philosophy, History or related subjects an opportunity
to gain a solid grounding in Jewish religion, history, philosophy,and
culture, to enable them to acquire the background and skills to pursue
independent postgraduate research and teaching in Jewish Studies.
The programme is co-ordinated by Professor Joachim Schaper.
JEWISH STUDIES AT ABERDEEN
Scholars working on topics
in Jewish religion, philosophy, history and culture at the University
of Aberdeen are found in the departments of Divinity and Religious
Studies, History and Philosophy and in the Research Centre for Irish
and Scottish Studies.
The Biesenthal Library,
part of Special Collections at the Queen Mother Library (University
Library) of the University of Aberdeen, serves as the focus of research
in Jewish Studies. It is both an excellent research instrument (especially
with regard to Hebrew and Yiddish philology and 18th and 19th century
German and East European Judaism) and a remarkable research object,
since it encapsulates, as a mirror of the interests of the collector,
Dr Biesenthal, a central aspect of the intellectual and religious
history of 19th century Central European Judaism.
TEACHING STAFF
Dr. Robert Plant (Lecturer
in Philosophy)
Prof. Joachim Schaper (Professor in Hebrew, Old Testament and Early
Jewish Studies)
Prof. Robert Segal (Professor in Religious Studies)
Dr. Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer (Senior Lecturer in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible)
SYLLABUS
The programme is divided
into two half-sessions: during the first half-session, students are
introduced to methodological questions, take courses on Jewish history
and culture, and contemporary issues in the study of the Hebrew Bible,
embark on the study of Modern Hebrew, and have their dissertation
colloquium. In the second half-session, they take a course on Rabbinics
and Jewish Philosophy, continue their study of Modern Hebrew, carry
out an Independent Research Project and complete their dissertation
on a topic of their choice (in consultation with their allocated supervisor).
Research Training courses
- Research methodology in the areas relevant to Jewish Studies
- Dissertation Colloquium prepares students for the writing of the
10,000 - 15,000 word dissertation
The Study of the Hebrew
Bible
Students are introduced
to recent developments in the study of the Hebrew Bible: the history
of ancient Israel; Pentateuch Studies and exegetical methodology;
anthropology and its use in Hebrew Bible research; and the history
and theology of the Septuagint (inasmuch as it pertains to Hebrew
Bible Studies). Through this study they will learn how to evaluate
research methodology in the study of the Hebrew Bible and will be
enabled to acquire a substantial knowledge of key areas and of some
of the most important current debates. They will thus be in a position
to participate more fully in the exploration of biblical literature
and history.
Jewish History and Culture
The course provides a
survey of Jewish History (from the Persian and Hellenistic periods
to the present day) and of Jewish culture (including aspects of
religious life) through the ages, in order to provide students,
in conjunction with the other courses in the programme, with a full
overview of Judaism from its inception to the present.
Modern Hebrew I and II
or Classical Hebrew I and II
The goal is to bring
the students to a functional knowledge of either modern or classical
Hebrew in two half-sessions of study.
Rabbinics and Jewish Philosophy
This course provides
a foundation of knowledge in the areas of rabbinics and Jewish philosophy
and explores the interaction between the two. It centres on the
origins of rabbinic literature and its further development (with
a special accent on the mediaeval period) and of Jewish philosophy,
with a special accent on Hellenism (especially Philo) and on the
twentieth century.
Independent Research
Project 2
Students write an extended
essay on a topic selected by the student in consultation with a
supervisor.
Dissertation
10,000 to 15,000 words
on a topic chosen by the student and agreed with the supervisor.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Normally a good second class
Honours degree in Theology, Religious Studies, Anthropology or a related
subject or its equivalent in the social and political sciences. Students
whose mother tongue is not English require IELTS 6.5 or a TOEFL score
of 580 (computer-based TOEFL 238) with TWE 4.5, or equivalent, in
addition.
Applications for all courses
should be made on the appropriate form which is available from:
Mrs Helena Thomas,
Postgraduate Secretary,
School of Divinity, History and Philosophy,
King's College,
University of Aberdeen,
Aberdeen,
AB24 3UB, Scotland, UK.
Fax: +44 (0)1224 273750
E-mail:
h.m.thomas@abdn.ac.uk
