The MAR in Second Temple Judaism has a primary focus in the non-canonical Jewish literature in the period between the Bible and the Mishnah. Since there are no Ph. D. programs in Second Temple Judaism alone, students also do extensive work either in Hebrew Bible, New Testament, or rabbinic Judaism. Students are expected to acquire high level competence in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. Study of Syriac and Latin is also encouraged. In addition to courses in either Hebrew Bible, New Testament, or both, students are encouraged to take courses in rabbinic Judaism, in the Department of Religious Studies, and also in Classics and the Archaia interdisciplinary program.
The goal of the program is to familiarize students with the history and literature of Judaism between the Hebrew Bible and the Mishnah, and to read at least the literature that is extant in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek in the primary languages. The concentration requires 4 courses in Advanced Hebrew, 4 in other ancient languages, 4 in the history and literature of the period, and allows 4 elective courses.
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