|
GENERAL
The University of Manchester is a major centre
for teaching and research in Jewish Studies and its MA Programme
is able to draw on the expertise of leading scholars in the
fields of Hebrew language, Bible, Second Temple Judaism, Rabbinic
Literature and Modern Jewish History in the old-established
and distinguished Departments of Middle Eastern Studies and Religions and Theology,
which have between them around 350 undergraduate and graduate
students. Its library resources, housed in the John
Rylands University Library, are among the best in the country
and include
important archives and manuscripts of Jewish interest.
Through the Centre
for Jewish Studies, one of a number of Centres for the study
of religion at the University, students will have the opportunity
to hear visiting academics and to keep abreast of the most recent
research. Jewish Studies are a young, but internationally recognised
field of research and teaching which has been expanding fast
in recent years and which draws together a wide range of disciplines
and covers a varied spectrum of interests. At Manchester students
of Jewish Studies have the opportunity of participating in a
rich and challenging learning experience.
To obtain the latest
hard-copy information and application forms, email pg-admissions@manchester.ac.uk.
For information about life as a postgraduate at the University
of Manchester, see the Graduate
Study website. For information about study costs see Fees.
For information regarding the benefits of studying at Manchester
as a foreign student, see the Studying
Abroad Programme.
AIMS
OF THE PROGRAMME
- To offer specialised training in Jewish Studies enabling
graduates in Hebrew and Jewish Studies or in Religious Studies to deepen
their knowledge of Judaism and Jewish history;
- To function as a conversion-course for students without
much prior knowledge of the subject who wish to move into the field of
Jewish Studies;
- To provide essential research training for students intending
to proceed to doctoral programmes.
CONTENT
OF THE PROGRAMME
The Programme comprises a series of modules covering a
wide range of Jewish Studies. It aims to raise issues, pose problems and
stress methodology. It will adopt a critical, academic approach to primary
sources. Assessment will test powers of analysis and argument, more than
passive knowledge.
All students will be required to take a research methods
module. This will be organised chronologically (Jewish society, history
and literature in the biblical, post-biblical, mediaeval and modern periods)
and will illustrate a number of methodological approaches. It will unify
the Programme and ensure that all students have a broad knowledge of the
whole field.
Students take an additional three courses from the
list of approved courses.
All students will be required to write a dissertation in
which they will be expected to marshal facts in a coherent manner and to
argue a thesis.
Some course-units require linguistic knowledge. Students
wishing to take such units must be able to demonstrate that they have the
requisite linguistic competence. Students wishing to take such units who
do not have the necessary linguistic competence may be required to undertake
preliminary language study to bring them up to the required level.
Students will be able to take a number of different routes
through the programme depending on their needs and interests. They will
be able to focus on a particular period (e.g. Bible, late antiquity, modern
times); or to concentrate on a particular methodology (e.g. philology, texts,
history, sociology, theology); or to mix subjects and approaches to gain
a broad knowledge of the whole field.
Each student's choice of options will be subject
to the approval of the Board of Studies.
STRUCTURE
OF THE PROGRAMME
The MA in Jewish
Studies consists of four elements:
- A compulsory
Research Methods Core course (20 credits): Sources, resources
and methods in Jewish Studies relating to the biblical, post-biblical,
mediaeval and modern periods;
- A compulsory
Faculty Research Training Course;
- 3 Elective
Course-Units chosen from the Postgraduate
Study;
- A dissertation
(12,000-15,000 words).
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Standard applicants will have an honours degree or equivalent
(first or upper second class preferred, but lower second class may be accepted).
A first degree in Jewish Studies or in Religious Studies is not required.
Non-standard applicants will also be considered (e.g.
students who have attended Rabbinical seminaries). Such applicants may
be asked to undertake preliminary study, or to undergo written examination
before being admitted to the Programme.
Knowledge of Hebrew is not a prerequisite. Students without
any knowledge of a language relevant to Jewish Studies will be encouraged
to take a language as one of their options (e.g. Classical Hebrew, Koine
Greek, Aramaic, Modern Hebrew, German), especially if they are intending
to go on to doctoral research.
Some course-units require linguistic knowledge. Students
wishing to take such units must be able to demonstrate that they have the
requisite linguistic competence. Students wishing to take such units who
do not have the necessary linguistic competence may be required to undertake
preliminary language study to bring them up to the required level.
Applicants may be called for
interview.
ATTENDANCE
AND ASSESSMENT
REQUIREMENTS
The MA in Jewish Studies may be studies full-time (one
year) or part-time (two years). Part-time candidates will be required to
satisfy the Board of Studies that they will have sufficient time for study
throughout the period of the programme.
Teaching will be through lectures, seminars and tutorials,
depending on the subject and the size of the class. The norm will be 40
contact hours per taught course-unit; these may be in a single semester
(12 weeks) or spread over two semesters. Contact hours for language classes
may exceed the norm; for small tutorial groups they may be less than the
norm.
A variety of forms of assessment will be used: three-hour
formal written examinations; continuous assessment (e.g. through class
participation, homework assignments, or seminar presentations); course-work;
assessed essays; assessed project work; or a combination of these.
Candidates who have successfully completed taught courses
to a total of 80 credits may be awarded the degree of B.Phil.
Professor Philip Alexander will be happy to answer specific
enquiries about the course: e-mail Philip.Alexander@man.ac.uk
|
