The master of arts (M.A.) degree in Jewish studies is designed for those seeking to advance their knowledge
at a graduate level as preparation for doctoral-level work in Jewish studies,
or for careers in other fields such as education, communal service, library
science, and public affairs. This program would afford nontraditional students
and those individuals formerly trained in other disciplines
the opportunity to strengthen their candidacy for admission to top ranked doctoral
programs in Jewish studies. Students, particularly educators and professionals
working in Jewish communal fields, may pursue the M.A. part time.
Rutgers' program draws on the strength of its faculty in areas such as Jewish history, Bible, Jewish literature and cultural studies, religious studies,
Yiddish, and Israel studies.
The program will provide students with the necessary tools to understand the
development of Jewish life from the era of the Bible until the present and
examine Jewish cultural production in its social and political context at a
given historical moment; to recognize and analyze classical, premodern Jewish
sources with proficiency in a Jewish language; and to become critical readers,
thinkers, and writers of the Jewish experience. Students will be exposed to a
variety of methodologies used in the field of Jewish studies, including
historical, literary, philosophical, philological, anthropological, and
sociological methods of analysis.
Students are required to complete 30 credits of graduate
coursework and to demonstrate proficiency in Hebrew or another Jewish
language. Master's degree students will write a thesis and take a comprehensive
examination, in consultation with the graduate director.Further
information on program requirements may be obtained online at http://jewishstudies.rutgers.edu/graduate.
