Jewish Thought MA

The MA in Jewish Thought, a comprehensive, 30-credit program, provides advanced training in the intellectual and spiritual history of Judaism, with special emphasis on medieval, modern and contemporary thought. You will explore both classical and modern texts, and examine authors and philosophers who have an impact on the field. These authors and texts will be read closely to discover original ideas, the conceptual and historical relations of these ideas and thinkers to one another, and their relation to the broader intellectual issues of their times and our times.

Required Core (18 credits)

Advanced Late Antique & Medieval Jewish Texts (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 715SEM - Advanced Late Antique and Medieval Jewish Texts Credits: 3
JDS 709SEM - Jewish Law and Theory Credits: 3

Classical & Contemporary Jewish Philosophers (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 650SEM - Modern Jewish Thought Credits: 3
JDS 655SEM - Medieval Jewish Thought Credits: 3

Ethics (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 720SEM - Ethics of Emmanuel Levinas Credits: 3
JDS 725SEM - Politics, Ethics and Religion Credits: 3
JDS 729SEM - Virtue Ethics in Abrahamic Religions Credits: 3

Literature of Mysticism (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 680SEM - Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism) Credits: 3
JDS 685SEM - Jewish Magic Credits: 3

Secular Jewish Literature (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 690SEM - Jewish Identity in Modern Jewish Literature Credits: 3
JDS 695SEM - Jewish Literature After Auschwitz Credits: 3

Special Topics (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

JDS 526SEM - Special Topics Jewish Thought Credits: 3
JDS 598TUT - Supervised Reading Credits: 1 - 3

Electives & Culminating Experience (12 credits)

Electives

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 30 minimum total credit hours.

Select a minimum of 6 credits from graduate level JDS courses.

Culminating Experience: Project or Thesis (6 credits)

JDS 599TUT - Masters Project Guidance Credits: 1 - 6
JDS 600TUT - Thesis Guidance Credits: 1 - 6

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Part Time

Credits Required

30 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$75

Admission Tests **

GRE

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.

** At least one of the admissions tests are required for admission. Test and score requirements/exceptions vary by program. Contact the department for details.