Universiteit Leiden

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Hebrew and Aramaic Studies (research) (MA)

About the programme

Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research) covers two years and can be studied in four programmes, one of them is the Hebrew and Aramaic Studies specialisation. When you choose to study this programme you will both be guided through the broadness relevant sub-disciplines, as well as gradually led to develop your own specific research skills.

The department offers you a wide range of expertise on historical-comparative approaches to Hebrew and Aramaic and on other, less well-known but closely related languages: Ugaritic, Phoenician and Punic, for instance, that are not easily found outside Leiden, are popular subjects here. 

Core courses

About our Common Courses
With all other Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research) programmes, the ResMA Hebrew and Aramaic Studies shares two compulsory Common Courses. These courses are geared towards connecting the various disciplines and cross-fertilising work in your own specialisation. Students of all specialisations  examine cultural phenomena that transcend their own discipline and engage in discussions with fellows from neighbouring fields. Since classes in the research master level always follow recent trends in research, specific topics presented in the Common Courses may change every year.

Thesis and Research Career Seminar
In the fourth semester, you are expected to start writing your thesis. In addition to individual guidance by your supervisor, the Research Career seminar will bolster up your work on the thesis by training you in specific writing and presentation skills. You will also learn, based on your thesis preparation, how to write a research proposal on the basis of academic requirements used by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).

Programme structure

First year
Course EC
Common Course: Fragments 10
Epigraphy: Hebrew and Moabite Inscriptions (10 EC) 10
Epigraphy: Hebrew and Moabite Inscriptions (5 EC) 5
History of the Exploration of the Levant (5 EC) 5
History of the Exploration of the Levant (10 EC) 10
Reading Hebrew Literature: Prophets at Work: Hosea and Amos (10 EC) 10
Reading Hebrew Literature: Prophets at Work: Hosea and Amos (5 EC) 5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic 5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic 10
Concepts & Methods in the Ancient Near East: Social Worlds of Ancient Art Producers 10
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period 5
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period 10
Jesus of Nazareth in his 1st century Jewish-Palestinian Context 10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Aramaic in the Persian Period 10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Aramaic in the Persian Period 5
Second year
Course EC
Research Career Seminar 10
MA Thesis Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research) 30
Common Course: Fragments 10
Epigraphy: Hebrew and Moabite Inscriptions (10 EC) 10
Epigraphy: Hebrew and Moabite Inscriptions (5 EC) 5
History of the Exploration of the Levant (10 EC) 10
History of the Exploration of the Levant (5 EC) 5
Reading Hebrew Literature: Prophets at Work: Hosea and Amos (10 EC) 10
Reading Hebrew Literature: Prophets at Work: Hosea and Amos (5 EC) 5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic 5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic 10
Concepts & Methods in the Ancient Near East: Social Worlds of Ancient Art Producers 10
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period 5
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period 10
Jesus of Nazareth in his 1st century Jewish-Palestinian Context 10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Aramaic in the Persian Period 10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Aramaic in the Persian Period 5

For a more detailed programme, please see the Prospectus.

Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year, which means that the curriculum for next year may slightly differ.