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.

Tutorial and Elective
Next to the Common Courses, you will follow a tutorial which serves as a first step in the planning of your thesis. Additionally, you take another elective course within your specialisation area.

Thesis and Thesis 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: Ancient Cosmogonies	10
Epigraphy: Phoenician	5
Epigraphy: Phoenician	10
History of the Exploration of the Levant	5
History of the Exploration of the Levant	10
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	5
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	10
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	10
Architecture as a Source for Historical Reconstruction in the ancient Near East	10
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	5
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	5
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	10
Shem in the tents of Japhet: Exploring cultural negotiation in Greco-Roman Jewish-Greek literature	10

Second year
Course	EC
Common Course: Ancient Cosmogonies	10
Research Career Seminar	10
Epigraphy: Phoenician	5
Epigraphy: Phoenician	10
History of the Exploration of the Levant	10
History of the Exploration of the Levant	5
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	5
Reading Hebrew Literature: The Song of Songs and Lamentations	10
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	5
Seminar Introduction to Aramaic: Biblical Aramaic	10
Architecture as a Source for Historical Reconstruction in the ancient Near East	10
MA Thesis Classics and Ancient Civilizations (Research)	30
Shem in the tents of Japhet: Exploring cultural negotiation in Greco-Roman Jewish-Greek literature	10
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	5
Diaspora Communities in the Persian Period	10
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	5
Seminar Advanced Aramaic: Jewish Palestinian Aramaic	10

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.