Jewish Studies (Thesis) (M.A.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Jewish Studies (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Master of Arts
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
An M.A. in Jewish Studies (thesis option) is offered in the following areas: History of the Jewish Interpretation of the Bible, Eastern European Jewish History, Jewish Thought, Hebrew Literature, and Modern Jewish Literatures. These areas of specialization are broadly construed to accommodate the range of research interests in the Department. The M.A. can be completed in one year, though most students spend two years in the program.
Note: Students can choose from either the Jewish Studies Stream or History of the Jewish Interpretation of the Bible Stream.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Jewish Studies Stream (45 credits)
Thesis Courses (30 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JWST 695 | M.A. Thesis 1. | 9 |
M.A. Thesis 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Bibliography and preparation of a research proposal. | ||
| JWST 696 | M.A. Thesis 2. | 9 |
M.A. Thesis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Thesis preparation and ongoing presentation of research results. | ||
| JWST 697 | M.A. Thesis 3. | 12 |
M.A. Thesis 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Writing and submission of thesis. | ||
Required Course (3 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JWST 699 | Research in Jewish Studies. | 3 |
Research in Jewish Studies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical problems and resources related to research and key theoretical debates in the field will be discussed. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level, chosen according to each student's specialization in consultation with the student's thesis adviser.
Language Requirement
Students choosing Eastern European studies, Jewish thought, or Hebrew literature must demonstrate fluency in either Hebrew or Yiddish according to their field of specialization. Mastery is normally determined by an examination administered by the Department.
History of the Jewish Interpretation of the Bible Stream (45 credits)
Thesis Courses (24 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JWST 690 | M.A. Thesis 1. | 3 |
M.A. Thesis 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Normally done during the first semester of residence, this project entails original bibliographic research related to the history of Jewish Bible interpretation, usually the preparation of an extensive bibliography of one writer, text or theme. The choice may relate to the thesis topic. | ||
| JWST 691 | M.A. Thesis 2. | 6 |
M.A. Thesis 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A study of the history of Jewish interpretation of one verse, based on 100 primary sources of a topical analysis of a major issue in the history of Jewish Bible interpretation. | ||
| JWST 692 | M.A. Thesis 3. | 12 |
M.A. Thesis 3. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Preparation of the thesis. | ||
| JWST 694 | M.A. Thesis 4. | 3 |
M.A. Thesis 4. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. A directed reading project devoted to the modern critical scholarship on one Biblical work. | ||
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| JWST 510 | Jewish Bible Interpretation 1. | 3 |
Jewish Bible Interpretation 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The issues, approaches, and texts of Jewish Bible interpretation between the Biblical and Talmudic eras: Bible interpretation in the Bible; in Greco-Roman Jewish literature; in the Mishnah, Tosefta, Targumim, and Talmudim; early Samaritan interpretation, Bible interpretation in ancient synagogue art, and in the massoretic literature. | ||
| JWST 511 | Jewish Bible Interpretation 2. | 3 |
Jewish Bible Interpretation 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The issues, problems, approaches, and texts of Jewish Bible interpretation in medieval, renaissance, early modern, and modern times. Interpretation in the Geonic, Ashkenazi, Sefardic, North African, Italian, European, Yemenite, North American and Israeli centres of Jewish Learning. | ||
| JWST 699 | Research in Jewish Studies. | 3 |
Research in Jewish Studies. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Practical problems and resources related to research and key theoretical debates in the field will be discussed. | ||
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
12 credits of courses at the 500, 600, or 700 level, chosen in consultation with the student's thesis adviser.
Language Requirement
In addition to Hebrew, students in the History of the Jewish Interpretation of the Bible stream must master another language in which primary documents in this field have been written; in most cases, this will be Aramaic, but classical Arabic and Greek are also accepted. Mastery is normally determined by an examination administered by the Department.