Program Overview

Antikes Judentum (Specialized Master)

Overview

The specialized Master's program "Antikes Judentum" is a four-semester study program offered by the Universities of Bern and Zurich in collaboration. It invites students to explore ancient Judaism in its diversity, including the Hebrew Bible, the Sibylline Oracles, the works of Philo and Flavius Josephus, the Talmud and Midrashim, archaeological finds such as tomb inscriptions and magic bowls, and the development of Jewish holidays.

Program Description

The program provides historically and philologically grounded insights into the intellectual and cultural historical foundations of Judaism. It offers the opportunity to engage with the emergence and consolidation of Judaism, understanding ancient Judaism as part of ancient Near Eastern and Mediterranean cultures. Within this broad geographical and temporal space, the program aims to discover and research the formative impact of ancient Jewish discourses.

Career Prospects

Professional perspectives arise wherever historical, religious-historical, and philological knowledge is in demand: media, exhibitions, museums, cultural mediation, libraries, publishing houses, study tourism, as well as in research within and outside the university.

Additional Information

Requirements

• BA in History, Jewish Studies, Classical Philology, Religious Studies, Semitics, or Theology.
• Language skills: Hebrew and Greek (high school level) or the level of the university's Hebraicum or Graecum performance certificates.
• Interview that provides information about the applicants' professional prerequisites and goals.

Research Areas

The program encompasses a wide range of research areas, including but not limited to:

• Ancient Jewish texts and their interpretation
• Archaeological findings related to ancient Judaism
• The development of Jewish holidays and traditions
• The interaction between ancient Judaism and other cultures of the Mediterranean and Near East

Admission Criteria

Admission to the program is based on the fulfillment of the requirements mentioned above, including the BA degree in a relevant field, language skills, and a successful interview. The program is designed for students who wish to deepen their understanding of ancient Judaism and its cultural, historical, and religious contexts.