Graduate Language Policy

 

For the M.A.

All candidates are required to demonstrate language proficiency, normally in biblical or modern Hebrew or Arabic. The language requirement for Hebrew or Arabic may be fulfilled in one of two ways:

  1. By enrolling in and receiving a grade of B- or higher in a 40-level or higher Hebrew or Arabic course, or by passing a classical Hebrew text course, or modern Hebrew literature course taught in Hebrew;

  2. By passing a language examination offered by the advisor or by the Hebrew or Arabic faculty. 
The same options apply to master's students in NEJS-Hornstein and NEJS-WGS. NEJS B.A.-M.A. students have automatically completed the language requirement by completing the NEJS major. Since Master's students may enter the NEJS M.A. program with no prior Hebrew experience, the minimum level of competence required is implicitly fourth-semester Hebrew, with specific proficiency in modern academic Hebrew, which students can achieve by taking a Hebrew course every semester of their two-year residency.

M.A. students may take Hebrew courses lower than 100 for credit toward the 14 courses required for their degree, although these courses cannot be counted among the eight disciplinary courses that must be taken with NEJS faculty.

For the Ph.D.

As noted in the Bulletin, all language examinations must be completed before the doctoral dissertation prospectus is defended before the faculty. In addition, at least one language examination should also be completed in each academic year, until all required examinations are completed. Students are required to demonstrate competence in primary and secondary research languages, according to the requirements of their specific programs. The acquisition of these languages is a crucial part of every student's graduate experience, since important primary and secondary literature is often available only in these languages. Therefore, it is crucial that each student consult his/her advisor, and attempt to complete the appropriate languages as soon as possible.

Ph.D. students may take only advanced Hebrew courses for degree credit (i.e., seventh-semester Hebrew courses, e.g., HBRW 161b, 164b, 166b, 167b, 168b, 170a), with the exception of Yiddish and students in the Middle East Studies program who already are proficient in a Middle Eastern language other than Hebrew. Courses in modern research languages (German, French, etc.) taught outside the NEJS Department may not be taken for credit. Doctoral students must submit a form justifying and requesting graduate credit for courses numbered under 100.

Normally students in Jewish Studies are required to establish competence in modern Hebrew and two secondary research languages, typically French and German, although statistics may count as a language for students specializing in the area of modern Jewish sociology. Candidates are not normally admitted to the Ph.D. program in Jewish studies, including modern and American Jewish studies, until they demonstrate reading knowledge of modern Hebrew. Students who require additional work in this area should apply for the M.A. degree in NEJS.

In the Hebrew exam for doctoral students in Jewish studies, students are required to translate, using a dictionary from Tarbiz, Zion (or a comparable source), in a proctored setting, approximately one page of a three- to four-page article or section of an article, provided by their advisor. In addition, they will be asked to answer (in English) two to three content questions (asked in English) on the entire passage. Student may have up to four hours for the exam, which will be graded pass or fail by the Hebrew program and the student's advisor. The chair of the graduate program or his or her designee will resolve any disputes concerning the grade. No student is exempt from this exam.

Students in modern Middle East normally must establish competence in modern Arabic and Hebrew and one secondary research language. Those who enter the program with advanced proficiency in a Middle Eastern language other than Hebrew may receive credit for courses in Hebrew lower than 100 with the permission of their advisors.

Students in bible and ancient Near East studies (BANE) must establish competence (through comprehensive exams) in biblical Hebrew, Akkadian, Northwest Semitic Languages and two secondary research languages (normally German and French). In addition, students focusing on Bible must establish competence in modern Hebrew as a research language.

All of these exams, including the Hebrew and Arabic exams, are composed by the students' advisors. The formats for these exams differ throughout the department, but these are typically three-hour examinations, where a dictionary may be used. Typically, some part of a scholarly article must be translated. If questions are asked about an additional section of that article, that need not be translated. The questions and answers for this examination are all in English. Copies of prior examinations are available for students to consult.