MA in Jewish Philosophy

MA (Master) Degree 
In the course of studies in the field of Jewish Philosophy
 

1. MA Progam (Taught in Hebrew) 

2. Online – International MA in Jewish Philosophy, (Taught in English) - New Program 

 

Track A – with thesis

Trach B- without thesis

 

2. Online – International MA in Jewish Philosophy, (Taught in English) - New Program 

Bar-Ilan University’s International School and the Department for Jewish Philosophy have launched a new, two-year Master of Arts program in Jewish Philosophy, which will be taught entirely in English. 
The Department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan is devoted to the research and teaching of all fields of Jewish thought from the classical period until the writing of Jewish philosophy in modern times, including the study of Kabbalah and Chassidism. 
Courses taught in the program offer an in-depth exploration of the works and teachings of Judaism’s greatest thinkers, as well as a review of their impact on Jewish and general philosophy. The curriculum covers a wide range of disciplines and areas, from medieval Spain to modern Germany.
 
Teachers
The program will be taught by some of the world’s leading experts in the field of Jewish studies. Except for the Department’s current faculty, other prominent lecturers in the program will include Prof. Ephraim Meir, Prof. Tamar Ross, and Prof. Steven Shmuel Harvey. They are all highly experienced in thesis and doctoral instruction and are at your service for your graduate and postgraduate paths.

Target Audience
The Department of Jewish Philosophy at Bar Ilan is one of the few educational institutes in the country that brings together religious and secular student, the Orthodox Jews and the religious Zionists, and allows them to study in an environment of tolerance, mutual respect, and acceptance.
We are happy to welcome all types of students including:

  • Students of philosophy (no matter what faith or country) who would like to learn about the history of Jewish philosophy and its modern developments
  • Teachers from Jewish communities around the world
  • Students of religious thought who would like to deepen their knowledge of Judaism and its intellectual traditions

Application Requirements

  • BA degree or equivalent either in Jewish Thought or in General Philosophy from an accredited institution. For applicants with degrees in other fields, additional complementary courses are required.
  • GPA of at least 3.0.
  • CV.
  • Fluency in English (Second-language speakers will be required to take a test).

There are two possible tracks from which to choose:
Track A – with thesis
Track B – without thesis


Requirements for Track A
  • A total of 12 hours of coursework divided into: four hours in two MA seminars (including writing of seminar papers), 8 annual hours in six MA courses.
  • Languages: basic knowledge of one foreign language in addition to English.
  • Obligatory participation in the department’s colloquium and regular meetings with the thesis adviser.
  • Writing of the thesis.
  • final exam.
Requirements for Track B
  • A total of 18 hours of coursework divided into: two MA seminars (including writing of seminar papers).
    Two hours that could be taken in another department (after consultation with the head of department).
  • Obligatory participation in the department’s colloquium.

Sample Course List

  1. Maimonides and Maimonideans.
  2. Jewish Philosophers in their Islamic and Christian Contexts.
  3. Science, God, and the Meaning of Life in Medieval Jewish Thought.
  4. The Beginning of Modern Jewish Thought: Moses Mendelssohn and the Discovery of Judaism as a World Religion.
  5. Ethical Monotheism: The Religious Thought of Hermann Cohen, its Roots, and its Consequences.
  6. Jewish Existentialism: The 20th Century Turn from Idea to Life – Buber, Rosenzweig, and Levinas.
  7. Introduction to Early Hasidism: History and Theology.
  8. Introduction to Kabbalah (The Book of Zohar and Jewish Mysticism).

 

Contact Information

International School
Bar-Ilan University
Ramat-Gan, Israel 5290002
Tel: +972-3-738-4245
Email for further information
Intl.info@biu.ac.il

 

Requirements for Track A

Pre-requirement:
Finished B.A. degree either in Jewish Philosophy or in General Philosophy.
For applicants with degrees in other fields additional complementary courses are required.

12 hours of coursework 
divided like this
4 hours in two M.A. seminars (including writing of seminar papers),
8 hours in M.A. lectures.

Languages: basic knowledge of one foreign language in addition to English

Obligatory participation in the department’s colloquium and regular meetings with the thesis adviser

Writing of the thesis
Final examination based on the subject of the thesis and related literature

 

Requirements for Track B

Pre-requirement: finished B.A. degree either in Jewish Thought or in General Philosophy.
For applicants with degrees in other fields additional complementary courses are required

18 hours of coursework, divided like this:

4 hours in three M.A. seminars (including writing of seminar papers),

14 hours of  courses 

2 hours that could be taken in another department
(after consultation with the head of department)

Obligatory participation in the department’s colloquium