University of Hamburg - to research, to teach, to educate and form, to homepage
Institute for Jewish Studies
Institute for Jewish Studies

Photo: UHH/Denstorf

M.A. in Jewish Philosophy and Religion

The Master's program in Jewish Philosophy and Religion provides students with in-depth knowledge of how to deal with texts in the original language, how to critically examine religious phenomena from a historical perspective, and how to apply theoretical approaches from linguistics and cultural studies when dealing with Jewish content. Particular attention is paid to the topics of rabbinic literature, Jewish moral literature, Jewish mysticism, and Jewish philosophy.

The program promotes independent, analytical work with original language texts, historical-critical examination of religious phenomena, and the development of creative solutions to approach complex philosophical and religious studies questions.

 
Career Prospects

The Master's program qualifies graduates for a wide range of fields of activity. It qualifies graduates to pursue a doctorate and thus to conduct research at universities and to work in teaching, to work in academic libraries, especially in manuscript departments or special collections, to work in museums, in NGOs and other national and international organizations, in publishing, journalism or tourism.

 
Structure of Studies

The Master's program in Jewish Philosophy and Religion (120 credits) is divided into five module groups: two language modules, two introductory modules, three advanced modules, and the final module:

  • Language modules JPR-1 and JPR-4: Hebrew (20 credits)
  • Introductory modules JPR-2–JPR-3 Jewish Philosophy and Jewish Religion (25 credits)
  • Specialization modules JPR-5.1–5.3: Methodology of Source Studies, History of Ideas and Text Analysis (30 credits)
  • Final module: Master's thesis Module JPR-Abschluss (30 credits)

In the free elective area (15 credits), students have the opportunity to take courses offered by the institute and the Studium Generale according to their own interests. The number of hours per week is not fixed and depends on the institution offering the course. The academic advisor is responsible for recognizing the achievements.

The subject-specific provisions for the master's program can be found here.
The current version of the faculty's examination regulations applies.