Graduate Studies
One-year M.Phil.
Candidates for the M.Phil., which forms an ideal introduction to doctoral research, start their course in October; they take a written examination in June and write a dissertation of not more than 15,000 words, to be completed by the middle of August.
It is possible to substitute an essay of 5,000 words, to be written during the course of the academic year, for any of the papers that relate to a candidate's chosen topic(s). It is also possible to choose a paper from a subject area other than Hebrew Studies. There is also the posibility of writing a dissertation of 25,000 words, in which case no papers are sat.
M. Phil. Papers
Either (a):
Classical Hebrew Studies
- Classical Hebrew texts.
- Hebrew unspecified texts, composition, and pointing.
- Semitic inscriptions.
- General paper.
- Aramaic texts.
Or (b):
Rabbinical and Medieval Hebrew Studies
- Jewish biblical exegesis.
- Medieval Hebrew poetry.
- Hebrew halakhic literature.
- The Cairo Genizah.
- Post-biblical Hebrew language.
Or (c):
Modern Hebrew Studies
- The emergence of modern Hebrew literature.
- Themes in twentieth-century Hebrew literature.
- Critical study of selected authors of the nineteenth or twentieth centuriesl
- English translation of modern Hebrew literary texts.
Ph.D. Students
We have researchers working on a wide range of topics relating to Hebrew (and related) Studies. Doctoral students at Cambridge should be in a position to start independent research at once, and are not required to attend lectures or courses, although attendance at specially appropriate lecture courses, as also at seminars is encouraged. If contemplating applying, it is useful to begin by writing to one or other of the teaching staff since this will usually save time in the long run.
