Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and Cultures

Eerste jaar

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Objectives
Programme
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

Objectives

Graduates in Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and Cultures are expected to have gained
a thorough overview of several central issues, in the light of the current state of research,
in the field of Hebrew and/or Aramaic. This applies first and foremost to the respective
languages, but also to the cultures using them as their principal means of expression.
In addition to that, his or her Master’s thesis must demonstrate that the candidate has
mastered the principal research methods of the field, especially with respect to languages
and texts, and is able to apply this knowledge to his or her own work on primary source
material. The thesis must also display the ability to critically use secondary literature and
marshal arguments in a scholarly fashion. The programme intends to provide students
with those skills necessary for embarking on PhD research. Moreover, graduates are
suitably qualified for all kinds of positions outside academia proper that require a precise
analysis, original thinking, and convincing argumentation.

Programme

Sector Plan

The Master’s programme is part of the so-called “Sector Plan” and is offered in
collaboration with the University of Amsterdam (UvA). This implies that, in principle,
Each student is obliged to take at least one elective course of 10 ects at the UvA.
For classes in the field of Aramaic, other possibilities are open on request.

Structure

The first semester of the programme consists of three courses: the course ‘Reading Source
Texts’, a class given at another university (for instance the University of Amsterdam) and
a third course to be chosen in consultation with the teaching staff of the Department.
In total, students choose two out of three options offered during the first and/or second
semester: ‘Historical Grammar of Hebrew and Aramaic’, ‘Hebrew Belles Lettres’ and
‘Cultural History of Communities Writing in Aramaic’. The course Hebrew Belles Lettres
can be replaced by another class on ‘Reading Source Texts’. It is strongly recommended
that the class ‘Historical Grammar’ is one of the courses chosen.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have completed 60 ects of course-work, including a
written thesis. The Master’s thesis carries 20 ects and generally does not exceed 17,000
words including notes, bibliography and appendices. Depending on the student’s own
preference and subject to the approval of his/her supervisor, it can be written either
in Dutch, English or another language suitable to the topic in question. The thesis is
supervised by a member of the Department of Hebrew and Aramaic Languages and
Cultures qualified to guide the student’s research. The Department makes sure that
students are brought into contact with potential supervisors already at an early stage,
preferably at the start of the programme.
Also see: hum.leiden.edu/students/regulations