Religious Studies

freedom of religion or belief

Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean (RAM)

Courses Ethan

Description

RAM students focus on the interdisciplinary study of religion throughout the ancient Mediterranean and Near-East. Choosing both a major and a relate minor area, students examine ancient religions synchronically, understanding how they formed and functioned in their social, intellectual, and political contexts. Students may choose as either a major or minor field work in:

  • Israelite religion
  • Judean religion (Judaism) from the fifth century BCE to first century CE
  • Judean religion (Judaism) from the first century CE to the seventh century CE (including rabbinics and/or the Greco-Roman Diaspora)
  • Greek religion
  • Roman religion
  • Early Christianity (first-fourth centuries CE)
  • Christianity in Late Antiquity (fourth-seventh centuries CE)
  • Early Islam

In addition to these, students may choose as a minor field only:

  • Egyptian religion;
  • Mesopotamian religion

Admissions

Most successful applicants to RAM come with an MA in a related field, although exceptionally promising BA students with significant undergraduate study in appropriate areas are also considered for admission. Students are expected to have had some training in the academic study of religion. Students intending to specialize in any aspect of ancient Israelite or Judean religion (Judaism) must have a minimum of two years of college level biblical Hebrew or its equivalent; a working knowledge of modern and rabbinic Hebrew and introductory ancient Greek are also highly desirable. Students intending to specialize in some aspect of early Christianity, or Greek, or Roman religion, should have college level training in Greek or Latin, and ideally both. Preference will be given to RAM applicants who have appropriate prior study of Greek (and other appropriate languages) and a reading knowledge of French or German, as well as prior work in the history, literature and religions of the ancient Mediterranean.

Coursework

During the first year, students, in consultation with the RAM advisor and other appropriate faculty, design a curriculum that allows for exploration while remaining appropriately focused towards the student’s primary interests. RELS 2000, which is taught every other year, should be taken as soon as possible. At the end of the first year, students choose both a major and minor field and will be assigned an advisory committee in accordance with their focus. This advisory committee may or may not be identical to the student’s eventual dissertation committee.
Students are expected to complete at least three seminars (or independent studies) in the major field and two in the minor field. All coursework must be completed prior to being allowed to sit for the Preliminary Examination.

Qualifying Requirements for the Preliminary Examination

These depend upon the student’s specific areas of interest, but always include language training, RELS 2000, and appropriate preparation in the sources and methods of the areas of focus. Students should discuss the expectations for their particular areas with the RAM advisor and other appropriate faculty as soon as possible.

Language Requirements

Required ancient languages are determined according to the student’s field, in consultation with the student’s advisory committee. All major fields require knowledge of Greek. Israelite religion and all periods of Judaism also require proficiency in ancient Hebrew, and knowledge of Aramaic; early Islam requires proficiency in Arabic. Students studying Christianity are ordinarily expected to learn Latin and/or Coptic or Syriac in addition to proficiency in Greek. Diagnostic examinations are ordinarily given to entering students in Greek, Latin, Hebrew and other languages as appropriate, typically consisting of a three-hour translation test in which lexical aids may be used. Students may be asked to retake one or more of these examinations annually until they have achieved an adequate level of competence, as determined by the faculty. In some cases, advanced (graduate level) coursework, with a grade of B or better, may satisfy the requirement, at the discretion of the faculty. All language requirements should be completed by the end of the student’s second year (third if the student entered without an M.A.), and must be fulfilled prior to sitting for the Preliminary Examination.