# Jewish Languages and Literatures, PhD

**Source**: https://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/arts-sciences/full-time-residential-programs/degree-programs/jewish-studies/jewish-languages-literatures-phd/
**Parent**: https://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/programs/

//<![CDATA[
var defshow = "text";
var bodycontainer = "#body";
var validhashes = ",text,admissiontext,requirementstext,";
if(window.location.hash.length) {
var hash = cleanHash(window.location.hash);
if(validhashes.indexOf("," + hash + ",") != -1)
defshow = hash;
}
var ss = document.styleSheets;
var workss = null;
for(var i=0; i < ss.length; i++) {
var currmedia = "";
if (typeof ss[i].media == "string")
currmedia = ss[i].media
else if (typeof ss[i].media == "object" && ss[i].media.mediaText)
currmedia = ss[i].media.mediaText;
if((currmedia == "screen" || currmedia == "all") && (ss[i].href.indexOf("/") == 0 || ss[i].href.indexOf(document.location.host) >= 0)) {
workss = ss[i];
break;
}
}
if(workss && workss.insertRule) {
workss.insertRule(".tab\_content { display: none; }", workss.cssRules.length)
workss.insertRule(".sectionheader { display: none; }", workss.cssRules.length)
workss.insertRule("#" + defshow + "container { display: block; }", workss.cssRules.length)
} else if(workss && workss.addRule) {
workss.addRule(".tab\_content", "display: none");
workss.addRule(".sectionheader", "display: none");
workss.addRule("#" + defshow + "container", "display: block");
}
else {
if (window.console)
window.console.log('screen.css <link> needs attribute media="screen"');
}
//]]>

The Hebrew and Yiddish subdivision offers a PhD program in Jewish Languages and Literatures. The program offers a philological, historical, and critical approach to Yiddish and Hebrew literatures. More information about the program, requirements, and exams can be found in the [Hebrew and Yiddish Subdivision Handbook](https://krieger.jhu.edu/modern-languages-literatures/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2022/08/Hebrew-and-Yiddish-Handbook-2022.pdf) or on the [Modern Languages and Literatures (MLL) website.](https://krieger.jhu.edu/modern-languages-literatures/about/resources/)

## Admission Requirements

More information about admission to the program can be found on the [Admissions page](https://krieger.jhu.edu/modern-languages-literatures/admissions/).

### Admission Prerequisite

Language proficiency in either modern Hebrew or Yiddish (determined at the admission stage).

## Requirements

The PhD program in Jewish Languages and Literatures requires all students to take at least four graduate seminars (or their equivalent) within [the section of Hebrew and Yiddish courses offered by the Modern Languages and Literatures (MLL)](https://e-catalogue.jhu.edu/course-descriptions/modern_languages___literatures/). In addition, students are required to take at least four Jewish Studies courses offered outside of MLL. By the end of their second year, students will have completed 12 seminars for credit. If needed, students will continue to enroll in advanced language courses.

More information about the program, requirements, and exams can be found in the [Hebrew and Yiddish Subdivision Handbook](https://krieger.jhu.edu/modern-languages-literatures/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2022/08/Hebrew-and-Yiddish-Handbook-2022.pdf) or on the [MLL website.](https://krieger.jhu.edu/modern-languages-literatures/about/resources/)

### Comprehensive Reading Exam

By the end of their first year, students will have developed - together with Professors Stahl and Spinner - a reading list to prepare for their Comprehensive Reading Exam, which will take place at the end of their third year.

### Qualifying Paper and Prospectus

All students must submit one qualifying paper and a brief dissertation prospectus. The qualifying paper should be article-length (no more than 8,000 words) and suitable for publication in a leading journal in the relevant field. The dissertation prospectus should be 10 pages long, offer a statement of the problem to be addressed and a rationale for its importance, situate the dissertation within existing scholarship, and provide a brief sketch of the chapters as well as a first bibliography.

### Fourth and Fifth Years

The fourth and fifth years of the program are devoted entirely to the dissertation. Students who have successfully fulfilled all degree requirements are relieved of all teaching responsibilities in the fourth year and are encouraged to go abroad to conduct dissertation research. Further information on degree requirements can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook.

### Professional Training

Professional training is an essential part of our graduate program. A supervised teaching apprenticeship is required of degree candidates. In some years, this may involve apprenticing alongside a professor in class. Training may also include serving as a research or editorial assistant.