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Comparative Literature and Jewish Studies

Requirements for Transfer into the Jewish Studies Combined Ph.D. Program

Students in the first or second year of their degree study in French, History, Religious Studies, Comparative Literature, or Philosophy, wishing to transfer into the combined Ph.D. in Jewish Studies, should submit a departmental transfer request form and a two- to three-page statement of interest to the DGS of Jewish Studies in which they describe why they wish to pursue the combined Ph.D. Students applying for transfer into the combined Ph.D. program must already have taken JDST 6500, Introduction to Jewish Studies, or be taking it in the term of application; must provide a plan outlining the Jewish studies courses already taken and those they will take; and must submit a research statement that explains how the combined Ph.D. will advance their research interests. Students must provide two letters of recommendation: one from their adviser in the joint partnering department or program (unless that adviser is jointly appointed with Jewish Studies, in which case a letter from the student’s DGS in the partnering department or program is required) and a second letter from a faculty member in Jewish Studies who commits to being the student’s adviser throughout the completion of the dissertation.

Students must apply by December 1, which is the deadline for the Jewish Studies department’s annual admissions cycle. Applications will receive a faculty vote early in the spring term, and results will be communicated to the student no later than spring break.

Coursework

Students in this combined degree program must complete at least fourteen graduate-level courses, including the Comparative Literature proseminar. In addition to fulfilling all of Comparative Literature’s standard distribution requirements, at least two of the fourteen courses will have a strong focus on Jewish literature. Students who wish to focus on Hebrew literature also need to take at least two of their graduate courses on modern Hebrew literature specifically.

Languages

Students in this combined program must fulfill Comparative Literature’s standard language requirement (proficiency in two languages besides English and reading competency in one further language + philological distribution requirement; for more details, see handbook). Of the two languages besides English in which they are proficient, at least one needs to be specifically related to Jewish culture. Hebrew, Yiddish, or Judeo-Arabic all fulfill this requirement. The DGS can accept other alternatives (e.g. Ladino) if appropriate to the dissertation topic. 

Orals

Students in this combined program will take their orals following Comparative Literature’s standard format and timeline. Of their six orals fields, at least three must have a strong Jewish Studies component, as assessed by the DGS of both departments. All of Comparative Literature’s regular genre and period requirements must still be met.

Prospectus

Representatives of both Jewish Studies and Comparative Literature must be present at the student’s prospectus conference as voting members and provide feedback on the project. 

Dissertation

Normally, the dissertation will be advised by at least one member of each department. At least one further member of each department will also always serve as the dissertation’s external reader. 

Funding

Students who come into this joint program with their funding provided by Jewish Studies will not have this funding withdrawn if their dissertation topic changes significantly enough that a joint degree is no longer appropriate. In those cases, they will receive a Comparative Literature degree only.