Biblical Studies

Specialisation of: Theology and Religious Studies
Degree: MA in Theology and Religious Studies
Mode of Study: Full-time, part-time
Duration: 1 year
Start date: September, February
Language of instruction: English
Location: Leiden
Croho/isat code: 60824
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The Biblical Studies specialisation of the Master’s Programme in Religious Studies offers a unique opportunity to study the Bible (Hebrew Bible and New Testament) in its historical, material and literary context. A core programme focusing on key documents, a flexible programme of individual choice and the master’s thesis supplement one another and make sure that every student receives the best benefit from the many resources Leiden University can offer.

Programme

1. Common Course

2. Compulsory Courses. Each students chooses 3 courses from the following:

  • Foundations of early Christian tradition (Jesus and Paul),
  • Judaism in the Graeco-Roman world,
  • The archaelogy of the biblical world,
  • Literature and religion of ancient Israel,
  • Hebrew bible and its reception in the Hellenistic and Roman periods,
  • Hellenistic religions

3. Elective Courses. Choice out of a wide selection of

  • thematic courses (e.g. Classics, Epigraphy, Archeology, Near Eastern cultures and languages)
  • languages (apart from Latin, Greek and Hebrew, other Semitic languages and Coptic are offered)
  • field work or
  • independent literature study

4. MA thesis

For a description of the programme structure and the objectives, see the e-Prospectus under ‘Information’.

The e-Prospectus also offers the most up-to-date course overview.

Thesis subjects

What are the thesis’s subjects?

Some recent examples of excellent thesis:

  • Ellen van der Heide, The Function of the Stepped Pools in the Late Second Temple Period (2010)
  • Dominique Bentvelsen, A Critical Edition of the Psalm of Solomon 5, with introduction (2010)
  • Marije Verkerk, Defining the Self: Religious Narratives (2010)
  • Willemijn Rinnooy Kan, Learning to believe in diversity. Religious education as a tool to reverse the decline in social capital in the Netherlands. (2010)
  • Peter Geerlings, Becoming Christian. Background and motives for Iranians in the Netherlands leaving Islam (2010)
  • Dave R. Prins, The Role of Religion and Ritual in Community. Rebuilding Post-Natural Disaster (2010)
  • Lydia C. Bakker, Perceptions of Child’s Disability in Moroccan Context: Peligious Perspectives (2010)
  • Carola Dahmen, Moving Impairments in the New Testament (2010)