Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archeology
This page is updated for the academic year 2023-2024.
Information for the academic year 2024-2025 will be updated in the coming days.
Master's Degree
Tracks
Track A – includes an M.A. thesis.
Track B – without an M.A. thesis.
Track for teachers, Ministry of Tourism tour guides, Ministry of Education certified guides and field studies teachers – without an M.A. thesis, part of Track B.
The program also has a specialization in preservation and development of landscape and cultural assets (a joint program between the Department of Geography and Environment and the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology), which is available through Track A or Track B.
Admission requirements
- Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology taken as a major or extended major at the undergraduate level.
- Students with any other undergraduate major or with Land of Israel Studies as a minor may apply, but must make up missing courses, including field trips and excavations.
- A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 80 for the thesis-based track. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 76 for the non-thesis track.
- A medical note authorizing participation in field research and trips.
Track A – including M. A. thesis
Credit and seminar requirements
From the range of courses offered, every student chooses one time-period on which s/he will concentrate,and will write a thesis. These time periods include the Biblical period, the Second Temple and Greco-Roman Period, the Medieval Period, and the Modern Period.
We offer both full-year courses, and semester courses. Usually, each full-year course is worth 2 AC (annual-based credits), equal to 4 SC (semester-based credits), and each semester course is worth 1 AC (annual-based credit), equal to 2 SC.
Students taking the 12 AC (annual-based credits) (24 SC – semester-based credits) as specified below:
In the student's primary-concentration period, the student takes:
- 1 full-year seminar course in the primary-concentration period, including writing a seminar paper, 2 AC (4SC)
- The equivalent of five semester courses in the primary-concentration period, 5 AC (10 SC). (For example, a single full-year course and three semester courses, or two full-year courses and one semester course.) These may include a seminar course in which no seminar paper is written. Nevertheless, the student must receive a grade for such a seminar course, with the course requirements determined in consultation with the instructor.
- The equivalent of four semester courses courses in other periods, or courses in other departments, 4 AC (8 SC). (For example, two full-year courses, or one full year course and 2 semester courses.) These may include a seminar course in which no seminar paper is written. Nevertheless, the student must receive a grade for the course, with the course requirements determined in consultation with the instructor.
- A semester course (1 AC, 2SC) on Interdisciplinary Research Methods, 16-025-01
The chair of the department’s graduate committee may, with the advisor’s recommendation, demand that the student take courses in other departments in the period on which the thesis focuses, if the student lacks relevant background.
Additional requirements
Field trips as an integral part of courses or a field research camp as needed and in accordance with the topic of study.
Language proficiency
- English at the master’s degree level (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
- An additional foreign language – modern or ancient (as per period of specialization), as needed, in accordance with the topic of study.
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Thesis guidelines
See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.
Final exam for the master’s degree
The final exam is based on the thesis and the bibliography on which it is based.
Research proposals should be submitted by the end of the first year of study.
Track B – non-thesis track
Credit and seminar requirements
18 AC (36 SC) as specified below. This is the equivalent of nine full-year courses.
8 AC (16 SC) in the period of primary focus, of which 4 AC (8 SC) are seminars, for which seminar papers are written. This is the equivalent of 4 full-year courses, with
5 AC (10 SC) in a second focus-period, of which 2 AC (4 SC) are a seminar.
5 AC (10 SC) elective courses from other periods that are not the periods of focus (primary or secondary).
Additional requirements
Field trips as an integral part of courses.
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Teacher track (tour guides, student tour guides and field studies teachers) – non-thesis track
Admission requirements
Undergraduate degree in the Department of Land of Israel Studies or in a related discipline, with a minimum grade point average of 76, and a teaching certificate, or tour guide certification from the Ministry of Tourism, or student tour guide certification from the Ministry of Education or a field studies teacher certification.
Students may also apply with an undergraduate major in Land of Israel studies or archaeology from another institution, or an undergraduate major in a related field, but must make up missing courses as required, including field trips and excavations.
Credit and seminar requirements
18 AC (36 SC) as specified below:
8 AC (16 SC) in the primary focus period, of which 2 AC (4 SC) are a seminar.
4 AC (8 SC) in a second focus period, of which 2 AC (4 SC) are a seminar.
4 AC (8 SC) elective courses from other periods that are not the focus period.
2 AC (4 SC) field trip participation.
Courses meet one or two days a week.
The program is recognized by the Teacher’s Association and is supported by the Yeda Foundation.
Specialization in preservation and development of landscape and cultural assets
Track A – research-based track
Credit and seminar requirements
12 AC (24 SC) as specified below:
4 AC (8 SC) applied courses.
6 AC (12 SC) theoretical courses.
2 AC (4 SC) elective courses.
Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Thesis guidelines
See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.
Final exam for the master’s degree
The final exam is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.
Research proposals should be submitted by the end of the first year of study.
Track B – non-research track
Credit and seminar requirements
18 AC (36 SC) as specified below:
4 AC (8 SC) applied courses.
7 AC (14 SC) theoretical courses.
7 AC (14 SC) elective courses.
Additional requirements
Field trips as an integral part of courses.
Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
PhD
Areas of specialization
The department allows PhD students to engage in Land of Israel studies through the ages and on a variety of topics focusing primarily in the following areas:
- Archaeology and material culture of Israel and its inhabitants during the different historical and archaeological periods.
- . Cultural, social, and military history of the dwellers in the Land of Israel and their neighbors throughout the ages.
- Historical geography of the Land of Israel, the economy of the Land of Israel, the history of its settlement and other related topics.
- Tourism and pilgrimage to the Land of Israel throughout the ages: social, economic, historical and religious perspectives.
- State of Israel studies.
- The Judean Desert scrolls.
- The history of medicine and daily life in the ancient Land of Israel.
- Women’s studies and gender studies.
- Green track – environmental planning, preservation and development.
For further details
contact the department by phone at 03-5318350, by fax at
03-6354941 or via email, or visit the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archeology website
Last Updated Date : 03/04/2024
