The Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies program – for graduate degrees

This page is updated for the academic year 2023-2024.
Information for the academic year 2024-2025 will be updated in the coming days.
 

 

Introduction                                                                      

The Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies was founded in 1999. It was the first program in Israel to offer hermeneutics and culture at the graduate level. The program offers diverse theoretical perspectives for analysis and interpretation in every sphere of human activity. The program is based on the understanding of ‘culture’ in its broadest possible sense – beyond activity traditionally associated with culture (art, literature or music) – as an ensemble of all human activity organized around language, institutions and practices. Our underlying premise is that nearly anything can be interpreted and studied as a cultural phenomenon and in a manner that integrates different perspectives. Thanks to the program’s extensive theoretical and methodological breadth, students enjoy rare freedom in choosing their research topics and how to approach them.

The Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies addresses all aspects of the cultural and hermeneutical space – theory of hermeneutics, textual analysis, analysis of institutions and social practices. All these areas engage in interpretation of facts, texts, culture and human behaviors, interfacing among the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, Judaic studies and law, with emphases expressed by elective course selection and, of course, the area of specialization in research work and directions. The program gathers together under one roof researchers whose intellectual interests generate a convergence of knowledge disciplines and different theoretical and hermeneutical tools.

The Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies are graduate studies (master’s degree and PhD), for candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree with honors and who are interested and capable of engaging in interdisciplinary studies.  Admission of candidates equipped with knowledge and thinking processes in one discipline in which they’ve excelled is an important foundation of interdisciplinary studies.

Credit requirements reflect the need for students to study knowledge areas with which they were not previously familiar and to incorporate interdisciplinary thought into their work. Courses in the program train students for such research. Students may even develop their own unique methodological tools by blending together elements from those presented in their different courses.

All applicants to the program must pass a personal interview. For research tracks (thesis-based master’s degree, PhD and the combined program) applicants must submit a short essay before their interview describing an idea to be researched (they are not committed to developing this particular idea in their actual studies).

The following degree programs are available with details shown below:

Master's Degree 

Two tracks are available:

Track A – includes research and thesis submission.

Track B – not research-based.

 

Track A –  research-based track

Target audience – holders of an undergraduate degree from a recognized university.

Admission criteria – minimum undergraduate grade point average of 85 and an interview.

Program duration and time frame for research proposal and thesis submission – as per School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations.

General requirements – Courses for a total of 14 AC (28 SC) and thesis submission and defense.

Required courses – 5 required courses for a total of 10 AC (20 SC)

Elective courses – 1 elective course for a total of 2 AC (4 SC)

Seminars – 1 seminar for a total of 2 AC (4 SC)

Colloquia – Attendance at general program colloquium mandatory (students may also attend colloquia for doctoral students specializing in hermeneutics and psychoanalysis).

Advisor – An advisor must be selected from the academic faculty of Bar-Ilan suited to the research topic and in consultation with department instructors and/or program head no later than the start of the fall semester of the second year. Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the fall semester of the second year of study.

Notes:

Students interested in the combined track for doctoral studies must begin their studies with the thesis-based master’s degree track. Only honors students may transition into the combined doctoral track (details and criteria below). Students without a minimum average of 90, may write their thesis and complete their thesis-based master’s degree, or may transition to the non-thesis track.

 

Required courses

1. Hermeneutics
2. Discourse Analysis
3. Introduction to Critical Theories
4. Theory and Criticism from Psychoanalysis through Post-Humanism
5. Sociological and Anthropological Aspects of Culture Theories

 

Scholarships
Student scholarships may be awarded based on achievements and excellence in the program.

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.
 

Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level (for details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).

In some cases, the advisor, in coordination with the departmental committee chair, may require an additional foreign language, if deemed necessary for research work.

Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).

 

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the fall semester of the second year of study.

 

Track B – non-research track

Target audience – applicants with an undergraduate degree from a recognized university.

Admission criteria – minimum undergraduate grade point average of 85 and an interview.

Program duration – See Rules and Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies 

General requirements – Total course load of 18 AC (36 SC).

Required courses – 5 required courses for a total of 10 AC (20 SC)

Elective courses – 2 elective courses for a total of 4 AC (8 SC)

Seminars – 2 seminars for a total of 4 AC (8 SC)

Colloquia – Attendance at general program colloquium mandatory (students may also attend colloquia for doctoral students specializing in hermeneutics and psychoanalysis).

 

Notes:

Master’s degree students on the non-thesis track may not enter the doctoral program until completing a thesis through the thesis completion track.

 

Required courses

1. Hermeneutics
2. Discourse Analysis
3. Introduction to Critical Theories
4. Theory and Criticism from Psychoanalysis through Post-Humanism
5. Sociological and Anthropological Aspects of Culture Theories

 

Scholarships
Student scholarships may be awarded based on achievements and excellence in the program.

Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level (for details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).

In some cases, the advisor, in coordination with the departmental committee chair, may require an additional foreign language, if deemed necessary for research work.

Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).

 

 

For further details

visit the Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies program website,

or contact by phone at 03-5317654 or via email

 

 

PhD
    

The program is intended for:

1. Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from the Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies
2. Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from outside the program – specializing in hermeneutics and culture
3. Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from outside the program – specializing in hermeneutics and psychoanalysis
4. Combined master’s-PhD track

 

1.PhD for applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from the Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies

Target audience – applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from the Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies

Admission criteria – minimum master’s degree grade point average of 87, minimum thesis grade – 90.

Program duration and time frame for research proposal and dissertation submission – as per School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations. 

General requirements – Total course load of 6 AC (12 SC) and advisor selection before the start of the second year of study.

Elective courses – 3 elective courses for a total of 6 AC (12 SC). Courses that are part of the program must be completed with a passing grade, but no final papers need be submitted. Course requirements for electives taken outside the department are at the discretion of the instructor and in consideration of the particular course.

Additional requirements – Attendance at departmental colloquia mandatory during the first 2 years in the doctoral program, and participation in workshop for doctoral students from entry into the program until one year after approval of research proposal.

PhD registration – Registration required each year through degree completion for the course ID entitled ‘doctorate’.

Advisor – An advisor must be selected from the academic faculty within the program or outside the program suited to the research topic and in consultation with department instructors and/or program head no later than the start of the fall semester of the second year of study.

 

2.Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from outside the program – specializing in hermeneutics and culture

Target audience – applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree in hermeneutics and culture from an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education.

Admission criteria – minimum master’s degree grade point average of 87, minimum thesis grade – 90.

Program duration and time frame for research proposal and dissertation submission – as per School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations. 

General requirements – Overall course load of 18 AC (36 SC) and advisor selection before the start of the second year.

Required courses – 5 required courses for a total of 10 AC (20 SC)

Elective courses – 3 elective courses for a total of 6 AC (12 SC)

Seminars – 1 seminar for a total of 2 AC (4 SC)

Additional requirements – Attendance at general departmental colloquia mandatory until completion of all coursework, and participation in workshop for doctoral students from the second year until one year after approval of research proposal.

Advisor – An advisor must be selected from the academic faculty within the program or outside the program suited to the research topic and in consultation with department instructors and/or program head no later than the start of the fall semester of the second year of study.

 

3.Applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree from outside the program – specializing in hermeneutics and psychoanalysis

Target audience – applicants with a thesis-based master’s degree in hermeneutics and culture in mental health and therapy professions from an institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education.

Admission criteria – minimum master’s degree grade point average of 87, minimum thesis grade – 90.

Program duration and time frame for research proposal and dissertation submission – as per School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations. 

General requirements – Overall course load of 18 AC (36 SC) and advisor selection before the start of the second year.

Required courses – 6 required courses for a total of 12 AC (24 SC)

Elective courses – 2 elective courses for a total of 4 AC (8 SC)

Students specializing in hermeneutics and psychoanalysis whose research proposal had been submitted to the administrative office receive a passing grade for one elective course (attendance mandatory but no final paper required), provided the course is included in the program.

Seminars – 1 seminar for a total of 2 AC (4 SC)

Additional requirements – Attendance at general departmental colloquia and the colloquia of hermeneutics and psychoanalysis mandatory until completion of all coursework, and participation in workshop for doctoral students from the second year until one year after approval of research proposal.

PhD registration – Registration required each year through degree completion for the course ID entitled ‘doctorate’.

Advisor – An advisor must be selected from the academic faculty within the program or outside the program suited to the research topic and in consultation with department instructors and/or program head no later than the start of the fall semester of the second year of study.

4.The combined master’s-PhD track

Target audience – Honors students in the thesis-based master’s degree program in Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies who are interested in doctoral work. Students deemed suitable after two years of study who have completed all required coursework in their track may submit a request for a master’s degree extension to allow writing their research proposal without the need for a thesis or thesis-equivalent paper.  After submission of the research proposal, an application for the combined PhD track may be submitted. After approval of the research proposal, student status is changed to officially enrolled PhD student.

Admission criteria – Students in the thesis-based master’s degree program for Commentary and Cultural Studies with an average grade of 90 in four required courses and one seminar in their first year – 10 AC (20 SC). Grades must be officially available by the last day of the fall semester of the second year at the latest; that is, all assignments must be submitted by the first day of the second year. A minimum overall average of 90 must be maintained for all courses – 14 AV (18 SC) – taken in the two years of the master’s degree.

Program duration and time frame for research proposal and thesis submission – as per School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations. Four courses and one seminar are required in the first year of studies, 10 AC (20 SC) with a minimum average grade of 90. The remainder of courses for a total of 4 AC are required in the second year (a fifth course and a second seminar), with a minimum average grade of 90. This is the year in which a research direction should begin to take form, including finding the right advisor. Research proposals must be submitted by the end of the spring semester of the third year of the master’s degree.

General requirements – Overall course load of 14 AC (28 SC) by the end of the second year of the program, including 5 required courses 10 AC (20 SC) and two seminars 4 AC (8 SC). After being admitted to the combined PhD program, students must take courses for a total of 6 AC (12 SC) (attendance only – no papers and no numerical grades); for courses taken outside the program, requirements are at the discretion of the instructor. Departmental colloquium and doctoral student workshop attendance required from the third year of the program.

Note – It is important to adhere to the schedule of 4 required courses and one seminar – 10 AC (20 SC) – in the first year and a total of all courses – 14 AC (28 SC) – by the end of the second year. Additionally, grades must be in for first year courses by the last day of the fall semester of the second year (that is, assignments must be submitted by the first day of the second year), and for all courses by the end of the summer break of the second year (the determining date is the day before the subsequent academic year opens).

Additional requirements – Attendance at general departmental colloquia from the first year of study and participation in the doctoral student workshop from the first year of the doctoral program, for three years.

Advisor – An advisor must be selected suited to the research topic in consultation with department instructors and/or program head no later than the start of the fall semester of the second year of study.

Research proposal – Research proposals are to be submitted during the third year of study and no later than the end of the spring semester of the third year of the master’s degree.

Required courses of the program

1. Hermeneutics
2. Discourse Analysis
3. Introduction to Critical Theories
4. Theory and Criticism from Psychoanalysis through Post-Humanism
5. Sociological and Anthropological Aspects of Culture Theories
6. Hermeneutics and Post-Modernism: Psychoanalytic Perspectives (required for the hermeneutics and psychoanalysis track)

 

Scholarships

Student scholarships may be awarded based on achievements and excellence in the program.

Guidelines for dissertation and research proposal

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.

Language proficiency

Graduate (PhD-level) English (for details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).

In some cases, the advisor, in coordination with the departmental committee chair, may require an additional foreign language, if deemed necessary for research work.

Jewish studies

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).

 

For further details

visit the Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies program website,

or contact the department by phone at 03-5317654 or via email