Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World

An emphasis is placed on the detailed study of primary evidence for both Judaism and Christianity in the first and early second centuries CE. You will therefore require a good existing knowledge of both Hebrew and Greek.

The structure and content of the course ensures that you have the opportunity to pay equal attention to the history and primary texts of both religious traditions. The following two core modules examine the literature, history, and institutions of each tradition:

• Judaism from 200 BCE to 200 CE
• Christianity to 200 CE

You choose to specialise in one further theme within each tradition. In the case of Judaism, these themes are:

• Jewish Historiography
• Jewish Bible Interpretation
• Jewish Eschatology
• Jewish Wisdom Literature.

In the case of Christianity, these themes are:

• The Gospels and the Historical Jesus
• The Acts and the Pauline Corpus
• The Apostolic Fathers
• The Apologists.

You may choose a dissertation research topic which explores a facet of one or other tradition or inter-relating aspects of the two traditions in the period.

The Oxford Faculties of Theology and Religion and of Oriental Studies, together with Oxford’s wider library resources and collections, provide an unmatched research environment for the study of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World. Many graduates of this course have found their in-depth engagement with the Jewish background to early Christianity an excellent preparation for doctoral study in New Testament, in the history of religions in the early Roman Empire and in Jewish studies.

Assessment consists of:

• two written exams on the literature, history, and institutions of Judaism or Christianity;
• two further written exams consisting of essay questions and passages for translation and comment from set texts relating to your chosen themes in both Judaism and Christianity;
• a 20,000-word dissertation on a topic in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World; and
• an oral examination (viva voce) on your dissertation topic and wider knowledge of Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World, unless individually dispensed by the examiners.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, in conjunction with the Faculty of Oriental Studies, and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Theology and Religion and Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Given the selective admission and consequent small numbers of students on this course, it is difficult to offer general statistics about graduate destinations as each case is distinctive.

The great majority of graduates of the MPhil in Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World go on to pursue doctoral research at Oxford or another leading university, in either Jewish studies, New Testament or early Christianity. A few recent graduates have pursued careers in fields including academic administration and teaching, eg secondary school or English as a Foreign Language.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Theology and Religion

Applied Theology MTh

Applied Theology PGDip

Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World MPhil

Philosophical Theology MPhil

Philosophical Theology MSt

Study of Religions MSt

Theology MPhil

Theology MSt

Theology BTh

Theology and Religion DPhil

Theology and Religion PGDip

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Entry requirements