Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Classical and Near Eastern Studies Ph.D.Classical and Near Eastern Religions and Cultures
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies, 245 Nicholson Hall, 216 Pillsbury Dr. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-5353; fax: 612-624-4894)
Email:
cnes@umn.edu
Website: http://cnes.cla.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Classical and Near Eastern Studies (CNES) is an interdisciplinary department that brings together faculty and graduate students who might in other settings be dispersed among a wide range of programs. CNES is dedicated to rigorous philological and literary training and to the conviction that the ancient Mediterranean world is best studied as a diverse but richly integrated cultural whole. The various Master's and Ph.D. tracks allow students to concentrate in the area and period that most appeal to them, but students are strongly encouraged to take courses across the entire range of the department's offerings and to develop a broad, multidisciplinary approach to research and teaching. Students entering the PhD program with an master's can usually receive credit for some earlier coursework, subject to the approval of the graduate faculty and University requirements. Related special facilities include the Center for Medieval Studies, the Center for Jewish Studies, and the Consortium for the Study of the Pre-Modern World.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
In addition to the online University application, applicants must complete the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies application on the ApplyYourself site (also available for download on the department website); other supporting materials, including recommendations and a writing sample, can be uploaded directly into the University's online application. For nonnative speakers of English, a copy of TOEFL results is required. Students may be admitted in any academic term, but financial assistance is normally available only to applicants admitted for fall semester.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
34 to 35
credits are required in the major.
12 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
Language Requirement: German and a second modern research language.
A minimum GPA of 3.50
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Required Coursework
All students must taken the following 1-credit course:
CNRC 5794 {Inactive}
(1.0 cr)
Doctoral Thesis Credits
All students must take at least 24 doctoral thesis credits.
CNRC 8888 - Thesis Credits: Doctoral
(1.0-24.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Classics
The Classics track requires extensive advanced work in both Latin and Greek, together with some study in a related field or area of interest. The program requires nearly equal emphasis on courses and seminars in Greek and in Latin.
Language Requirements: German, plus another modern language, preferably French or Italian, as well as reading proficiency in both Greek and Latin, as demonstrated by a departmental examination based on a set reading list.
Required Language Coursework (24 credits)
Language Courses (21 credits)
Take at least 9 credits of Greek and 9 credits of Latin for a total of 18 credits. Of the 18 credits, at least half must be from Greek or Latin seminar courses (6 seminar credits from one language and 3 seminar credits from the other). In addition, select at least 3 elective credits to complete the 21-credit language course requirement. 51xx and 52xx courses cannot be applied to this requirement.
GRK 5xxx
GRK 8xxx
GRK 8910 - Seminar
(3.0 cr)
LAT 8910 - Seminar
(3.0 cr)
Required Art or Archaeology Coursework (3 credits)
Take at least 3 credits from the following course list, or in consultation with the director of graduate studies:
ANTH 8004 - Foundations of Anthropological Archaeology
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 8112 - Reconstructing Hominin Behavior
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 8230 - Anthropological Research Design
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 8244 - Interpreting Ancient Bone
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 8510 - Topics in Archaeology
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5027W - Archaeology of Prehistoric Europe
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5221 - Anthropology of Material Culture
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5269 - Analysis of Stone Tool Technology
(4.0 cr)
ANTH 5401 - The Human Fossil Record
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5402 - Zooarchaeology Laboratory
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5980 - Topics in Anthropology
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5448 - Applied Heritage Management
(3.0 cr)
ARTH 5xxx
ARTH 8xxx
Required Ancient History Coursework (6 credits)
Take at least 6 credits in Ancient History, in consultation with the director of graduate studies.
CNES 5xxx
CNES 8xxx
Electives
Select at least 3 elective credits as needed, in consultation with the advisor, to complete the 34-credit minimum for the major.
Outside Coursework (12 credits)
Take at least 12 credits, selected in consultation with the advisor, to meet the outside credit requirement.
Religions of Antiquity
Required Coursework (9 credits)
Take the following courses for a total of 9 credits:
RELS 8190 - Comparative Seminar in Religions in Antiquity
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8513 - Scripture and Interpretation
(3.0 cr)
RELS 5001 - Theory and Method in the Study of Religion: Critical Approaches to the Study of Religion
(3.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (12 credits)
All students take at least 12 credits outside the major, in consultation with the adviser. Outside coursework should comprise courses in languages or topics outside the primary concentration area, and can include relevant coursework from Anthropology; Art History; English; Gender, Women, & Sexuality Studies; History; Medieval Studies; or Philosophy.
ANTH 5xxx
ANTH 8xxx
ARTH 5xxx
ARTH 8xxx
ENGL 5xxx
ENGL 8xxx
HIST 5xxx
HIST 8xxx
GWSS 5xxx
GWSS 8xxx
PHIL 5xxx
PHIL 8xxx
Concentration Areas
Select one of the two following concentration areas. In addition, select a primary language of competence, and at least one secondary language of competence.
Ancient Near East and Hebrew Bible
This concentration area focuses on the religions, literatures, and cultures of Mesopotamia, Canaan, and Israel from the 2nd millennium BCE to the arrival of Roman rule in the first century BCE. The required primary language is Hebrew. Secondary language options are Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic, or Greek.
Concentration Area Coursework (24 credits)
Courses are chosen from the following list, or in consultation with the adviser, based on concentration area and comparative themes for doctoral examinations.
CNES 5070 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNES 5080 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8530 - Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean World
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8550 - Gender and Body in Ancient Religion
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8570 - Readings in Religious Texts
(3.0 cr)
HEBR 5200 - Advanced Classical Hebrew
(3.0 cr)
RELS 5013W - Biblical Law and Jewish Ethics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 4049 - Religion and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5027W - Archaeology of Prehistoric Europe
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5446 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 5204 - The Dead Sea Scrolls
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 5502W - Ancient Israel: From Conquest to Exile
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
GRK 5200 - Advanced Readings in Greek Prose
(3.0 cr)
GRK 8400 - Readings in Patristic Greek
(3.0 cr)
HEBR 5300 - Post-Biblical Hebrew: Second Temple Period
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5053 - Doing Roman History: Sources, Methods, and Trends
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5614 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
HIST 8110 - Medieval History: Research Seminar
(3.0 cr)
HIST 8930 - Topics in Ancient History
(1.0-4.0 cr)
LAT 5200 - Advanced Readings in Latin Prose
(3.0 cr)
-OR-
Greek and Roman Relgions, Formative Judaism, and Early Christianity
This concentration area focuses on the religions, literatures, and cultures of Greece, Rome and the Mediterranean world, with potential focal points in Egypt, Asia Minor, or Syria-Palestine. It centers on the period from Alexander the Great to Marcus Aurelius, and encompasses Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, including New Testament literature. The required primary language is Greek or Latin. Secondary language options are Hebrew, Aramaic, Copic, Greek, or Latin.
Concentration Area Coursework (24 credits)
Courses are chosen from the following list, or in consultation with the advisor, based on concentration area and comparative themes for doctoral examinations.
CNES 5070 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNES 5080 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8530 - Religions of the Ancient Mediterranean World
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8550 - Gender and Body in Ancient Religion
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 8570 - Readings in Religious Texts
(3.0 cr)
HEBR 5200 - Advanced Classical Hebrew
(3.0 cr)
RELS 5013W - Biblical Law and Jewish Ethics
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 4049 - Religion and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5027W - Archaeology of Prehistoric Europe
[HIS, WI]
(3.0 cr)
ANTH 5446 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 5204 - The Dead Sea Scrolls
(3.0 cr)
CNRC 5502W - Ancient Israel: From Conquest to Exile
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
GRK 5200 - Advanced Readings in Greek Prose
(3.0 cr)
GRK 8400 - Readings in Patristic Greek
(3.0 cr)
HEBR 5300 - Post-Biblical Hebrew: Second Temple Period
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5053 - Doing Roman History: Sources, Methods, and Trends
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5614 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
HIST 8110 - Medieval History: Research Seminar
(3.0 cr)
HIST 8930 - Topics in Ancient History
(1.0-4.0 cr)
LAT 5200 - Advanced Readings in Latin Prose
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 1.0 -24.0 [max 100.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 30.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 30.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 5112/Anth 8112 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 5244/8244 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 3027W/Anth 5027W/Hist 306 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 3401/Anth 5401 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 5513W/JwSt 5513W/RelS 551 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | RelS 3001/5001/5521 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 8570/RelS 8070 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | JwSt 3013W/Cnes 3016W/RelS 301 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 4049/RelS 4049 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 3027W/Anth 5027W/Hist 306 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3204/RelS5204/JwSt 3204/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3502W/Hist 3502/RelS 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 8570/RelS 8070 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | JwSt 3013W/Cnes 3016W/RelS 301 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 4049/RelS 4049 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Anth 3027W/Anth 5027W/Hist 306 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3204/RelS5204/JwSt 3204/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CNES 3502W/Hist 3502/RelS 3502 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 16.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |