Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations: Classical and Medieval Hebrew Literature

NELC's graduate program in Hebrew and Judaic Studies includes two tracks within Hebrew Literature and Jewish Tradition: (1) Post-Biblical Jewish History and Culture and (2) Modern Hebrew Literature. These tracks offer advanced study of Hebrew literature and language and Jewish culture and thought in their Near Eastern and/or Western contexts, in modern and pre-modern settings.

Students in the Hebrew Literature and Jewish Tradition program are expected to command Hebrew as a primary research language and another (usually Arabic, Greek or Yiddish) as a secondary research language. The specific distribution of courses varies by a student's interests and specialization. Students are expected to work out the broad outlines of their programs in consultation with their faculty advisor when they begin their studies.

View the department's PhD general procedures.

Offline Recommendation

Penn strongly prefers that recommenders submit letters of recommendation online through the admissions system. If, however, your recommender is unable to submit an online recommendation, please follow these instructions:

1) Select the “Recommendation Form PDF Download” and download the form.
2) Complete the first section. Be sure to include the address of the appropriate admissions office — refer to the "Contact Graduate Admissions" list below. 
3) Print out the form and provide it to your recommender.

Please note:

• If you are applying to a program in Nursing, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.
• If you are applying to a program in the School of Social Policy & Practice, print out and provide your recommender with these special instructions for completing your letter of recommendation.

4) Your recommender should send the form directly to the admissions office you designate, along with the letter of recommendation.