The PhD Program in Near Eastern Studies offers four specialized concentrations designed to provide focused study within the broader field: Hebrew Bible/Northwest Semitics, Near Eastern Art and Archaeology, Assyriology, and Egyptology. Each concentration shapes the trajectory of doctoral study, determining course selections, language requirements, and comprehensive examination topics.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify their intended concentration at the time of application. While faculty advisors work collaboratively with students throughout their graduate career, the concentration chosen upon admission establishes the foundational framework for the students’ doctoral journey. This structure ensures that candidates develop the specific linguistic competencies, methodological skills, and scholarly expertise necessary for original research and professional advancement in their chosen area of specialization.
This page includes detailed descriptions of each concentration, including core curricular requirements, recommended language sequences, and guidance on selecting a dissertation advisor aligned with your research interests.
Hebrew Bible and Northwest Semitics
The concentration in Hebrew Bible/Northwest Semitics provides students with the philological tools to be able to study the Hebrew Bible in its original languages (Classical Hebrew, Aramaic), as well as analyzing the various textual witnesses to the Hebrew Bible via primary texts in languages including Greek, Qumran, Hebrew, Syriac or Latin.
The study of the Masoretic Text of the Hebrew Bible forms the core of the program. Students read a wide variety of texts in Hebrew each semester. The three-year cycle of courses includes Archaic Biblical Poetry, Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomistic History, Prophetic Literature , Wisdom Literature , and Persian Period Texts. Common methodologies include textual criticism, historical linguistics, literary criticism, and the application of socio-scientific methods.
Along with additional language training, students are also trained in epigraphic methods (both conventional and digital) through dedicated courses covering epigraphic Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, and Moabite.
To become broadly trained scholars, Hebrew Bible/Northwest Semitic concentrators study the history, literature, cultures, and religions of Egypt, Syria, Israel, and Mesopotamia. All students complete a three-year Near Eastern history cycle: a year each of Egyptian history, Mesopotamian history, and Syro-Palestinian history.
Specific requirements
This concentration requires additional training in cognate languages. In addition to a minor concentration language (two to three years of Akkadian and/or Egyptian), students must also master other languages in the Northwest Semitic language family, especially Aramaic and Ugaritic. Most graduate students entering the program have already studied some Aramaic (typically Biblical Aramaic and/or Targumic Aramaic).
All students in Hebrew Bible/Northwest Semitics are strongly encouraged to study material culture. Our department does not sponsor any excavations in Israel, but our graduate students participate in excavations of our colleagues working in Israel.
Comprehensive exam topics
- Hebrew Bible
- Biblical Criticism
- Syro-Palestinian History
- Translation of their minor language
Near Eastern Art and Archaeology
The concentration in the archaeology or art of the Near East examines the material culture of southwest Asia from the Neolithic to Roman periods, with particular emphasis on socio-political, economic, and ideological variables and their relation to societal structure and change. Students may pursue a program with a specialization in either archaeology or art. Regardless of which specialization is chosen, students will become familiar with archaeological and anthropological theory and method in addition to the Near Eastern evidence.
Students are also expected to become familiar with ancient Near Eastern language and history because the material culture data will be considered within the context of ancient Near Eastern studies. Students can also choose to focus on applications of spatial technologies in archaeology, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite imagery mapping, and geoarchaeology (see non-language minor information in specific requirements).
Specific requirements
As part of their major area of study, Near Eastern archaeology and art students are expected to take archaeology and art history seminars offered by the department in consultation with their adviser. Near Eastern art students are also expected to take classes in art historical methods and theories offered by the Department of the History of Art.
Students will pursue two minors, at least one of which will consist of a minor in language.
- All students will be responsible for a minor in one ancient language, e.g., Akkadian, Biblical Hebrew, Egyptian. A second language minor is also possible in lieu of the non-language minor.
- For a non-language minor, students can choose to focus on the archaeology or art of an area other than their major area (e.g., Egyptian archaeology); they may create a minor through selected courses in other departments; or they may choose to focus on applications of spatial technologies in archaeology (i.e. GIS, satellite imagery, GPS mapping).
Strongly suggested fieldwork participation and museum research internships.
Comprehensive exams
For archaeology students
- Archaeological method and theory
- Archaeology of the Near East
- Language
- Non-language minor
For art students
- Art history and method
- Art and architecture of the Near East
- Language
- Non-language minor
Assyriology
The graduate program in Assyriology provides students with the training to read cuneiform tablets written in the Akkadian and Sumerian languages that were written over a period of 3,000 years in ancient Mesopotamia and elsewhere in the Near East.
Students will develop essential philological skills; a deep familiarity with the ancient textual record; and a knowledge of historical, literary, and linguistic theory.
Specific requirements
Assyriology students take at least one course in Akkadian each semester. Through these courses and independent study, students cover a wide variety of dialects and genres, such as Old Akkadian; Old Babylonian letters, documents, and inscriptions; Standard Babylonian literary and religious texts; Assyrian dialects; and peripheral dialects.
Assyriology students take at least one course in Sumerian each semester. Through these courses and independent study, students cover a wide variety of dialects and genres, such as Old Sumerian, Gudea, Ur III texts, Old Babylonian literary texts and royal inscriptions, and later bilinguals.
Assyriology students take the three-year cycle of seminars in Ancient Near Eastern History, at least one course in ancient Near Eastern art or archaeology each semester, and at least one course in a minor language corresponding to their particular interests each semester.
Comprehensive exams
- Akkadian
- Sumerian
- Mesopotamian History and Culture
- Minor Language
Egyptology
The concentration in Egyptology allows students to pursue a concentration in philology or art and archaeology. Regardless of which concentration is chosen, study of the various stages of the Egyptian language is essential. Since a proper appreciation of Egyptian civilization must be based on a familiarity with both the textual and material remains, the students in both programs are strongly encouraged to acquire a broad background in language, art, and archaeology.
Specific requirements
A Philology concentration must include a second Near Eastern language.
In the Art and Archaeology program, the minor field may be the archaeology and history of another old world ancient civilization, e.g., Near Eastern or Classical. Such a minor should also include courses in anthropology, materials science, or other departments.
Those interested in Late Period Egypt are further advised to acquire a reading knowledge of ancient Greek, although this is not a prerequisite for admission to the graduate program. Art and Archaeology majors are required to do either archaeological fieldwork or a museum internship during their residency years.
Comprehensive exam topics
- Old Egyptian and Coptic
- Middle and Late Egyptian
- Demotic
- Minor Language