Yiddish Field in MA Program

Our newly established MA field in Yiddish Studies is one of a kind in Canada. Students are admitted to the graduate studies in the German department, and can choose to focus on Yiddish language, literature and culture. Students must also apply for the collaborative graduate program at the Centre for Jewish Studies.

The M.A. degree usually takes one academic session (September to May) to complete. The minimum program requirements are seven semester courses (each of about 12-13 weeks duration).

Students enrolled in the Yiddish field have to take the following four semester-long courses. Other courses should be chosen in consultation with the department.

GER1050H Methods in Yiddish Studies
This is the core course for the field of Yiddish Studies, focusing on methods of analysis of major literary, historical, religious, and sociological texts created in Yiddish language from 1500 until 2000. Conducted both in Yiddish (reading) and English (discussion), the students are trained both in advanced understanding of theYiddish civilization as well as howYiddish societies incorporated cultures of neighbouring communities.The texts analyzed will include Tsena Urena (1616) (Woman’s Companion to the Bible), stories by Nakhman from Bratslav (1700s), works by Alexander Abramovich, Sholem Rabinowitch, Itskhok Perets, Dovid Bergelson, Yankev Gladshtein, and others.

GER2050H Yiddish Research Paper

GER1000H F German Studies Seminar: Culture, Theory, Text R 2-4
Instructors: Team taught OH 323 
This team-taught course will cover some of the seminal debates in theory relevant to advanced students of German. Students will be introduced to key theory texts. They will be confronted with processes of problem-formation in theoretical writing; they will have the opportunity to weigh different kinds of theory debates against one another; they will familiarize themselves with the components and structure of theoretical argument.

CJS1000 Jewish Studies “Masters” Seminar
This year-long, half-credit course exposes students to advanced methods employed in understanding texts, contexts, and concepts in the main areas of Jewish Studies. A diverse team of scholars from a range of academic disciplines will model methods such as textual exegesis and criticism; history of interpretation; social history; cultural studies; comparative approaches; and analysis of philosophical and theological problems and arguments. Students will write three short responses each semester to specific presentations and participate in group discussions after the scheduled guest lectures.