The English Department at the Hebrew University offers a dynamic and prestigious program for the systematic study of Anglophone literatures. Our focus is on the British and American traditions supplemented by insights into South African, Canadian and Irish literatures. We pride ourselves on the high level of our Seminars and on the international reputation of our researchers.
Discussions of the artistic achievements of literary works, along with the issues that the works raise, create an enriching intellectual experience conducive to high-quality writing on a variety of subjects.
Students come to the department with a broad range of interests and aspirations; some students view academia as their calling while others complement vocational studies in law, business or psychology with the development of language and writing skills and an education in the humanities, which greatly contribute to their personal and professional development.
In the first year of studies the emphasis is on introductory courses in literary genres, close text analysis, English proficiency, and academic writing. In the second year the emphasis moves to courses on literature in the historical perspective, with the development of research skills being added to that of writing skills. During the third year the students are offered a variety of more specialized elective courses, dealing with theoretical issues or with specific writers and periods.
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The seminars offered in our MA programme showcase our faculty’s strengths and latest research interests.
Research Track: Over the course of two years, students in the research track will take the two obligatory courses and 20 elective credits. At least one course must cover the period before 1800. Students in the research track are required to write a thesis by the end of the second year of their M.A. studies. After submitting the thesis, the student will take a written integrative exam on a question of general importance in literary criticism.
Non-research Track: Students with an 80 average in undergraduate studies in the English Department will be admitted to the non-research track. Over the course of two years, students in this track will take the two obligatory courses and 32 elective credits. At least one course must cover the period before 1800. In two of the courses, they will write seminar papers.
For more information, please contact the graduate studies advisor, Dr. Yael Levin (yael.levin@mail.huji.ac.il)
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Every year, the English Department offers its BA, MA and Doctoral students a variety of bursaries and prizes, in addition to scholarships for fully funded study trips abroad (England, Ireland, California). Below is a select list of prizes offered in recent years.
A substantial scholarship for graduate students who intend to write an MA thesis or a PhD dissertation on Joseph Conrad. The prize (consisting of a monthly stipend) will go to the author of the best essay on Joseph Conrad. For details check the call for applications or contact yael.levin@mail.huji.ac.il
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The Beckett is a prestigious essay competition for graduate students to attend the Samuel Beckett Summer School at Trinity College Dublin. From the school’s website:
The Samuel Beckett Summer School provides a unique experience for students, scholars and lovers of Beckett’s works. Each year we invite the world’s foremost Beckett scholars to present new lectures and seminars on all aspects of Beckett’s works. The School appeals to a wide range of Beckett enthusiasts by providing the opportunity to experience, savour and study Beckett’s works in the university where he began his intellectual life.
For more information contact Dr. Ruben Borg (ruben.borg@mail.huji.ac.il).
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The Dickens Project is a joint activity of eight campuses of the University of California and a few other Universities, in and outside the United States. The Hebrew University was the first one outside the USA to join the consortium. The founder and long-time coordinator of the Jerusalem branch of the Dickens Project was Professor H. M. Daleski (1926–2011).
Every year, in August, a different novel by Dickens is studied in the course of a week in the framework of “The Dickens Universe,” the central activity of the Project. The week-long course is open to the public (high-school teachers, pilots, computer experts, mathematicians, psychologists, housewives, businessmen, undergraduate students) and offers university-level credit.
The participation of the Hebrew University students in the Dickens Project was made possible by the generous donations of Mrs. Shirley Collier; after her demise, the necessary funds were donated by her brother, Colonel Palmer. With the passing of Colonel Palmer, the funds for two more years have been allocated by the President of the Hebrew University.
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The prize is awarded to Graduate students for excellent work completed at undergraduate level. Winners are determined on the basis of their grade average and teacher recommendations.
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The Harris prizes are awarded in the memory of Theodore A. Harris, Professor of English literature, by his family, through the British Friends of the Hebrew University. Every year two Harris prizes are awarded: one for general excellence in the second year of undergraduate study, and one for the best essay on the novel.
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The Sheila and Danny Deutsch Annual Prize is awarded to the first-year full-time English Major Student with the best grade average in first-year English Department courses.
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The scholarships are intended for Graduate students whose research will focus on a topic of relevance to American Literature and Culture. There are two types of awards:
For details please contact the secretary of the English Department or the Department Chair.
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A sizeable one-year scholarship for doctoral students. Eligible candidates must have completed at least one year of research in the doctoral program.
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The Department of Teacher Education is pleased to advertise a number scholarships for prospective English teachers.
The scholarships are funded by Mifal Hapayis and the Ministry of Education:
Conditional upon 4 weekly hours of educational and community work in the schools in which students carry out their teaching practice.
Conditional upon 2 years of teaching in schools in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods and regions.
Students wishing to study in the Teaching Certificate program should register through the Hebrew University registration system.
Those wishing to register for the scholarships program should contact Miriam Elezra:
miriamsha@savion.huji.ac.il
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The English Department and the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University are pleased to announce a joint degree in Law and English Literature.
The degree is tailored for ambitious students who wish to combine legal studies with an in-depth reading of literary works, while honing critical skills and language proficiency. The benefits of such a programme are legion:
In addition to preparing students for a career in law, the programme allows for a specialization in the language of the international scientific community, the language of diplomacy and of international politics.
Moreover, the study of English Literature provides a rich cultural context to a degree in law. To be sure, English is not one national literature amongst many. It is a vast discipline that includes American Studies, Irish literature, South African literature, and that spans worlds as far apart as Medieval England and contemporary America. By pursuing a joint programme in Law and English Literature students will be able to draw upon a wealth of cultural knowledge in keeping with the highest standards set by the Anglo-American model of university education.
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