Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies - Ancient Mediterranean Religions

The graduate program in Religious Studies at the University of Texas is dedicated to the study of religious phenomena within particular cultural and historical contexts. At the same time, we expect research to be driven by theoretical and analytical questions and to employ the methodologies that facilitate them. Although the research agendas of our students need not be explicitly comparative, we recognize that comparison lies at the heart of our discipline and informs our theories and questions. As a result, we expect all of our students to be able to articulate comparisons across traditions, cultures, or regions; to develop knowledge of relevant theories; and to demonstrate a deep understanding of the specific social and historical contexts in which their research questions are embedded. This includes fluency in relevant languages as well as facility in at least two methodological approaches. We encourage our students to draw upon the vast theoretical, historical, and linguistic resources available in our department and throughout the rest of the University of Texas.This concentration area deals with the character and interactions of the late ancient religious traditions of the Mediterranean, including the New Testament, Early Christianity, Rabbinic Judaism, Hellenistic Judaism, and Greco-Roman culture. Students will develop primary expertise in one of the major fields listed below, and they will also do significant work in two of the others as supporting fields. There will be a strong emphasis on mastery of the requisite languages, developing appropriate theory and method, and developing connections with the broader study of religion. In addition to the relevant literatures and their historical contexts, students can receive training in archaeology and in text-criticism. The chronological span is from the Ancient Near Eastern to the Hellenistic period and from the Hellenistic-Roman to the Late Antique period. Graduates will be prepared for Religious Studies appointments that involve research and teaching in the major fields listed below.

Admission to the graduate program in Religious Studies at UT-Austin is highly competitive. Only highly qualified applicants whose records indicate considerable academic potential are admitted to the program. A prior degree in Religious Studies (B.A. or M.A.) is not required to apply to the program. All students must have earned a bachelor's degree prior to registration. In addition, note that:We admit students for the fall semester only.We only accept full-time students.We offer the M.A. as the first step toward completion of the Ph.D.; we do not offer a terminal M.A. degree.Three letters of recommendationStatement of PurposeSupporting documents - Writing Sample & CV/ResumeTranscripts. You must provide one copy of the academic transcript from every senior college you have attended. You may upload a copy of your transcript(s) after you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee. After you have submitted your application you will receive an email that contains a link to the Status Check web site where you will be able to upload your transcript. The uploaded transcript(s) is considered to be unofficial but will be used to process your application for admission. Please do not mail official transcripts or paper copies of your transcripts before you are offered admission. Sending paper copies of documents you have uploaded will significantly delay the processing of your application.