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The Master of Arts in ¡°Humanities East and West¡± provides a comprehensive exploration of human civilization with a special focus on Jewish philosophy viewed through a Chinese lens. This 30-credit (10-course) MA program can be completed in one year (two semesters and a summer), after which graduates will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the USA. NYSED approval is pending for this new program, which is scheduled to launch in September 2026. 

List of courses for the MA degree

Students must take four required courses that provide a broad foundation in humanities:
HUM5001: Introduction to the Humanities, West and East
HUM5002: Introduction to the Study of Religion
HUM5003: Truth and Certainty in the Study of History
HUM5004: Eastern Encounters with the West and Modernity

Beyond the four required courses, students must take six elective courses. Among those are Revel courses designed specifically for the Humanities East and West degree:
1.    HUM6001: Classical Chinese Ethics: Confucian, Mohist, and Daoist Perspectives
2.    HUM6002: Humanistic Introduction to Biblical Literature & Western Culture
3.    HUM6003: Treasures of the Middle Kingdom: Chinese Art and Archaeology
4.    HUM6004: Comparative Arts and Cultures¡ªChinese and Jewish
5.    HUM6005: Youtai Enigma: Jews in the Chinese Imagination
6.    HUM6006: Festivals and Sacred Time: Jewish Traditions in Comparative Perspective
These six courses, like the four basic courses, are tailored to the needs and interests of Chinese students. They will include English language instruction and workshops on academic English writing. Students who have advanced English proficiency and have acquired sufficient knowledge of Jewish culture will have the option to take regular courses in the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies instead of one or more of these six courses, toward the 10-course MA degree requirement.

Among the regular Revel courses especially relevant for the Humanities degree:
Philosophy and Thought
?    Introduction to Jewish Mysticism (JPH 5350)
?    Visions of a Just Society in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic Philosophy (JPH 6205)
?    Jewish Existentialism: Buber & Rosenzweig (JPH 6872)
?    Philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas (JPH 6874)
?    Jewish Art and Visual Culture (JHI 6255)
?    Cultural Responses to the Holocaust (JHI 6486)
?    History of New York Jews in the 20th Century (JHI 6889)
?    Blacks and Jews in America (JHI 6890)

Program Coordination

?    Pathway to PhD in Humanities, Religious Studies, International Studies, etc.
?    Access to exclusive networking events and professional development workshops to build connections that facilitate career success in the U.S.
?    Optional Practical Training (OPT). Provides graduates with a one-year OPT extension, offering valuable opportunities to gain work experience in the U.S. and enhance their qualifications before pursuing a work visa.

Career Opportunities

1.    Education: Graduates will be well-prepared to teach Humanities, Jewish history, religion, or world religions in universities, religious schools, and international programs. Their multicultural perspectives are highly valued in U.S. and international classrooms, enriching students¡¯ understanding of global Jewish and Chinese connections.
2.   Program Coordination and Leadership in Jewish Cultural Institutions: Jewish Institutions and Organizations actively seek non-Jewish professionals to serve as program managers, researchers, or coordinators to foster intercultural dialogue and broaden their outreach. Given the growing cross-cultural ties in the American Jewish community, including between Jewish-Chinese families, our graduates bring unique perspectives that enhance educational, cultural, and community initiatives.
3.    Publishing and Media: Graduates can pursue roles in editorial work, research, and writing focused on religious studies, history, and cultural analysis, meeting the increasing demand for content on cross-cultural and religious themes.
4.    Cultural Institutions and Museums: Graduates are qualified for positions as curators, archivists, or program coordinators in museums and cultural centers. Institutions focused on Jewish heritage increasingly value staff who can contribute to programs that connect Jewish culture with broader global audiences.
5.    Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Roles in NGOs promoting religious tolerance, cultural exchange, and global peace initiatives are an ideal fit for graduates, who bring expertise in cross-cultural and interfaith dynamics.
6.    Consulting and Advisory Roles: With knowledge of humanities, Jewish studies, and cultural analysis, graduates can advise businesses, governments, and organizations on ventures into the Middle East or in fostering relationships with Jewish communities worldwide.
7.    International Relations and Diplomacy: Graduates can pursue opportunities in international relations, particularly in roles focused on diplomacy, intercultural communication, and understanding in regions such as the Middle East.