Florida State's M.A. in Religions of Western Antiquity

[Mathētēs]

Greetings! I am applying to master's programs to focus on Early Christianity in its historical, theological, and cultural contexts. Florida State’s Religions of Western Antiquity program is thought to be a good program that is on the rise. I am deciding whether to apply and would like to know your thoughts on why Florida State's program is considered to be of increasingly high quality. For those of you who are applying to their program or have experience within it, what about it appeals to you?

Edited November 5, 2009 by biblclstudiesstdnt

[LateAntique]

I'm applying for a few reasons:

1) David Levenson - the guy is an absolute polymath. He teaches a bazillion different languages, is great for primary sources, and we share an interest in Julian the Apostate.

2) Their close ties with Classics - being that I'm a Classicist as well, I can appreciate the dialogue between early Christianity and the Classics.

3) Emphasis on primary sources and good, old close reading of texts.

[Mathētēs]

Thank you for your prompt post, LateAntique. I appreciate your background in the Classics and bringing that understanding to the study of Christianity. My background relevant to this forum is in biblical studies, and I would like to study the Mediterranean world of antiquity to better understand the environments and thoughts of those who wrote and received what would become canonical texts.

I read David Levenson’s profile on Florida State’s website, and see that some of his writings are available for download. Could you please refer me to any other written sources that you have found especially helpful and demonstrate Dr. Levenson’s or other FSU faculty’s “Emphasis on primary sources and good, old close reading of texts”?

Is there any other overarching approach or attitude toward the study of early Christianity within the department?

Thank you very much for your input and assistance!

[LateAntique]

Thank you for your prompt post, LateAntique. I appreciate your background in the Classics and bringing that understanding to the study of Christianity. My background relevant to this forum is in biblical studies, and I would like to study the Mediterranean world of antiquity to better understand the environments and thoughts of those who wrote and received what would become canonical texts.

I read David Levenson’s profile on Florida State’s website, and see that some of his writings are available for download. Could you please refer me to any other written sources that you have found especially helpful and demonstrate Dr. Levenson’s or other FSU faculty’s “Emphasis on primary sources and good, old close reading of texts”?

Is there any other overarching approach or attitude toward the study of early Christianity within the department?

Thank you very much for your input and assistance!

Honestly, if you just email Levenson, he'll get back to you within a day and he's probably better able to answer your questions. I've been speaking with him for a few months now as well as some of the grad students there and they all seem to love the program.