Paul K. Hosle
Paul received his BA in 2020 from the University of Oxford in the fields of Classics and Oriental Studies (Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew). He is currently a second-year MA student in the Divinity School with interests in comparative religion.
What does your work focus on / revolve around?
In terms of areas of study, I have up to recently primarily focused on the Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions. I enjoy taking courses in a wide range of topics in literature, religion and philosophy, and I have published academic articles and/or shorter philological notes on Plato, Vergil, Horace, Propertius, Ovid, Ambrose and Dante. With respect to my methodological approaches, I am particularly keen to engage in detailed formal analyses of individual texts. Many of my essays have revolved around literary structural patterns (such as ring-composition) as well as subtle examples of micro-level linguistic play. The mutually reinforcing relationship between literary form and content has also been a recurrent concern of mine. Occasionally I deal with further issues of conceptual differentiation, and in this regard I am generally interested in questions surrounding moral education and formation. Moreover, during my time at the University of Chicago I have devoted a significant amount time to learning what I can about China. I have been taking courses on classical Chinese texts (read in the original language) in addition to starting Mandarin. I aim to continue this aspect of my studies further, as I believe it complements well my prior work. Eventually I hope to synthesize my prior backgrounds and engage in comparative studies.
Why study religion? / Why is what you study important?
To study religion is to study one of the most interesting phenomena, whose intriguing quality is only heightened by the difficulties of pinning down what exactly it is. By and large religions seem to be based on the insight that humans, in order to flourish, require participation in a natural and/or social order as well as a moral framework that transcends themselves. The study of religion thus attunes one to the varied and often profound ways in which traditions have attempted to articulate coherent responses to these basic demands. The importance of this appreciation does not diminish in a modern and increasingly secular society. Perhaps it can even be said to increase, insofar as it allows one to be more reflective about the different worldviews that are being offered. Furthermore, the needs to which traditional religions answer by no means disappear but rather continue to rear up in manifold forms.
How did you come to study at the Divinity School?
I was drawn to the Divinity School due to its strengths in the particular fields that interested me. But, at least as importantly, I appreciated the great flexibility of the program that allows one to take courses across areas of study and, indeed, outside of the Divinity School and across the whole University. I felt that after a rather more specialistic undergraduate education it was important to take some more time to explore my broader interests. A further contributing factor that influenced my decision was the proximity of Chicago to my hometown, which is in Indiana. Looking back, I know it was an ideal choice for me to come here to pursue the MA degree.
What is a favorite course you have taken at the Divinity School and what made it a favorite?
While I must inevitably be selective, I think I would have to say “Readings in Rabbinic Midrash: Theology and Homily in Pesiqta de-Rav Kahana”, taught by Professor Michael Fishbane. Being the only officially registered student in the class, it made for an experience not unlike an Oxford tutorial. Professor Fishbane coherently and elegantly combined detailed exegeses of specific passages with discussions of much broader theological issues. I also very much admire his dynamic and grounded personality.
Among the other inspirational teachers that I have had, I am especially grateful to Professor Margaret Mitchell, who has been a wonderful mentor. I have benefited greatly from the courses that I have taken with her.