GENESIS 43:32; 46:34

Q: The Hebrews and their occupation as shepherds were detestable to the Egyptians. Was any of this prejudice directed at Joseph? Were the Hebrews given Goshen because it was perhaps separated from the general Egyptian population?

The probable rulers in Egypt at the time of Joseph's rise to power (the Hyksos) were non-Egyptians themselves although they adopted Egyptian practices. Thus, they would not have been as prejudiced against Jews as native Egyptians. Also, keep in mind that Genesis 43:32 just states that the Egyptians disliked eating with Jews, not necessarily the Jews themselves. And, of course, any prejudices against shepherds would not apply to Joseph himself.

There were probably two good reasons for settling Joseph's family in Goshen. The first was, as you suspected, the fact that it was removed geographically from the more populated areas of Egypt. The second reason is that Goshen was located in the fertile Nile delta and thus an excellent place for grazing sheep. Pharaoh's own livestock were pastured there according to Genesis 47:6.