The MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies offers research training for students already familiar with the Middle East region and its languages. The course provides a common foundation in the methods and disciplines relevant to the study of the Middle East. It provides intensive training in several fields of knowledge based on a combination of lectures, tutorials and essay writing allowing students to develop research and writing skills with training in appropriate theoretical and methodological approaches, through supervision of a dissertation on a subject of the student’s choice. The MSc teaches both qualitative and quantitative methodologies through assessed work.
The course offers two tracks: a language and a non-language one.
The language track is designed for students who already have intermediate to advanced -level ability in Arabic and who wish to further develop these skills through intensive classes.
The non-language track is designed for students who already have full research fluency in at least one of the languages of the region - Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish - through being either a literate native speaker, or possessing a degree in the language (a course specifically focusing on language and acquisition of the capacity to read untranslated texts in a Middle- Eastern language, not a disciplinary or area studies degree in which the applicant has taken language classes). Non-native speaker applicants who think they might qualify for the non-language track who do not have such a degree should explain specifically why they think they qualify, eg through extensive formal study and experience in the region outside the scope of a degree program. Applicants who do not have formal language-study credentials, and particularly applicants who may want to be seen as prospective non-language-track students (including all Hebrew, Persian and Turkish applicants) may wish to submit writing samples that demonstrate the ability to use untranslated sources (preferably written) in a Middle Eastern language.
Students on the language track take language classes throughout the three terms of the course, plus two optional papers taken in the second and third terms. Students on the non-language track take three optional papers, one in each of the three terms. Students will choose from a list of optional papers published annually which are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, and non-assessed formative (non-assessed) essays.
Tutorial options offered regularly include the following:
- Hebrew Literature
- History and Politics of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- History of Qajar Iran
- History of the Maghreb since 1830
- History of the Middle East, 1860-1970
- Iranian History from the Constitutional to the Islamic Revolution, 1905-1979
- Main Themes in Israeli Politics and Society
- Mass Media in the Middle East
- Modern Islamic Thought
- Modern Turkish Literature: Texts and Contexts
- Nahda: Literature, Modernity and Institution-building in the Arabic 19th Century
- The Political Economy of the Middle East and North Africa
- Political Institutions in Contemporary Iran
- Political Islam, Islamism, and Modern Islamic Movements
- Politics of the Maghreb
- Politics of the Middle East
- Social Anthropology of the Middle East
Applicants may wish to confirm with the course coordinator that a specific option listed above will be available to the applicant’s cohort, as scheduled sabbaticals or other research leave may sometimes interrupt the annual teaching schedule.
