Middle Eastern Studies: Islamic Studies

First Year

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Objectives
Structure
Contact information

Objectives

The multidisciplinary approach to a geographical area, the Middle East and North Africa, throughout history is characteristic of this programme. Using the rich collections of the University Library and other institutions the programme incorporates both the long textual tradition of Leiden University and the most up-to-date theories and approaches of history, literature, linguistics and the social sciences.

Programme

Structure

The master’s programme in Middle Eastern Studies consists of two semesters, each consisting of 30 EC. In the first semester students follow three courses of 10 EC each. In the second semester students take one more 10 EC course and write their MA-Thesis (20 EC).

In the first semester all students take the course ‘Theories and Methods of Middle East and Islamic Studies’ (10 EC). In this course the emphasis lies on the relevance (or lack thereof) of contemporary theories, concepts and models from the social sciences for the study of the Middle East. Students are familiarised with a variety of methods to obtain and interpret information from different types of sources. In addition to this common course, students take two courses which are specific to their specialisation. Furthermore, all students take part in the ‘Bi-weekly Staff Seminar Middle East and Islamic Studies’ in which the students and other invited speakers present their ongoing research.

The ‘Bi-weekly Staff Seminar’ is continued in the second semester. During this semester students of the specialisations Arabic, Persian, Islamic and Modern Middle East Studies continue their studies at Leiden University. Students of the specialisation Turkish Studies spend the second semester at a partner university in Turkey or complete their coursework at Leiden University. The master’s programme is concluded with an MA-Thesis (20 ects).

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have successfully completed the 60 EC programme including their BA-Thesis as a component of that programme. The thesis carries 20 EC, and as a rule should not exceed a maximum of 20,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices. The thesis is preferably supervised by a lecturer of the School of Middle Eastern Studies who possesses the appropriate expertise in the field addressed in the thesis. The Department ensures that students are put in contact with a lecturer for thesis supervision, preferably at the commencement of the programme.

Specialisations

The MA programme in Middle Eastern Studies offers the following specialisations:

Arabic Studies
Persian Studies
Turkish Studies
Modern Middle East Studies
Islamic Studies

Sector Plan

Students of the specialisation Arabic Studies can opt to take a course at the University of Amsterdam within the context of the so-called Sector Plan. For more information contact your Co-ordinator of Studies, Nicole A.N.M. van Os