Postgraduate Courses in Middle Eastern History and Culture

This degree program offers students of the Middle East the opportunity to explore in depth a variety of topics relating to the history and culture of this crucially significant region of the world. The program is highly interdisciplinary and draws upon the wide range of expertise within the School of History. The courses are open to students with an undergraduate degree in History or Middle East Studies.

Graduate Diploma: this is a nine-month (September to May) programme of study consisting of the taught elements listed below
M. Litt: - this is a year-long course consisting of the same taught element as the Diploma, with an additional 15,000-word dissertation submitted by 31 August.
M. Phil: - this is a two-year programme consisting of the same taught element as the Diploma, plus a 40,000-word thesis due by 31 August of the second year.

 

Course Structure for Taught Element of Diploma, M.Litt and M.Phil.

I. Themes in Middle Eastern History and Politics - Core Course (MH5101)
This module is intended to introduce students to key themes and debates in Middle
Eastern history. It looks at a variety of theoretical and disciplinary approaches, including
Orientalism, as well as exploring questions of nationalism, statehood and identity. Themes include
religion, state and society and Iranian relations with the West. It exposes students to a wide
range of historical writing from late Antiquity to the twentieth century. It is assessed by way of  three
essays whose aggregate word count is 12,000 words.

 

II. One of the following modules

EITHER Arabic for Beginners (AR5237)
This module will enable beginners to read, write and converse in simple Modern Standard Arabic. It will cover the Arabic alphabet and the basics of Arabic grammar. Teaching will be based on a textbook that makes use of reading, writing, listening and speaking exercises that have a direct relevance to the culture and history of the Arab World. Please note that this module is the same as the Arabic for Beginners module for undergraduates, but postgraduate students will have their own dedicated tutorial.

OR Second Level Arabic (AR5203)
This module provides intermediate level instruction in spoken and written Modern Standard Arabic for postgraduate students. Students choosing to take this module will have two options depending on the existing level of their Arabic:

i) This module will enable students to read and write Modern Standard Arabic to intermediate level with the aid of a dictionary, and to speak in standard Arabic on appropriate topics with a limited vocabulary. Oral work and written class work will be based on a series of texts selected for their relevance to the understanding of contemporary issues and culture. Please note that this module is the same as Intermediate Arabic modules for undergraduates, but postgraduate students will have their own dedicated tutorial.

ii) This module will combine two 3000 Level undergraduate modules: Media Arabic in the first semester and Literary Arabic or Key Texts in Islamic Religion and Culture in the second semester.

OR Introduction to Modern Persian (MH5110)
This module is intended to introduce students to Modern Persian. No previous knowledge will be required and students will be taught the basic, language, grammar and structure of modern Persian with a view to preparing them for the study of basic texts and conversation. The module, which will run throughout the year, is intended to provide students with the foundations of modern Persian upon which they will be able to build and extend, should they wish to pursue research.

III. Directed Reading in Middle Eastern History and Culture (MH5001)
A directed reading project designed to encourage the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor. The project offers the student the opportunity to develop skills of research, analysis and presentation prior to the dissertation. As such, it will serve as a useful transition between the more structured teaching of undergraduate work and the independence of postgraduate dissertations. The project will normally take the form of three or more essays comprising bibliographical or methodological studies and primary research on narrowly defined topics, whose aggregate word count is 12,000 words. Students should familiarise themselves with the list of teaching staff below to consider in advance their options for directed reading.

Fields that will be offered in the academic year 2012/13 comprise:
Ayyubid and Mamluk Near East; Classical Islamic History; Early Ottoman History; Mediaeval Armenia; Modern Arabic Literature; Modern Iran; Sasanian Iran; Seljuk; Timurid and Safavid History.

Supervisors
Professor Ali Ansari
Catherine Cobham
Dr Dimitris Kastritis
Dr Andrew Peacock
Dr Angus Stewart
Dr Tim Greenwood
For Iranian Studies, click here

 

 

 

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