Objectives-develop and enhance the knowledge and skills of suitably qualified students who are seeking a high level training in the disciplines, whether with a view to employment in which this knowledge and skills will be advantageous, or whether with a view to acquiring a sound basis for academic research on an independent basis or through a research degree.
-expose students to a stimulating intellectual environment in which discussion, the exchange of ideas and the encouragement of research have a high priority, and to engage students in the excitement of original enquiry.
-present coherently the results of independent enquiry in oral or written form, so as to engage the attention of a critical audience.
-develop the skill of researching a topic in depth and presenting the results in extensor through the preparation of a supervised dissertation.
Entry requirementsEntry requirements: The normal requirement for admission to the MA is an upper second-class Honours degree or higher in a relevant subject, or its overseas equivalent. Students opting for a language pathway (such as an MA in Persian, Arabic, Turkish or Hebrew Studies) are required to have either an undergraduate degree in the relevant language, or an equivalent level of knowledge of the language. Applicants may be interviewed especially if the first degree qualification is not in a clearly related subject. The fact of being a native speaker of a Middle Eastern language is not regarded as a sufficient qualification.
Academic titlePre-Islamic Middle Eastern Studies MA
Course descriptionCourse description
This MA comprises:
-two core course units: Research Methods in Middle Eastern Studies (30 credits) and Critical Approaches to Middle Eastern Studies (30 credits);
-a selection of optional course units from the Pre-Islamic Middle Eastern Studies subject list (30 credits);
-a selection of optional course units from any of the subject lists in Middle Eastern Studies, or with permission of the Course Director, from course units offered in the School of Languages, Linguistics and Cultures or the Faculty of Humanities (30 credits);
-a dissertation on a topic agreed by the Course Director (60 credits).
The combination of course units and dissertation subject must form a coherent programme in Pre-Islamic Middle Eastern Studies.
Module details
The compulsory course units are Research Methods in Middle Eastern Studies (30 credits), and Critical Approaches to Middle Eastern Studies (30 credits).
Optional course units available typically include:
-Jewish Aramaic Texts
-Aramaic/Syriac Language 1 A
-Aramaic/Syriac Language 1 B
-Introduction to Comparative Semitic Philology
-The Pagan States and Christianity in the Roman and Late Antique Near East
Where interests are not represented in the course units offered, but where relevant staff expertise exists, tailor-made Directed Reading course units can be designed.