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Middle Eastern Studies: Modern Middle East Studies

Students with disabilities

The university is committed to supporting and accommodating students with disabilities as stated in the university protocol (especially pages 3-5). Students should contact Fenestra Disability Centre at least four weeks before the start of their courses to ensure that all necessary academic accommodations can be made in time conform the abovementioned protocol.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to be familiar with Leiden University policies on plagiarism and academic integrity. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. If you submit any work with your name affixed to it, it is assumed to be your own work with all sources used properly indicated and documented in the text (with quotations and/or citations).

Start in Fall

Note that ‘ Semester 1’ stands for Fall semester and ‘ Semester 2’ for Spring semester.

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Fall Semester

Common Core Course

Choose one of the following two courses:

Theories and Methods of Middle East and Islamic Studies 1 10
Theories and Methods of Middle East and Islamic Studies 2 10

Specialisation Course I

Choose one of the following courses:

The Middle East in the International Political Economy 10
International Relations of the Middle East and Asia (IRMEA) 10

Specialisation Course II

Choose one or two (LAT 1-2 or LAA 1-2 or LAP 1-2 or LAMH 1-2) of the following courses with a total of 10 EC:

Literature and Politics in the Persian-speaking World 10
From Inkwell to Internet: Text and Transmission in the Muslim World 10
Material Culture, Memory and Commemoration along the Silk Roads in Central Asia 10
Narratives that Matter: Literature, Film and Television Drama in Turkey 10
Modern Standard Arabic 1 5
Modern Standard Arabic 2 5
Language Acquisition Persian 1 5
Language Acquisition Persian 2 5
Beginner's Turkish 1 5
Beginner's Turkish 2 5
Language Acquisition Modern Hebrew 1 5
Language Acquisition Modern Hebrew 2 5

Spring Semester

Common Core Courses

MA Thesis Middle Eastern Studies 20
Thesis Seminar in Middle East and Islamic Studies (Spring) 0

Specialisation Course III

Choose one of the following three courses:

Developments in the Modern Middle East 10
International Relations in the Middle East: Regional Struggle and Great Power Rivalry after the Cold War 10
Turkey and the Middle East in the 20th Century 10

Extra-curricular

An internship does not count towards the degree.

Internship MA Middle Eastern Studies

Start in Spring

Note that ‘ Semester 1’ stands for Fall semester and ‘ Semester 2’ for Spring semester.

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Spring Semester

Common Core Course

Theories and Methods of Middle East and Islamic Studies 3 10

Specialisation Course I

Choose one of the following courses:

Developments in the Modern Middle East 10
International Relations in the Middle East: Regional Struggle and Great Power Rivalry after the Cold War 10

Specialisation Course II

Choose one of the following courses:

Anthropology of Muslim Societies 10
Turkey and the Middle East in the 20th Century 10

Fall Semester

Common Core Courses

MA Thesis Middle Eastern Studies 20
Thesis Seminar in Middle East and Islamic Studies (Fall) 0

Specialisation Course III

Choose one of the following courses:

From Inkwell to Internet: Text and Transmission in the Muslim World 10
International Relations of the Middle East and Asia (IRMEA) 10
Literature and Politics in the Persian-speaking World 10
The Middle East in the International Political Economy 10
Narratives that Matter: Literature, Film and Television Drama in Turkey 10

Extra-curricular

An internship does not count towards the degree.

Internship MA Middle Eastern Studies

Meer info

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.

For a more detailed overview of the programme's objectives see the Course and Exam Regulations of the Programme.

The objectives regarding general academic skills can be found in the Course and Exam Regulations of the Faculty.

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.

In the second semester students all students take one more course of 10 EC specific to their specialisation. Students of the specialisations Arabic, Persian, Islamic, Israel and Modern Middle East Studies, take this course in Leiden. Students of the specialisation Turkish Studies spend the second semester at a partner university in Turkey or complete their coursework at Leiden University.

All students, including those studying abroad, also work on their MA-Thesis (20 ects) during the second semester. The students staying in Leiden take part in the ‘Thesis Seminar in Middle East and Islamic Studies.’ This seminar, where the students present their ongoing research, is meant to support them in the process of writing.

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must successfully complete the 60 EC programme including their MA-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. More details on the procedures regarding the MA-Thesis can be found in the course description.

Specialisations

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

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

Contact Information

Mailing address

MA Middle Eastern Studies programme
Secretariat Vrieshof 4, rm 112a
P.O.Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands

Visiting address (also address for courier services)

Matthias de Vrieshof 4, 2311BZ Leiden
Witte Singel 25, 2311BG Leiden

Secretariat

Matthias de Vrieshof 4, room 112a
Phone +31 (0)71 527 2253
E-mail osz-oa-Vrieshof@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday: 10:00-12:30 and 13:30-16:00; Friday: 10:00-13:00

Coordinator/Student adviser

N.A.N.M. van Os, PhD
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 2937
E-mail: stucovrieshof@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Office hours: upon appointment (send an email)

Start of your studies

Frequently asked questions about the start of the study MA Middle Eastern Studies.

Does the department have an introductory programme? Directions and map How do I get hold of my prospectus and lecture timetable? Is there anything more I need to do to complete my enrolment? Registration for courses Where can I buy my study books and study material? Where do I go for any further information I may need?

Does the department have an introductory programme?

Yes, we will organise a compulsory Introduction Day for the MA Middle Eastern Studies programme in Leiden on Thursday, 31 January, 2019.

Programme Introductory Meeting MA Middle Eastern Studies, Thursday, 31 January, 2019.

Time Activity Who Room
10.00 – 10.30 hrs Coffee and Cookies MA Middle Eastern Studies students VRIESH4 / Café Noord
10.30 – 11.15 hrs Welcome & general info on the programme MA Middle Eastern Studies students VRIESH4 / 008A
11.15 - 12.00 hrs Information on courses All MA Middle Eastern Studies and MA Middle Eastern Studies (research) students VRIESH4 / 008A
12.00 - 13.00 hrs Lunch All MA Middle Eastern Studies and MA Middle Eastern Studies (research) students VRIESH4 / Café Noord
13.00 – 14.00 hrs Information on pre-master Pre-master studenten VRIESH/007

Directions and map

Directions on how to get from Leiden Central Station to the Faculty of Humanities.

Most rooms are situated at the Witte Singel Doelen-Complex, the location of the Faculties of Humanities.

How do I get hold of my prospectus and lecture timetable?

You can find the courses for the academic year 2018-2019 and the detailed course descriptions in the e-Prospectus. Find your programme under M(iddle Eastern Studies) to view all courses on offer. The timetables are available on the programme website.

For information on the exam periods, (official) holidays, etc see the Academic Calendar 2018-2019.

Is there anything more I need to do to complete my enrolment?

If the Admissions Office sent you a conditional decision upon admission, please make sure that all documents, as listed in your admission statement, are handed in before 1 February. Only if you are a graduate from Leiden University, you do not have to hand in a certified diploma or statement regarding your graduation.

Registration for courses

Once your registration with Leiden University is complete and you have received your Student Identity Number, log in name and password, you will be able to enroll online for all courses (and later for exams) through uSis. You will also have to enroll for courses at Blackboard.

Where can I buy my study books and study material?

To find out what books you will need for next year, you can visit the e-Prospectus. Here you will find the course descriptions of the courses you will be taking, with the required literature.

Where do I go for any further information I may need?

General information on the programme is available at the Middle Eastern Studies (MA) website. You will have to log in the first time you visit this page. Once you have done this your cookies will enable you to enter this page further without problems.

For questions related to more general issues of registration, housing and other practicalities around your coming to Leiden and Leiden University, please, refer to the university's FAQ base.

For any other questions you may contact the student advisor, Ms. Eli van Duijnen .