Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
Postgraduate
In Leeds
Description
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Type
Postgraduate
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Location
Leeds
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Start date
Different dates available
This multidisciplinary degree focuses on the politics, religions, cultures and languages of the Middle East and North Africa. Current political events are covered in depth, alongside historical developments, paths towards democratisation, the role of gender dynamics and the interactions between religious authorities and civil society.
Core modules will introduce you to the complex intersections between Islam, culture and politics across the region. You’ll also choose from a range of optional modules, allowing you to explore issues such as Islam’s encounter with modernity in further depth, or to learn Arabic, Turkish or Persian from beginner level. Through your dissertation, you will carry out independent research on an aspect of the Middle East that particularly engages you.
This is a fascinating and unique opportunity to study and understand a diverse and complex region through a mix of approaches drawn from Area Studies (Middle East and North Africa), Islamic Studies and traditional disciplines including Politics, History and Law.
Specialist resources
At Leeds we have a wealth of resources to help you make the most of your studies. Our archives contain 500 Arabic manuscripts and 10,000 archaeological artefacts, ranging from Pharaonic to early Palestinian eras.
There are also extensive library resources in our world-class Brotherton Library, and our fully equipped Language Centre features digital language labs, audio-video practice booths and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) to help you develop your language skills.
We are committed to helping you to develop skills in critical reading, academic analysis and the presentation of your ideas and research and offer students dedicated sessions on these themes.
This programme is also available to study part-time.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in a related subject. Professional experience will also be considered.
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. For more information contact the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies admissions team.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in all components.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English.
If English is not your first language, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course before you begin your studies...
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Subjects
- Arabic
- Turkish
- Politics
- Part Time
- Islam
- Religions
Course programme
Core modules will lay the foundations of the programme, introducing you to the principles and practice of research in order to prepare you for your own research and exploring the relationship between Islam, culture and politics in the Middle East and North Africa. You’ll then choose from a wide range of optional modules, allowing you to pursue your interests.
You’ll be expected to choose at least some modules in Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, which means you could learn Arabic, Persian or Turkish from scratch, explore Arab drama or media or study popular revolts and democracy.
However, you can also choose from relevant modules offered by the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science and the School of Politics and International Studies on topics such as Middle Eastern politics, the links between religion and global development or Muslims and multiculturalism among others.
By the end of the programme, you’ll be able to showcase the skills and knowledge you’ve developed when you research and write a dissertation on a topic of your choice.
If you choose to study part-time, you'll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
Course structure
These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.
Modules Year 1Compulsory modules
- Dissertation in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies 60 credits
- Debating the Middle East: Islam, Politics and Culture 30 credits
- Principles and Practices of Research 30 credits
- Modern Arab Media 30 credits
- Islam and Modernity 30 credits
- Arab Drama on Stage and the Screen 30 credits
- Authoritarianism and Democratisation in the Arab World 30 credits
- The Hadith: History, Criticism and Canonisation 30 credits
- Democracy and Development 30 credits
- Contemporary Politics of the Middle East 30 credits
- The Politics of the Israel-Palestine Conflict 30 credits
- Religions and Global Development 30 credits
- Contemporary Issues in Religion and Gender 30 credits
- Muslims, Multiculturalism and the State 30 credits
- Religion, Society and Public Life 30 credits
- Turkish for Beginners 20 credits
- Comparative Arabic/English Stylistics 1 15 credits
- Comparative Arabic/English Stylistics 2 15 credits
- Arabic For Beginners 1 30 credits
- Arabic for Beginners 2 30 credits
- Arabic For Beginners 3 30 credits
- Persian for Beginners 30 credits
For more information on typical modules, read Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies MA Full Time in the course catalogue
For more information on typical modules, read Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies MA Part Time in the course catalogue
Learning and teachingTo help you make the most of our tutors’ expertise, we use a range of teaching and learning methods. Most of your modules will involve lectures and weekly seminars where you’ll discuss your reading and research, while language modules will involve intensive practical classes in small groups.
AssessmentDepending on the modules you choose, you may experience different forms of assessment. Usually these will include essays, exams, oral presentations, practical assessments and even seminar participation.
Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies