Middle Eastern History MLitt

The modules in this programme have varying methods of delivery and assessment. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue which is for the 2018–2019 academic year; some elements may be subject to change for 2019 entry.

Compulsory

• Themes in Middle Eastern History and Politics: looks at a variety of theoretical and disciplinary approaches, including Orientalism, along with key questions in Middle Eastern historiography.

Students choose two of the following optional modules. Optional modules are subject to change each year and require a minimum number of participants to be offered; some may only allow limited numbers of students

• Arabic for Beginners 1 and Arabic for Beginners 2: enables students to read, write and converse in simple Modern Standard Arabic or
• Intermediate Arabic 1 and Intermediate Arabic 2: enables 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.
• Middle Eastern Historical Translation: serves as a bridge between the language modules and history modules and is assessed through the submission of an annotated translation from Persian to English.
• Directed Reading in Middle Eastern History (1 and 2): encourages the development of skills of historical analysis through concentrated study of a topic chosen by the student in consultation with a supervisor.
• State and Society in the Premodern Middle East: introduces students to debates about development of states and societies in the Middle East from late antiquity to the eve of the modern period.
• Mediaeval Language (Classical Arabic, Persian, Armenian or Turkish)

Students taking any optional language module must also take Middle Eastern Historical Translation.

Student dissertations will be supervised by members of the teaching staff who will advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process. The completed dissertation of not more than 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there is an exit award available that allows suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.