POSTGRADUATE PROSPECTUS

154INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIESMA NEAR AND MIDDLEEASTERN STUDIESDEPARTMENTNear and Middle East (see page 118)FACULTYLanguages and CulturesPROGRAMME CONVENORTo be confirmedDURATIONOne calendar year (full-time)Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)START OF PROGRAMMESeptember intake onlyENTRY REQUIREMENTSMinimum upper second class honours degree(or equivalent)SEE ALSO:Centre for Near and Middle Eastern StudiesThe MA Near and Middle Eastern Studiesprovides exceptional opportunities for studyingthis diverse and fascinating area through a varietyof disciplinary approaches. While the emphasisis on the modern period through the courses inModern History, Geography, Politics, Economicsand Anthropology, some exposure to the premodernculture and society of the area is providedthrough courses in Religious Studies, Islamic Artand Archaeology and History.STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTSStudents take three taught courses, one of whichis considered a major, and complete a 10,000-word dissertation related to the major. As theemphasis in the Regional Studies programmes ison interdisciplinary study, students are requiredto select their three courses from more than onediscipline. Two minor courses can be taken fromthe same discipline, but one cannot combine themajor with a minor from the same discipline.Some disciplines such as Politics, Economicsand Law usually require the applicant’s firstdegree to have been in the relevant discipline.CHOOSING THE COURSESWhen applying, applicants are asked to specifytheir preferred major and asked to give analternative as practical considerations such astimetabling and availability of courses may limitfreedom of choice. For further information ondepartments and courses listed, please refer tothe relevant sections in the prospectus or visitwww.soas.ac.ukMA NEAR AND MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIESNot all courses listed below may be available everyyear. For courses being offered in 2008/09, pleasevisit the relevant departmental website or contactthe Faculty office. Some courses may be taught inother departments of the School.OPTIONAL COURSES (MAJORS AND MINORS)- Intermediate Modern Turkish Language- Elementary Georgian- Elementary Written Turkish- Elementary Written Persian- Advanced Modern Hebrew Language- Elementary Modern Hebrew- Iranian Cinema (half unit)- Near and Middle Eastern Culture and Society- Studies in Early Islamic Art and Archaeology- Studies in Later Islamic Art and Archaeology- Miniature Painting of the Arab World- Mamluk Art- Ottoman Art- Economic Development of the Middle East- The End of the Empire in the Middle East andthe Balkans- Middle Eastern Perspectives on History- Origins and Early Development of Islam in theMiddle East: Problems and Perspectives- Modernity and the Transformation of theMiddle East, 1839–1958- The Il-Khanate: Mongol Rule in West Asia,1258–1335- Islamic Law I- Law and Society I: Middle East andNorth Africa- Arabic/English/Arabic Translation- Arabic/English/Arabic Translation- Music of the Near & Middle East Masters- Introduction to Standard Modern Arabic- Persian Intermediate Masters- Zionist Ideology- Israel, the Arab World and the Palestinians- Politics and Society in Central Asia- Central Asia: History, Politics and Religion- Modern Trends in Islam- Social and Political Dimensions of ModernArabic Literature- Comparative Politics of the ContemporaryMiddle East (Minor only)