MA Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East at SOAS, University of London

Overview

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Convenor

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The Department of Art and Archaeology at SOAS provides a uniquely broad range of courses in the history of art, architecture and material culture of Africa and Asia, from their origins to modern times. The regions covered include China, Japan, Korea, the Islamic world, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Africa (including the African Diaspora). Our aim is to enable students to investigate the cultures of this immensely diverse area, while giving them the opportunity to specialise in fields of their choice.

The Islamic Middle East has given rise to an impressive material culture in the past, and it is one that continues in the present. The degree covers an area stretching from Islamic Spain through the Arab countries, Turkey, Iran, and Central Asia in diverse historical periods. It offers courses dealing with particular regions or categories of art such as Fatimid art and architecture, Arab, Persian, and Turkish painting, Mamluk architecture, and applied arts and architecture of Ottoman Egypt and Syria. Various archaeological issues of the Islamic Middle East are also covered. In addition, the degree engages with trans-regional topics that extend beyond the Middle East, such as the illumination of the Qur'an, and cultural and artistic relationships between the Islamic Middle East and Europe.

Complementary courses are sometimes available on the non-Islamic traditions of the Middle East, as well as on the Islamic traditions of other regions. Students select at least two units (or four half units) from among MA courses that are designated as belonging to the Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East programme.

In addition to the three taught courses, the fourth component of the degree is a 10,000 word dissertation. Students undertake independent research on a topic of their own choosing, generally related to the area of one of their taught courses, and supervised by a member of the department.

The MA has two main purposes. First, it can be used as a training programme for those who hope to go on to higher independent research (for a PhD), especially if their BA background lies in another field (such as the History of Western Art, or Asian/African area/language studies). For such students, the MA provides the necessary grounding in the material and techniques in the study of Asian and African art or archaeology. Secondly, for those who already have some background in this field, it provides an opportunity to broaden or deepen their knowledge at a higher level.

Email: crispin.branfoot@soas.ac.uk

Phone: 020 7898 4450

Structure

Students select at least two units (or four half units) from among MA courses that are designated as belonging to the Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East programme.

Compulsory

Dissertation in History of Art and Archaeology: History of Art and Archaeology of Islamic Middle East - 15PARC997 (1 Unit) - Full Year

General

Approaches to Critical Interpretation & Aesthetic Theories - 15PARC004 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Asia and Africa On Display: Objects, Exhibitions and Transculturism - 15PARH043 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Directed Readings in History of Art and/or Archaeology - 15PARC008 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Directed Readings in Art and Archaeology - 15PARH037 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year
Understanding Art East and West: from Asmat Shields to Tate Modern - 15PARH058 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013

Near & Middle East

Arab Painting - 15PARH054 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Art and Architecture of Egypt and Syria 13th to 16th Centuries - 15PARC033 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Art and Architecture of the Fatimids - 15PARH035 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Islam and the West: Artistic and Cultural Contacts - 15PARH034 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
Ottoman Architecture in Istanbul: 15th-19th Century - 15PARH045 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Ottoman Art - 15PARC011 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
Persian Painting - 15PARH053 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
Studies in Early Islamic Art and Archaeology - 15PARC001 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Minor Options in Other Departments

Anthropology

Culture and Society of China - 15PANC089 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of East Africa - 15PANC084 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of Japan - 15PANC086 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of South Asia - 15PANC087 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of South East Asia - 15PANC088 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of West Africa - 15PANC083 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Culture and Society of the Near & Middle East - 15PANC097 (1 Unit) - Full Year

History

Origins and Development of Islam in the Middle East: Problems and Perspectives - 15PHIC040 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Islam in South Asia - 15PHIC042 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Study of Religions

Readings in Japanese religion - 15PSRH041 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013

Music

Indian Classical Music - 15PMUC027 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
Music in South Asian Culture (Masters) - 15PMUC005 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Pop and Politics in East Asia (Masters) - 15PMUH014 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Music of the Near and Middle East and North Africa - 15PMUC033 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Programme Specification

Programme Spec - MA Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East (pdf; 118kb)

Teaching & Learning

Lectures and Seminars

Teaching consists of a combination of lectures and seminars. Classes are normally between two and three hours per week for each course. Teaching methods include lectures with discussion, seminars and museum visits.

Students at all levels are expected to take an active part in class presentation. A particularly important element is the training of the student's visual memory.

In addition to their studies on the MA programme, students at SOAS are able to participate in a wide range of research seminars, lectures and conferences that regularly take place in the School and in the University of London.

Dissertation

The 10,000-word dissertation on an approved topic linked with one of the taught courses.

Learning Resources

SOAS Library

SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections and a growing network of electronic resources.

Destinations

Students of MA Art and Architecture of the Islamic Middle East will develop a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek including research skills; written and oral communication skills; visual awareness; and specialist subject knowledge of the art of the Islamic Middle East.

Art and Archaeology postgraduates very often continue to work in arts, culture and heritage roles and also forge careers in a wide range of fields across the world, including international development, diplomacy, banking and finance, language services, the legal sector, education and policy research. A postgraduate degree is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate.

For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.

How to apply

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section

SOAS, University of London (The School of Oriental and African Studies)

Department of the History of Art and Archaeology