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

Structure

In the first year of the programme, students take one unit in a modern Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Turkish, Persian or Hebrew), a course in, Arabic or Israeli culture, and courses in Middle Eastern literature and history.  In the second year, students choose one further language unit and take an introductory course in Islam; two further units are chosen from the List of Optional Course, which include further language courses and courses in art, history, religion, music, politics, economics and law. In the final year, a third language unit is taken (which can be Arabic) and an extended essay written on an agreed topic (Independent study project); the year is completed with two further units from the List of Optional Courses.

Year 1

Core Course

This course must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.

• Literatures of the Near and Middle East - 155900991 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Course

• H130 Introduction to the History of the Near and Middle East - 154800230 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Language Course

Choose a language unit at an appropriate level from the List of Language Courses.

Compulsory Culture Course

Choose one of the following courses.

• Introduction to Arabic Culture - 155901205 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Introduction to Israeli Culture - 155900947 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Year 2

Core Course

This course must be passed in order to proceed to the following year of study.

• Nation and Nationalism in Middle Eastern fiction (in Translation) - 155901380 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Course

• The Muslim World: Unity in Diversity - 155901258 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Language Course

Choose a language unit at an appropriate level from the List of Language Courses.

Open Option

Choose an approved unit from the List of Optional Courses OR one other approved open option unit.

Year 3

Core Independent Study Project

Choose one of the following. This course must be passed in order to gain the degree.

• Independent Study Project in Middle Eastern Studies - 155901386 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Independent Study Project in Georgian Studies - 155901216 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Independent Study Project in Persian Studies - 155901184 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Independent Study Project in Hebrew/Israeli Studies - 155900738 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Independent Study Project (Turkish Literature) - 155901052 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Independent Study Project in Arabic Studies - 155900733 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Compulsory Language Course

Choose a language unit at an appropriate level from the List of Language Courses.

Compulsory Course

Choose courses to the value of one full unit from the list below.

• Arabic Cinema (1) - 155901208 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Arabic Cinema (2) - 155901209 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
• Cinemas of the Middle East - 155901383 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Open Option

Choose an approved unit from the List of Optional Courses OR one other approved open option unit.

List of Language Courses

• Arabic 100 - 155901202 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 200 - 155901203 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 300 - 155901204 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 2 - 155900897 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Arabic 4 - 155900899 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Hebrew - 155900916 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Modern Hebrew Language: Intermediate - 155900713 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Modern Hebrew Language: Advanced - 155900714 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Written Persian - 155901053 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Persian Texts - 155901155 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Persian Language 2 - 155900801 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Persian Language 3 - 155900802 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Written Turkish - 155901051 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Intermediate Modern Turkish Language - 155900547 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Advanced Modern Turkish Language - 155900548 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Elementary Georgian - 155900813 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Old Georgian - 155900816 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Structure of Abkhaz - 155901176 (1 Unit) - Full Year

List of Optional Courses

Before selecting a course, student's must first check that the course is at the correct level. They must also ensure that they meet any pre-requisites.

• Persian Poetry in Translation - 155901277 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Middle Persian - 158000183 (1 unit Unit)
• Ottoman Turkish Language - 155900549 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Introduction to Sufism - 155901375 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• History of Zionism - 155901168 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Israeli History and the Israel-Palestine Conflict - 155901167 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Introduction to Israeli Literature - 155901248 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Introduction to the Art and Archaeology of the Near and Middle East - 154900101 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Islamic Architecture - 154900107 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Islamic Painting - 154900009 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• The Sources of Islamic Art and Architecture - 154900108 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Art and Material Culture of the Islamic World: 7th to 14th Centuries - 154900138 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• The Decorative Arts of Islam - 154900109 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Mosaics, Manuscripts, and Wall Painting in Islamic Art - 154900134 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Music of the Middle East and North Africa - 155800068 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Islamic law - 155200037 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Shi'a Islam: Religious Authority and Community Identity - 158000147 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• H248 The Making of the Modern Middle East - 154800227 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Messianic Movements in Islamic History - 158000149 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
• Zoroastrian Literature in Translation - 158000095 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Zoroastrianism in the Ancient and Modern Worlds - 158000029 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Economic development of the modern Middle East - 153400031 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Government and politics of the Middle East - 153400060 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Eastern Christianity - 158000132 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Orthodox Christianity - 158000131 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
• Martyrs & Monks in Eastern Christian Writings - 158000130 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Syriac For Beginners - 158000034 (1 Unit) - Full Year
• Judaism: Foundation - 158000148 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
• Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism - 158000151 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
• Daily Life of Jews in Antiquity - 158000155 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
• The Bible and its Interpretation in Ancient Judaism - 158000160 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013
• The Role and Representation of Women in Judaism - 158000154 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Programme Specification

• BA Middle Eastern Studies - Programme Specifications 2012/13 (pdf; 35kb)

Teaching & Learning

Year abroad

Destinations

As a student specialising in the Middle East, you will gain competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a combination of the study of language, literature and culture (which can include literature, film, music, art and religion) of various parts of the Middle East.

Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in both business and the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

Students graduating with this degree have opportunities to work in education, the Middle Eastern media, the BBC, in the press, the Civil Service and non-governmental organisations, and wherever a knowledge of the Middle East is a key skill.

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

How to apply

How to apply

• How to Apply
• UCAS website
• Funding options
• English language requirements
• Tuition Fees
• Admissions Contacts

Scholarships

For further information visit the Scholarships section