SOAS University of London

Department of the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East

MA Israeli Studies (2018 entry)

  • Structure
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Employment

Overview

The MA Israeli Studies is an interdisciplinary degree which explores the history, culture, politics, language and music of Israel. The programme is based on a modular system, so the subjects covered can be as diverse as the political thought of Vladimir Jabotinsky, Christian Zionism, the poetry of Yehuda Amichai, the rise of Palestinian nationalism, the struggle of Soviet Jews for emigration, the writings of Mendele Moykher-Sforim, the music of the hasidim, Palestinian Islamism, the teachings of the Rambam and the Ramban.

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Email: yw11@soas.ac.uk

Entry requirements

  • The usual qualification for entry is a good first degree in a relevant field. However, the School is keen to offer the course to those with a real passion for the subject, who wish to develop a strong interest within an academic framework.

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duration:
The MA is taken full-time over one year or part-time over two or three years.

Structure

Learn a language as part of this programme

Degree programmes at SOAS - including this one - can include language courses in more than forty African and Asian languages. It is SOAS students’ command of an African or Asian language which sets SOAS apart from other universities.

Students take 180 credits, 60 of which are a dissertation and a 120 from taught modules. 

Of the taught modules:

  • 30 credits are selected as a core module from List A
  • 30 further credits are taken as a minor module from List A
  • 30 further credits' worth of minor modules are taken from List A or B
  • Finally, 30 credits are selected from the approved open options list.

Dissertation
Module Code Credits Term
Dissertation in the Languages and Cultures of the Near and Middle East 15PNMC999 60 Full Year
Taught Component
Core Module

Choose module to the value of 30 credits from List A as a major.

Guided Option

Choose modules to the value of 30 credits from List A as a minor.

AND

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from List A OR B as a minor.

Open Option

Choose module(s) to the value of 30 credits from the Postgraduate Open Options list.

List of Modules (subject to availability)
List A
List B
Module Code Credits Term
Religion, Nationhood and Ethnicity in Judaism 15PSRH030 15 Term 2
The Holocaust in Theology, Literature and Art 15PSRH028 15 Term 2
Judaism and Gender 15PSRH029 15 Term 2
Elementary Hebrew (PG) 15PNMC392 30 Full Year
Hebrew 2 (PG) 15PNMC393 1 unit - 45 cats
Hebrew 4 (PG) 15PNMC394 30 Full Year
Modern Palestinian Literature (PG) 15PNMC379 15 Term 2
The End of Empire in the Middle East and the Balkans I 15PHIH048 0.5
Arab Language Module (PGT level)

Students may also select an module in an Arabic Language, as long as it is at PGT level. Please speak to the department for more information.

 

Programme Specification

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

One-year Masters programmes consist of 180 credits. 120 credits are taught in modules of 30 credits (taught over 20 weeks) or 15 credits (taught over 10 weeks); the dissertation makes up the remaining 60 units. The programme structure shows which modules are compulsory and which optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study, including reading and research, preparing coursework and revising for examinations. It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others. At SOAS, most postgraduate modules have a one hour lecture and a one hour seminar every week, but this does vary. 

More information is on the page for each module.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge
  • Acquire specific factual knowledge about the history, political structure, development, culture and society of Palestine (see aim four above)
  • Comprehend the complex global and local historical and political context of Palestine and the Palestine-Israel Conflict (see aim three above)
    Appreciate the diversity of contemporary Palestinian society and cultures (see aims three and four above).
Intellectual (thinking) skills
  • Critically assess the historical development of Palestinian society and culture, and the global context of Palestine-Israel conflict (see aims three and four above).
  • Engage with the study of Palestine in accordance with a multidisciplinary curriculum and a flexible study programme encompassing a comprehensive range of issues relevant to law and human rights, politics, development studies, gender, social and economical transformation, media, language, literature and cinema (see aims one and two above).
Subject-based practical skills
  • Learn to use Palestine-related reference materials and research tools, the most recent research in various areas of Palestine Studies presented in the core course and in the optional units (see aim two above).
Transferrable skills
  • The ability to organise research, formulate arguments, gather and evaluate data, formulate conclusions and present these in a coherent and clear manner (see aims one and two above).
Linguistic skills
  • To acquire/develop skills in Arabic language to Effective Operational Proficiency level
  • To demonstrate awareness of the conceptual and communicative underpinnings of Arabic and through this interlinguistic and intercultural understanding.
  • Communicate in written and spoken medium in contemporary Arabic.
  • Engage with people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds, understand the role of different frames of reference.

Employment

As a student specialising in Israeli Studies, 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.

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

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