Middle Eastern Studies (MA)
About the programme
The one-year (60 EC) master’s in Middle Eastern Studies provides intensive and comprehensive training with a flexible programme format allowing you to focus on your specific interests. The programme prepares you for a range of careers requiring specialist language or cultural knowledge.
In addition to one compulsory core course in Theories and Methods in Middle Eastern Studies, you can choose courses in historic and contemporary manifestations of cultures, languages, literatures and religions, either directed at the Middle East in general, or at one of the regions of the Middle East in depth, namely the Arab world, the Ottoman and Turkish world, the Persianate world, and Israeli society from the period of political Zionism to the present day.
In 2018-2019, you will take one common core course of 10 EC, Theories and Methods in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, 30 EC of courses related to the specialisation of your choice and, furthermore, write a thesis of 20 EC, discussing your progress in a thesis seminar.
From 2019-2020 onwards you will still take one of more courses on theories and methods related to doing academic work on the Middle East. Besides this (these) course(s) you can choose courses in historic and contemporary manifestations of cultures, languages, literatures and religions, either directed at the Middle East in general, or at one of the regions of the Middle East in depth, namely the Arab world, the Ottoman and Turkish world, the Persianate world, and Israeli society from the period of political Zionism to the present day. In line with one of these courses the you will write a thesis.
Programme structure
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Course overview per specialisation
The Middle Eastern Studies programme offers courses focused on Arabic Studies, Islamic Studies, Israeli Studies, Modern Middle Eastern Studies, Persian Studies and Turkish Studies. Please check the links below for an overview of courses offered within these specialisations (in 2018-2019):
Please note that these courses are offered within the context of specialisations during the current academic year. The curriculum for next year (2019-2020) will be structured differently: there will no longer be specialisations. Most courses offered in the specialisations will however be taught, but may slightly differ in content.
Internships
As a Middle Eastern Studies student you will be able to do an internship. This will be extra-curricular and does not count towards your degree. In recent years students have been doing internships at the following organisations:
- Embassies and consulates of the Netherlands in Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Hague, the Netherlands
- Dialogue for Common Future Association, Istanbul, Turkey UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, Beirut, Lebanon
- Stichting Greenpeace, The Netherlands
- Nederlands Centrum voor Handelsbevordering, The Hague, The Netherlands
Master's thesis
The programme is concluded with a Master's thesis of 20 EC. Some examples of Master's theses written by students in this programme:
- The Iran-Russia Nexus (Development of Bilateral Relations 2012-2015)
- Nationality and Ethnicity in the Western Sahara: The Role of Morocco in Shaping Perceptions of Identity
- Subjects of Stability: Understanding the stability of the Qaboos regime through the views and experiences of Omani students
- The "ethnic-split" in contemporary Israeli Politics and the Israel-Palestinian Conflict
- Gender and Feminism in post-2009 Iran - Tracing a Pictorial Discourse in Mana Neyestani’s Cartoons
- Who turns the tap? The impact of non-state actors on the hydro-hegemony of Turkey
Educational methods
- Seminars
- Self-study
- Internship (optional)
Assessment methods
- Papers
- Peer feedback and assessment
- Essays, reports
- Oral presentations
- MA thesis
Detailed programme
For a detailed programme, see the e-Prospectus. Please note that this guide applies to the current academic year. As the programme will be differently structured next year, changes will occur. Most courses of the specialisations will however be taught, but may slightly differ.
Tsolin Nalbantian
Senior University Lecturer
“Students of this master's programme are surrounded by faculty who are as diverse in their backgrounds as they are in their teaching and research interests. This diverse academic environment encourages students to pursue their own interests; all while being exposed to a wide variety of new experiences and ideas.”
Many career paths
“When it comes to the careers of our graduates, the sky is the limit. Our alumni go on to become journalists, NGO workers, teachers, academics, consultants, and diplomats, to name a few of their many career paths.”
Long-term commitment
“We aim to nurture in our students a long-term commitment to the region and its people. The training our students receive at Leiden provides them with the skills to connect with the people, customs, experiences, and history of the Middle East: skills that are of increasing importance in a great many organisations today.”
Mark Rutgers
Dean
“Many of our master’s students discover the quality of our programmes only after they join us. In the Netherlands, self-promotion is not a big part of our culture, yet Leiden University’s Humanities Faculty ranks alongside the most prestigious universities in the world, and is the established leader in continental Europe. What can our students expect from this programme? An education on par with the world’s best, with teaching by top researchers.”
Alumni: close-knit global community
“Your graduation from a master’s programme marks a new chapter in your relationship with Leiden University. Our alumni community is highly active in terms of network-building and development. They are valued by the university, and we support them with personal and professional development and free use of our facilities such as the Leiden University Library. This close-knit global community offers life-long support for all our former students in terms of reaching goals, maintaining friendships and expanding networks.”
Research: encouraging you to think beyond your own discipline
“Some of the most high-profile humanities research produced today is conducted at Leiden University’s Humanities Faculty. These faculty members are among a handful worldwide who can lay claim to such a depth and breadth of academic expertise. One example is our centre of excellence on Native American cultures, languages and history – a research group that is one of the best in the world. At Leiden, we can offer students expertise in most niche areas of interest. Our faculty members often work together across disciplines, and encourage students to think beyond the limits of their own discipline, which is where the future of innovative research lies.”
Careers: opportunities to develop your talent
“Decisions made during your studies have a big impact on your future. We offer you many opportunities to develop your talents both within and outside of the classroom, including internships, study trips abroad, student committees, and minors. These opportunities help define your objectives for after your studies, and equip you with additional skills and experience.”