Course summary

The MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies is a two-year taught course offering intensive Middle Eastern language training, research methods, and thematic study of the region across social sciences and humanities. The MPhil in Modern Middle Eastern Studies accepts students who are complete beginners in a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish). The course also accommodates students in Turkish and Arabic at an advanced level, as well as Arabic at an intermediate level. If you already have research-level proficiency in one of these languages you will be required to take a different language. Course structure Intensive language training takes place in classes and language laboratories through all six terms of the course. In the first term you are expected to attend the weekly MPhil Qualitative Research Methods for Modern Middle Eastern Studies lecture and seminar. You will be encouraged to attend other lectures and seminars offered by the teaching staff. In the second, third and fourth term of the course, you will attend three tutorial options. In the third term you will begin your thesis preparations, meeting with staff members to identify a thesis supervisor. During the long vacation from the end of June to early October you are urged to pursue intensive language training in an appropriate course in the region, political circumstances permitting. You are encouraged to take the opportunity provided by study abroad to conduct research for your thesis in the region. In your second year, you will continue language training, have tutorials for your third option and work on your thesis. Over the Christmas vacation research and writing of the thesis should continue. In the second term, you will attend an MPhil research seminar where you will present your research findings to your peers and faculty. To complement your studies, you will have the option to attend seminars and lectures at The Middle East Centre (MEC), which serves as both the University's Middle East Studies centre and as an Area Studies Centre of St Antony’s College. It hosts a weekly seminar, and an annual lecture, The George Antonius Annual Lecture in Trinity (summer) term.