MA in Middle Eastern Studies in Tel Aviv University

 

 

The ongoing conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, the aftermath of the Arab Spring, the Syrian civil war as well as other major issues gain much attention worldwide. If you would like to have a closer look at the Middle East, why not study at the very heart of it?

 

Tel Aviv University offers an MA in Middle Eastern Studies track that suits candidates who consider having a career in diplomacy, journalism, NPOs and NGOs or strategic tanks that involve life and work in The Middle East.

 

 

TAU Middle Eastern Studies master's track includes several core courses and seminars that focus on the history of Islam and of The Middle East since the Middle Ages to nowadays, with special attention to changes that occurred in modern times. Students may choose elective seminars in various subjects such as media and journalism in the Middle East, Arab Spring, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and other areas. All classes are studied in English.

 

 

TAU offers both thesis and non-thesis programs. Both will be studied in three consecutive semesters (10 months). Students who choose to write a thesis may extend their studies for an additional semester. In the non-thesis track all students must complete 8 seminars, 3 core seminars and 5 electives, while in the thesis track you must take 3 core seminars, 4 electives and one research seminar.

 

Students have to decide which track to take by the end of the second (spring) semester. They may take language classes in Arabic, Hebrew or Turkish. In the thesis track there is an obligation to take Hebrew classes or pass a Hebrew proficiency exam in case you have prior knowledge of the language.

 

 

TAU's Middle Eastern MA track includes many extracurricular activities such as film screenings, field trips to Arabic cities around Israel, optional trips to Arabic countries (Jordan, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia, every year one or two destinations are selected) and more.

 

Note that students must pay for the extracurricular activities and language classes in addition to the tuition fees.

 

 

* History of the Middle East in Modern Times

* Globalization, Media and Civil Society 

* Radical Islamic Movements

* The Roots of the Arab-Israeli Conflict

* Women in Islamic Culture – Past and Present

* The Arab Spring

* Jordan and the Palestinians

* Religion and Identity in Contemporary Muslim Societies

 

 

The lecturers in the program are renowned experts that studied and taught in the best institutions around the world. The professors have massive practical and academic experience in their fields. Among them: the former ambassador to Jordan; a past member of the Israeli delegation in the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks; and other scholars who received both national and international acclaim.

 

 

Candidates must complete their undergraduate degree before beginning the international MA track in Israel. The requirements are: GPA of 3.0 (80) or above, two letters of recommendation and a personal essay. In case students are not native English speakers they must pass an English proficiency test such as IELTS and TOEFL.

 

 

Graduates of the program will receive a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies by Tel Aviv University.