纽约大学

The program has three elements: (1) a coherent sequence of courses on the region, totaling 32 points; (2) a demonstrated ability in one modern language of the area; and (3) a master’s thesis or report (or other project developed in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies) written under the supervision of an adviser. The program includes an optional internship course. The degree is typically completed in two years (four semesters) of full-time study; students may also, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, complete the program on a faster and more intensive timeline, or they may study part-time.

Course of Study: The 32 points of coursework include two required courses, Problems and Methods in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, MEIS-GA 1687, and History of the Middle East, 1750-Present, MEIS-GA 1642, and a distribution requirement. The distribution requirement consists of at least one course each from two disciplines other than history, such as, but not limited to, anthropology, comparative literature, economics, media studies, politics, or sociology. With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, an advanced history seminar may be substituted for MEIS-GA 1642. Students select the remaining four courses (16 points) according to their individual research interests, in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Language Requirement: To complete the degree, students must demonstrate proficiency at the upper-intermediate level in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. (Other languages may be considered as meeting this requirement with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.) Students with no language background may satisfy the requirement by completing four semesters (16 points) of language training at NYU. While undergraduate language courses (beginning and intermediate levels) will often be necessary to complete the degree, their credits will not count toward the 32-point MA requirement. Students who have prior language training or who take an intensive language course in the summer following their first year may satisfy the requirement by testing at an upper intermediate level of proficiency or by enrolling in an advanced class. Native speakers with fluency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking may waive this requirement with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. The program encourages all students to pursue language training through the advanced (graduate) level and graduate-level advanced language courses are available in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.