Programme overview
Established in 1987, this very popular programme is the oldest Masters degree in Middle East Politics in the UK.
As a student here you will examine key issues in Middle Eastern domestic and regional politics, developing a critical understanding of the patterns of state-society interaction in the region, the processes of state formation, the constitution of social and political forces, and an awareness of the different perspectives and debates within this field.
This programme particularly explores the meaning of democracy within an Arabo-Islamic setting, developing your critical awareness of debates about democracy as well as the strategies and dynamics of political liberation in the Arab world. Our discussions will be located within discourses and counter-discourses on Orientalism, Occidentalism, Islamism, secularism, and civil society; and we will apply the concepts and methodologies discussed to concrete situations through our discussion of specific case studies from the Arab Maghrib and Mashriq.
To add a further dynamic to your studies you will also have the opportunity to take a beginners level introductory course in Perisian, Arabic or Kurdish as part of this Masters programme.
Location
This programme is based and taught at Streatham Campus, Exeter, in the United Kingdom. However, the University is a member of a SOCRATES-supported European network for Studies on the Middle East, which would enable you to potentially follow some of the specially arranged courses within this project in various parts of Europe.
Duration
You may study the MA in Middle East Studies over 12 months as a full-time student, or 24 months as a part-time student.
Teaching takes place over two terms (October to April) followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September) - this will be the summer of your second year if you choose to study as a part-time student.
