Master Program - Contemporary Arab Studies

The Faculty of Arts offers the MA degree in Contemporary Arab Studies, which is composed of 36 credit hours. The program consists of a general stream in addition to two concentration tracks:

1. Politics of the Arab World.

2 .Geography of the Arab World.

This degree can be obtained by course work and an M.A thesis, or two seminars and a comprehensive oral exam.

The program aims at preparing qualified graduates in the areas of teaching and research.

Concentration admission Requirements:
1. Politics of the Arab World: The candidate to this concentration should have a B.A degree in History or Political Science, or a BA in any of the social sciences with a minor in Political Science or History, or have finished course work in Political Science, History or any of the disciplines equivalent to a minor. The approval of the Program Council is required for admission in the concentration.
2.Geography of the Arab World. The admission to the concentration requires a BA in geography, a BA in any of the social sciences with a minor in geography or a concentration of coursers in geography, equivalent to a minor

Program Requirements:
1. Successful completion of all the remedial courses.
2. Completion of a minimum of 36 credit hours divided as follows:

a. Core courses (15 credit hours) for all program students

ARST630 Development of Arab Islamic Thought.

ARST631 Arab West Relationship.

ARST632 Human and Political Geography of the Arab World.

ARST633 Zionism and the Arab World.

ARST634 Sources and Methodologies of Contemporary Arab Studies.

b. Electives :

General track: Completing 15 credit hours of the program course.

Concentration track: Finishing 12 credit hours of the respective concentration courses.

1. Politics of the Arab World Concentration Courses:-

ARST7311 Arab Political Systems.

ARST7321 Inter- Arab Relations.

ARST7331 The Arab World in International Politics.

ARST7321 Political Participation in the Arab World.

ARST7351 Political Decision-Making in the Arab World.

ARST7361 Special Topic.

2. Arab World Geography Concentration Courses .

ARST7312 Environmental Geography and Management of Resources in the Arab World

ARST7322 Human Settlement and Urbanization in the Arab World

ARST7332 Regional Planning in the Arab World

ARST7342 Geography Technologies in the Arab World

ARST7352 Quantitative Geography and Spatial Analysis.

ARST7362 Special Topic

3.The General Track:

ARST7333 Contemporary Arab Criticism.

ARST736 Special Topic.

c. Research Component:

Students must apply to join either of the two following tracks after completion of no less than 12 credit hours of the program requirements. The Program Council takes into consideration the student’s capabilities when considering admission to the thesis track (track A).

Track A: Thesis ARST860

Track B:

- Completion of the two Seminar Courses ( ARST830 + ARST831 )

- Passing a Comprehensive Oral Exam.

* Moving from one track to another needs the Department Council’s approval.