Contemporary Arab Studies
This program aims at providing students with in depth and analytical knowledge of contemporary Arab issues from an Arab perspective; that is, how problems and their significance are articulated and debated in contemporary Arab discourse and in the writings of diverse Arab intellectuals.
Our aims are:
- To train scholars for researching and writing about the various (political, social, cultural) aspects of Arabic world society and understanding it’s international and regional contexts, and its impact on the Palestinians and the Arab countries.
- Provide our graduates with excellent academic research, theoretical, and critical-thinking skills.
- Contribute to the general knowledge and public debates within the university community and the community at large.
We expect our students to have a good sense and knowledge of:
- Research Methods in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
- Structure of Contemporary Arab Society.
- The nature of Contemporary Arab Culture.
- Issues and Trends in Contemporary Arab Thought.
- The Arab Political System.
- Political Geography of the Arab World.
Our students will be qualified to seek jobs at:
- research institutes in Palestine and in the Arab region.
- various media organs and newspapers.
- official government bodies and international organizations.
Program Requirements
The completion of no less than 36 credit hours distributed as follows:
1. Compulsory Courses:(15 credits hours)
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Course No |
Course Title |
Prerequisite(s) |
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Research Methods in the Social Sciences and Humanities |
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Contemporary Arab Society: Social and Developmental Issues |
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Contemporary Arab Thought: Issues and Trends |
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The Arab Political System |
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Political Geography of the Arab World |
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Note: All students are required to complete ARST630 within the first 15 credits of their registration in the program.
2. Elective Courses: (15 credit hours)
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Course No |
Course Title |
Prerequisite(s) |
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Issues of Citizenship, Diversity and Integration in the Arab World |
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The Arab City |
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Education and Schooling in the Arab World |
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Issues in Development in the Arab World |
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The Economy of the Arab World |
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Women in Contemporary Arab Society |
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Globalization and the Arab World |
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The Arabs and Modernity |
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Contemporary Trends in Islamic Thought |
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Arab Nationalism, Pan-Arabism and Politics of Identity |
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Democracy and Political Movements in the Arab World |
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Zionism and the Arab World |
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Studies in Contemporary Arab Literature |
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Issues in Media and the Communication Revolution in the Arab World |
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Orientalism and Occidentalism |
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Studies in Arab Popular Culture |
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Note: ARST739can be calculated as an elective course instead of one of the elective courses from the above mentioned groups.
3. Track “A” or Track “B”:6 Credit Hours; Thesis or two Seminars
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Course No |
Course Title |
Prerequisite(s) |
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Track A |
Thesis |
The completion of no less than 15 credit hours. |
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Track B |
Seminar 1 |
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Seminar 2 |
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a university recognized by Birzeit University, with a minimum overall assessment of “Good”. The Program Committee may require admitted students to take some remedial courses when necessary, in accordance with the Academic Regulations for the Master’s Degree.
- Students must take the English language test specified by the University. According to the results of this test, the need to register for the remedial course in English language (ENGC 530) will be determined. Students are required to complete this course before the beginning of their third semester in the program, according to the academic regulations pertaining to remedial courses.
