Do Islam and the Middle East interest you? Would you like to specialize in these areas?

Studies in the department – one of the oldest and largest in the Faculty of the Humanities and the largest department of Islamic and Middle-Eastern Studies in Israel – span the history of Islam and Muslims from their advent in the seventh century to this day – from Pakistan in the east to the Maghreb in the west. The learning topics in the department include premodern and modern history, religion and ritual, sects, religious law and institutes, art and material culture, and the sociopolitical development of Islamic nations.

This broad expanse, in terms of historical continuity, geographic space and variety of topics, places the department at the forefront of Islamic and Middle-Eastern studies in Israel. As part of the humanities, the studies in the department are directed at developing independent and critical thinking, acquiring empirical methods, and expanding the learner’s horizons.

 

Learning Areas

The curriculum provides knowledge and specialization in a variety of areas, including:

• Islamic history
• Religion, society and state in the Middle Ages
• The emergence of the modern Middle East
• The Arab state system
• Islamic movements
• Sunna-Shia relations
• Relations between Islam and the West
• Israeli-Arab relations
• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Gender
• Social history
• Art, material culture and cinema

Year 1 of the program is dedicated to the acquisition of basic knowledge and skills for getting to know the Middle East and Islam and their academic study. In this year, the students are required to complete historical introductory courses on Islam and the Middle East, from the seventh century to the fall of the Ottoman Empire. In addition, the program includes a beginner’s course in Arabic and the Pathways to Research Course, which provides academic reading and writing skills.

Year 2 is dedicated to deepening the knowledge acquired in Year 1, combined with specializations. This year includes an introductory course on the Modern and Contemporary History of the Middle East, Advanced Arabic, and a variety of elective courses.

Year 3 of the program is devoted to further deepening and applying the skills acquired in previous years. In this year, the students are required to write a research (seminary) paper that demonstrates their academic reading and writing skills, take textual-topical courses in Arabic, and complete their elective course requirements.

As a rule, course assignments are submitted in Hebrew. In special cases, students may request permission to submit assignments in English or Arabic.

 

What if I’m exempted from Arabic studies?

Have you passed the exemption test or been exempted from Arabic for any other reason? Great! The department offers several tracks that do not include Arabic studies.

Specialization in Iranian, Turkish or Bahai Studies

Program without Middle-Eastern language studies (for exempted students)

 

Further Occupational and Academic Directions

In both the government and civil sectors, there is great demand for experts able to study, analyze and address various aspects of Islam and the Middle East. A degree from our department will give you an advantage in integrating into a variety of future career directions:

• Studies for advanced degrees and an academic career
• Employment in the government sector
• Employment in the media
• Employment in research institutes
• Employment in political organizations
• Employment in the education system
• Employment in corporations with business contacts in the Middle East

Third-year students are offered the course “The Middle East Outside Academia”. During the course, you will be able to have an internship in a variety of institutes and organizations, including cultural institutes, civil society organizations, government ministries, and NGOs.

The course provides four credit points and includes 120 internship hours. Course moderators are Prof. Abigail Jacobson and Prof. Liat Kozma. The admission process includes an interview.

For more detailed information about the various tracks in the department, see:

• Arabic for Beginners
• Advance Arabic or exemption
• Specialization in Iranian or Turkish Studies
• Specialization in Bahai Studies
• Single major track (please contact the department administration)

Admission >

 

 

*Studies are conducted in Hebrew (there are several courses in English)
An exemption level is required in Hebrew.
For details about Hebrew studies, please contact Mrs. Orit Krakover, Head of the Department for Overseas Students: oritk@savion.huji.ac.il