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V. The MA ProgramA. MA requirements for All Programs1. PrerequisitesA relevant BA degree is normally required for admission to the MA program. Students may apply to the MA program, however, if they have done superior work in a related field. (See Section IV, Admissions) For many programs, e.g., modern Middle Eastern languages and cultures, it is expected that students will already have had one or more years of language study. For programs in ancient studies, such as Mesopotamian studies and Egyptology, most students will begin their language study in graduate school. It is highly recommended that students have already learned modern “languages of scholarship,” notably French and German, or at least one of these, before beginning graduate school. 2. Credit hoursStudents must complete at least 27 hours of graduate credits, 4 of which must be from cognate courses, that is, courses from another department relevant to the specialty (and approved by the student’s advisor). In most instances these credit hours will be accumulated by the end of the third or fourth semester of graduate work. Students must take a majority of their total credit hours for the MA in courses that originate in the department. All credit hours taken in the MA program are also applied to the credit hours required in the PhD program. 3. Transfer CreditsSee Rackham Graduate Student Handbook (chapter 4) for details. Up to 6 credit hours can be transferred from graduate work done at another institution. These credits must come from courses taken not more than 5 years before enrolling in the MA program. 4. Core CoursesStudents must take a set of core courses that are specified by their program of specialization and their advisor. All programs include a Near Eastern language. Students must take 6 graduate credits beyond the basic language work, as defined for each program. 5. Languages of ScholarshipSince much research and literature in every area of specialization in NES is published in languages other than English, all programs require two “languages of scholarship” for the PhD and one for the MA. Most programs require French and German (but some programs waive one of these European languages and substitute another Middle Eastern language). Other European languages may be substituted for French or German, and students may petition for this substitution. A petition entails a letter written by the student to the DGS justifying the substitution supported by a letter from the MA or PhD advisor. Reading proficiency in the language of scholarship may be demonstrated by (1) receiving a pass in a reading test administered by the department, (2) receiving a grade of B or better in the University of Michigan reading course 112 (2nd semester), or (3) receiving a B or better from the 4th semester of a language course taken as an undergraduate or during graduate enrollment. Reading proficiency in a second Middle Eastern language is satisfied by passing the 4th semester of the basic language sequence or by passing a reading test administered by the department. 6. Rackham Graduate School RequirementsResidence requirement is completion of one-half of the required hours for the degree on the home campus. The maximum time limit from date of first enrollment is 6 years. Formal application for the degree must be submitted to Rackham by the end of the 4th week of a full term or the end of the first week of the Summer half term. 7. Terminal MAStudents not seeking to change their status to the PhD program receive their MA upon completion of the above requirements. There is no thesis or MA examination. Students who petition to change their status to the PhD program must submit their transcripts, a letter from a potential PhD chair, and a graduate seminar paper. If the petition is denied, an MA will be awarded. B. MA Program Descriptions and Suggested Courses1. Mesopotamian and Ancient Near Eastern StudiesThe focus of the MA program is on the languages, literatures, history,
culture and archaeology of Mesopotamia and on neighboring ancient states
and cultures. Language courses in Sumerian and Akkadian are regularly
scheduled, and offerings in Hittite are also available. The MA program
in Mesopotamian studies emphasizes both the original contexts in which
texts and artifacts were produced and the modern means for their interpretation.
Students are encouraged to take courses in Anthropology, Classical Studies,
Comparative Literature, and other units on campus.
Languages: (18 hours) Lecture courses: (6 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 Hours) 2. EgyptologyThe program in Egyptology centers on the study of Middle Egyptian language
and scripts, and the history, archaeology, religion, and culture of ancient
Egypt. Other phases of the Egyptian language are also covered. Students
are also advised to enroll in courses on Mesopotamia, ancient Israel,
and the Mediterranean world in order to contextualize the civilization
of Ancient Egypt. The program also emphasizes research on the Egyptian
collections in the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology through participation
in exhibitions, object-oriented independent study, and fieldwork. Students
are encouraged to take advantage of the resources of the Papyrology Collection
of the University Library. Languages: (12 hours) Lecture courses and seminars: (9 hours) Related courses in ACABS: (3 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 3. Ancient Israel and Hebrew Bible StudiesIn the MA program the languages, literatures, histories, and cultures of Ancient Israel and its neighbors are investigated. In addition to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Ugaritic courses, Mesopotamian languages, Greek, and Arabic can be elected. A rotating series of seminars presents special topics to graduate students in the areas of history, language, religion and methods. The ways of life and cultures of ancient Israel are studied within a broad ancient Near Eastern context and also with reference to formal anthropological, historical, literary, and religious modes of analysis. Students are encouraged to take courses in Anthropology, Classical Studies, Comparative Literature, and other units on campus. Students are also encouraged to participate in archaeological investigations in the Middle East during summers. Prerequisites: Languages: (18 hours) Seminars: (9 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 4. Arabic Language and LiteratureThe track in Arabic Literature and Language requires a minimum of 30 credit hours excluding the prerequisite courses. Applicants to the program are expected to demonstrate through their prior coursework a serious interest in the study of the Middle East, including the study of Modern Standard Arabic. The time required for completion of this degree depends on the student's academic background and experience. Applicants with adequate undergraduate preparation and a strong background in Arabic/Islamic studies may complete this degree in 3-4 semester of full-time study. Maximum time limit for graduation is six consecutive years from date of first enrollment. Prerequisites: Requirements: In addition, students must select two additional courses relevant to
their area of specialization form the following: AAPTIS 403 - Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I Students who have already achieved advanced level proficiency may take
AAPTIS 567 with a change of the content of the course or any of the following
courses: Electives: (3 Credit Hours) Cognates: (6 Credit hours) Academic Writing: (optional) 5. Arabic for Professional Purposes (APP)The MA in Arabic for Professional Purposes (APP) is composed of a blend of courses in Arabic language, linguistics, literature and culture, as well as courses in other disciplines (anthropology, history, political science, business, public policy) that will permit each student to emphasize particular interests within the comprehensive MA in Arabic Studies program. As indicated in the APP curriculum that follows, it consists of 8 required core courses in Arabic language, and literature, 2 elective courses in Arabic literature and linguistics and 2 cognate courses related to Middle Eastern Studies. A particular strength of the APP track is its rigorous language training which includes intensive advanced Arabic study and internships abroad appropriate to students' interests during their course of study. The APP program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours excluding the prerequisite courses. Students who need remedial Arabic language training to meet the prerequisites must take the courses required with no credit counted toward the Master's degree. The pace at which courses are taken is flexible. The time required for completion of this degree depends on the student's academic background and experience. Applicants with adequate undergraduate preparation and a strong background in Arabic may complete this degree in two years of full-time study. Maximum time limit to graduation is six consecutive years from date of first enrollment. Course work OR the equivalent of two years in Arabic Core Courses: Arabic Language, Literature and Linguistics (21 credit
hours) AAPTIS 403 - Advanced Modern Standard Arabic I In addition, students must select two additional courses of one of the following dialects: AAPTIS 415 - Colloquial Egyptian Arabic I
Electives: Courses in Arabic Language, literature and linguistics (6 credits) AAPTIS 409 - Business Arabic I Cognates: Courses related to the Middle East (9 Credit hours) Anthropology 409 - Ppl&Cultrs of Near East and North Africa Program Exit Requirements: At the end of the APP. track, students must take the Arabic Proficiency Test to be administered by the MA program advisor, Professor R. Rammuny, in the Department of Near Eastern Studies, in order to demonstrate competency in Arabic at the 2+ ACTFL level or above. The NES Department is the home of the Arabic Proficiency Test, which was developed by Professor R. Rammuny in 1992 through a USDE grant. Such a test is not required of students completing the other two tracks. 6. Armenian StudiesAll periods of Armenian language, literature, history and culture are taught in the Ph.D. program in the broader Near Eastern and former Soviet contexts. Courses in Western Armenian, literature, history and culture are taught regularly and Classical and Eastern Armenian in alternate years. Independent study courses are offered to ensure complete coverage when established courses are not taught, and individual courses are tailored to fit the needs and interests of students. Many courses in Armenian Studies are relevant to students specializing in fields such as Anthropology, Classical Studies, Comparative Literatures, History, History of Art, Linguistics, and Religious Studies. Professional and research interests of the faculty include Armenian language, literature, history and historiography, intellectual history, nationalism and identity, anthropology, Diaspora studies, and translation. Prerequisites: Languages: (12 hours) Literature courses: (6 hours) Courses in AAPTIS: (6 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 7. Persian and Iranian StudiesThe Persian and Iranian Studies program offers a specialization in Persian literature, history, linguistics, Iranian religions, and pre-Islamic Iranian languages and cultures. The MA program in Persian studies offers in-depth investigations in the areas of classical and contemporary Persian literature, Persian history, and Persian and Iranian linguistics. Independent study courses are available in Old Persian, Avestan, and other areas not offered on a regular basis. The program is supported by courses in the Department of Anthropology, History, Political Science, History of Art, and Economics. Professional and research interests of the faculty include literary history, literary theory and criticism, history, historiography, linguistics and dialectology, and Iranian religion. While the program chiefly prepares students for an academic career, interdisciplinary programs of study can be arranged for students interested in business or government employment. Languages: (12 hours) Lecture courses and seminars: (12 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 8. Turkish StudiesThe program trains students in the languages, history, and culture of the Turks in Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. The geographical and historical scope is defined more or less by the Seljuk Empire of Asia Minor (11th-14th century), the Ottoman Empire (14th-20th century), and the Republic of Turkey (since 1923). Turkish Studies uses methods and approaches from a number of fields within the Humanities, such as history, anthropology, comparative literature, linguistics, religious studies, or a combination thereof. The program prepares students for academic, government, and business employment. For more information, visit the Turkish Studies Web Site. Prerequisites: Languages: (15 hours) (Note: Another language spoken in the Ottoman Empire [e.g., Arabic, Persian, Armenian, Modern Greek, Albanian, Bulgarian, or Serbo-Croatian] can be considered to fulfill the second NES language requirement) Lecture courses: (9 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 9. Islamic StudiesIslamic studies specialists teach a wide range of courses in medieval and modern Near Eastern history, pertaining to the rise and development of the Islamic religion, Islamic intellectual history, and Muslim civilization. In addition to general survey courses on Islam, offerings are available in areas such as Islamic law, theology, mysticism, philosophy, Qur'anic exegesis, and Islamic culture. Seminars in Islamic studies make extensive use of original, classical Arabic sources and, hence, develop in the student essential philological skills required for research, such as the ability to understand and work with the technical terminologies of the Islamic religious and intellectual sciences. Prerequisites: Languages: (6 credits) Islamic Studies and Classical Arabic: (18 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) 10. Modern Hebrew Literature and CultureThe Modern Hebrew program educates students in Modern Hebrew language and literature, current Israeli culture, and also in earlier periods of Hebrew literature. The program is supported by courses in the programs of Judaic Studies, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, Political Science, and History. The program prepares students for academic, government, and business careers as well as employment in Jewish community activities. For more information, visit the Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies website. Prerequisites: Languages: (12 hours) Related HJCS courses: (6 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) Language of scholarship: 11. Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman WorldThe Program trains graduate students as scholars and teachers in the field of Second Temple Judaism, Christian Origins, and Rabbinics, as well as in the history, religion, and culture of Judaism and Christianity in Late Antiquity. Special attention is given to developing proficiency in ancient languages and literary analytical skills and to the study of the Graeco-Roman context in which ancient Judaism and early Christianity developed. Prerequisites: Languages: Courses: Cognate program: Language of Scholarship: 12. Jewish MysticismFor more information, visit the Hebrew and Jewish Cultural Studies website.Prerequisites: Language courses: (6 hours) Lecture courses and seminars: (9 hours) Related courses in NES: (3 hours) 1 cognate course: (4 hours) Language of scholarship: 13. Teaching Arabic as a Foreign LanguageThis program provides basic training in linguistics and foreign language teaching methodology with special emphasis on learning and teaching Arabic as a foreign language. It provides opportunity for systematic classroom observations and practice teaching, in addition to teacher training seminars and workshops. Prerequisites for the program are a B.A. in Arabic, Education, English, Linguistics, or related disciplines, and a score of 80 or better in the Michigan English Proficiency Test, 560 or better on the TOEFL for non-native speakers of English, or a score of 80% on the Arabic Proficiency Test of the American Association of Arabic for non-native speakers of Arabic. The time required for completion of this program depends on the participant's academic background and experience. Applicants with adequate preparation and a strong background in Arabic and English may complete the thirty credit hours required for this track in three semesters of full-time study. Core Courses: (15 credits) |