Near Eastern Studies (MA)

Program Description

The Hagop Kevorkian Center for Near Eastern Studies at New York University was created in 1966 to foster the interdisciplinary study of the modern and contemporary Middle East and to enhance public understanding of the region. The Kevorkian Center's activities focus on the histories, politics, economies, religions, cultures and languages of the area stretching from North Africa to Central Asia, and on the historical processes that have shaped the present.

The Kevorkian Center offers a master's degree program in Near Eastern Studies, along with a joint master's program with journalism, and a concentration in museum studies. These master's programs are distinct from the graduate program of NYU's Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, which offers a PhD degree program. The Kevorkian Center and the MEIS Department work together closely to promote the study of the Middle East at NYU. The Center's faculty is drawn from many academic departments and programs at NYU and includes a number of visiting scholars each year.

The Kevorkian Center organizes research workshops, seminars, and other forums to encourage new perspectives on the Middle East and foster exploration of interactions and parallels with other world regions. These events showcase new research by both established and younger scholars and foster discussion of current events and policy issues relating to the Middle East.

The Kevorkian Center sponsors an active public education and outreach production and distribution of curricula and other educational resources. Each year nearly 100 teachers from public and private schools across the New York metropolitan area participate in Center-sponsored workshops on the Middle East, and many more benefit from resources and links available through the Center's outreach website. Center-affiliated faculty share expertise on the Middle East with journalists and government agencies on a regular basis and discuss current events and policy issues at university and community events.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See Near Eastern Studies for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 32 credits, and offers three concentrations which are completed with 40 credits. See concentration details below.

¹

With the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), an advanced history seminar may be substituted for MEIS-GA 1642 Hist of Mid East: 1750 - Present.

²

Consists of at least one course each from two disciplines other than history, such as, but not limited to, anthropology, comparative literature, economics, media studies, politics, or sociology.

³

Chosen in consultation with the DGS.

Concentrations

Advanced Language Proficiency

The Master of Arts program in Near Eastern Studies with a concentration in Advanced Language Proficiency allows students room in their plan of study to pursue 8 additional graduate-level language credits toward their degree, thereby encouraging advanced and literary proficiency in a Middle Eastern language.  Students must complete 40 credits of graduate coursework, 32 credits of Near Eastern studies as noted above plus 8 additional credits of graduate level language or literature courses.

Museum Studies

The Master of Arts program in Near Eastern studies with a concentration in Museum Studies is designed for those who intend to pursue careers in museums and cultural organizations and for those currently employed in the field who wish to acquire formal training. In addition to the required courses, students choosing this concentration must complete a full summer internship in a museum or cultural institution (non-credit).

International Relations

The Master of Arts program in Near Eastern Studies with a concentration in International Relations prepares students for careers as professionals, practitioners, and scholars in the field of international relations. Additionally, the concentration is designed to train students as Middle East area specialists for future work in government service, think tanks, multilateral organizations, private corporations, consulting firms, or non-governmental organizations.

Additional Program Requirements

Language Requirement

All recipients of the MA in NEST must either enter the program with upper intermediate proficiency in a Middle Eastern language, or they must reach upper intermediate proficiency while enrolled in the MA in NEST.

To complete the degree, students must demonstrate proficiency at the upper-intermediate level in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish. (Other languages may be considered as meeting this requirement with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies.) Students who have prior language training or who take an intensive language course in the summer following their first year may satisfy the requirement by testing at an upper intermediate level of proficiency or by enrolling in an advanced class. Native speakers with fluency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking may waive this requirement with the permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. The program encourages all students to pursue language training through the advanced (graduate) level.

Many students will still need to take 2-4 semesters of undergraduate language courses to fulfill the upper intermediate language requirement. However, these credits, although they will appear on the student’s transcript, will not contribute to the 32 graduate credits needed for degree completion.

Master’s Thesis or Report

The master’s thesis should generally have the format, style, and length of a substantial scholarly article in a Middle Eastern studies field. Alternatively, it can have the format and style of a professional report, with a length and substance similar to a scholarly article. In either case, it must present the author’s own research and relate this to existing scholarly understandings of the topic or field. Students should begin discussing possible topics for the thesis or report by the end of their first year and should select a topic and an adviser, in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies, before the end of their third semester. Students are encouraged to conduct research on their topic during the summer following their first year.

Internships

The internship program draws on the resources of New York City as a center of international politics and culture. Internships provide practical training in the kinds of research and report writing required for careers in public and nongovernmental service, policy research, cultural affairs, and political advocacy. The internship program enables students to make professional contacts in fields they are interested in joining and to share their skills with organizations as they explore a particular field or issue. Organizations providing internships include (but are not limited to) human rights organizations, United Nations agencies and missions, media organizations, policy research groups, and other nongovernmental organizations. The internship involves 10-15 hours of work per week during one semester. Students receive up to 4 credits toward the degree by registering for Internship, NEST-GA 2996 Internship. They must submit weekly progress reports on their internship project as well as mid- and end-of-semester reports.

Sample Plan of Study

Concentrations

International Relations

Advanced Language Proficiency

Museum Studies

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have obtained the following:

Language Skills

Students are expected to develop the language skills necessary to read primary materials and carry out research in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish or Urdu/Hindi.  Students must demonstrate proficiency at the upper-intermediate level in one of the above languages in order to graduate.  This is achieved through coursework and intensive summer language programs and is measured by language instructors.  

Interdisciplinary Knowledge about the Middle East

Students are expected to become familiar with a variety of disciplinary approaches towards the study of the Middle East.  Students should be able to combine and engage with various approaches to the study of the Middle East in their papers and in their thesis project.  Students meet this requirement by taking the core course “Problems and Methods” during their first year.  In addition, they are required to take at least one course each from two of the following disciplines: anthropology, economics, politics, or sociology.  Students are also expected to participate in the many events organized by the center, which include speakers from a wide range of backgrounds.  

The Ability to Think Historically

Students are expected to develop the ability to think in historically specific ways and to situate contemporary events within a larger historical perspective.  This should be reflected in their written work and in their thesis project.  All students are required to take “History of the Modern Middle East: From 1750 to the Present” or with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, an advanced history seminar.  

Analytical Skills

Students are expected to learn how to identify arguments, evaluate their merit and coherence, explore their implications, and interpret evidence.  They are also expected to develop and articulate their own arguments and interpretations.  Students learn how to think analytically through close readings of texts, short and long writing assignments, presentations and class participation.  They also develop and demonstrate their analytical skills while working on their MA thesis.    

Research & Writing Skills

Students are expected to develop their writing &  research skills throughout the program.  All our courses include writing requirements, including weekly reaction papers, presentation papers, book reviews, literature reviews, and research papers.  All students are also expected to develop extensive research skills while working on their MA thesis.  Depending on the nature of the project, this can include ethnographic, archival as well as library and primary research.   In order to help students develop a research project and articulate it in a coherent manner, students are required to write a thesis proposal in the fall of their second year and get it approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.  The students are urged to take an MA Thesis workshop with the DGS during their third and/or fourth semester, to develop their writing and research skills.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.