Master of Science by Coursework in Modern Middle Eastern Studies

Differences from 2021/22 to 2022/23

1. Candidates in Mode A or ‘language track’ of the MSc in Modern Middle Eastern Studies (MMES) will be required to present themselves for a three-hour written examination in an intermediate or advanced paper in either Arabic or Hebrew Language. Mode A students will take two optional papers in Hilary and Trinity Terms, examined through 5,000 word take-home essays. Candidates in Mode B or ‘non-language track’ will take three optional papers over Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms, examined through 5,000 word take-home essays. Students will collect essay titles on Monday of week 6 of the term in which the option is taught. The deadline for submitted finished essays will be Monday Noon of 0th week in the following term in the case of Michaelmas and Hilary terms, and Friday Noon of 12th week in Trinity Term.

Candidates will choose optional papers from a list approved by the Course Committee. This list will be published in the Course Handbook at the beginning of each academic year. Candidates will choose these papers in consultation with their supervisor. With special permission of the Course Committee, candidates may choose papers offered by other relevant Master’s degrees in the University, subject also to permission by the relevant Graduate Studies Committee. Candidates will follow the same examination procedures for such options as for the listed options.

2. In addition, all candidates will be required to undertake the following assessment:

  • (i) Research Methods for Area Studies: Candidates will submit a 2,500 word maximum practical take-home testpaper in qualitative methods to be set on Monday of Week 6 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Michaelmas Term; a take-home testpaper in quantitative analysis to be set on Monday of Week 6 and submitted by 12 noon on Monday of week 9 of Hilary Term.

  • (ii) One 12,000 word dissertation (including all notes and references but excluding the bibliography): the title of the dissertation must be approved by the Course Coordinator by 12 noon on Friday of week 2 of Hilary Term in the year in which the examination is taken. The dissertation must be submitted by 12 noon of the weekday on or nearest to 1 September in the year in which the examination is taken. The dissertation must be accompanied by a statement that the dissertation is the candidate's own work except where otherwise indicated.

  • Each of the items of written work detailed above must be uploaded to the University approved online assessment platform by the times and days specified. Successful candidates will be required to deposit one copy of the dissertation in the Bodleian Library.

3. Candidates who fail the research methods course overall will be permitted to re-submit a new submission for the failed piece(s) of work within four weeks of publication of the failed mark, on a date specified by the Chair of Examiners. Candidates who fail one or more of the elements of the final examination will be permitted to resubmit the relevant work or retake the examination paper(s), as applicable, on one further occasion only, not later than one year after the first attempt.

Schedule

The structure of the course is as follows:

Either Mode A (for students who do not have sufficient Arabic or Hebrew for research purposes)

  • (a) Compulsory class in either intermediate or advanced Arabic Language, or intermediate of advanced Hebrew Language; taught throughout Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms.

  • (b) Research Methods: taken in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms (qualitative and quantitative methods respectively). 

  • (c) Optional papers: Candidates must choose two optional papers, taken in Hilary and Trinity Terms.

  • (d) Dissertation: submitted by 12 noon of the weekday on or nearest to 1 September in the year in the examination is taken.

Or Mode B (for students who have sufficient Arabic or Hebrew for research purposes)

  • (a) Research Methods: taken in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms (qualitative and quantitative methods respectively). 

  • (b) Optional papers: Candidates must choose three optional papers, taken in Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity Terms.

  • (c) Dissertation: submitted by 12 noon of the weekday on or nearest to 1 September in the year in the examination is taken.