Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Leeds

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1 School of Languages, Cultures and Societies Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Leeds UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

2 Important information The information contained in this brochure is accurate at the date of publication. However, courses, University services and the content of this brochure remain subject to change. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or to keep courses contemporary through updating practices or areas of study. Circumstances may arise outside the reasonable control of the University, leading to required changes. Such circumstances include, industrial action, unexpected student numbers, significant staff illness (where a course is reliant upon a person s expertise), unexpected lack of funding, severe weather, fire, civil disorder, political unrest, government restrictions and serious concern with regard to the transmission of serious illness making a course unsafe to deliver. After a student has taken up a place with the University, the University will look to give early notification of any changes and try to minimise their impact, offering suitable alternative arrangements or forms of compensation where it believes there is a fair case to do so. Offers of a place to study at the University will provide up to date information on courses. The latest key information on courses can be found at ac.uk/coursefinder. Please check this website before making any decisions. The University s contract with its students (following an acceptance by a student of any offer of a place) does not confer third-party benefits for the purposes of the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act WHAT WILL I STUDY For centuries a hub for high culture, civilisation, art, architecture and spirituality, the Middle East has long been a fascinating region to study. Today, given the economic importance of the Middle East and its changing political landscape since the Arab Spring began in 2011, there is a pressing need for experts who have knowledge of the history, politics and religious traditions of the region. There is therefore no better time to be considering a degree in Arabic, Islamic or Middle Eastern Studies. Current teaching areas include: Islamic Civilisation, Islamic Law, History of the Middle East, Arabic Literature, Culture and Society in the Arab World, Qur anic Studies, Hadith Studies, Issues in Middle East Politics, Media Arabic, Arabic Stylistics, Arab Drama on Stage and Screen, Arabic Grammar and Translation. BA Arabic and Islamic Studies TVP6 This course embraces both language study and the study of Islam in terms of its rich theological, philosophical and legal traditions. A year abroad in Morocco enhances your language competence and local knowledge. A wide range of options allow you to select between courses ranging from Qur anic studies, Turkish, Persian, literature, politics and translation studies. BA Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies QT46 Knowledge of Arabic and the Middle Eastern region is of growing importance in the modern world. This degree is a language-based programme that promises expertise in language, literature and cultural awareness. You will receive a thorough grounding in spoken and written Arabic as well as gaining substantial knowledge of Middle Eastern cultural life. The year abroad in the Middle East consolidates both language learning and cultural studies. BA Islamic Studies V622 This course offers deep understanding and true appreciation of Islamic thought and practice. It embraces traditional Islamic sciences and provides insight into the way modern Muslims interpret Islam. This degree maximises the opportunity to personalise your studies through an exploration of Islamic theology, law, philosophy and spirituality. You may wish to broaden your studies by examining how Islam is practiced in different countries, review Middle Eastern politics or build on your introduction to Arabic language study. Native Arabic speakers and those with no prior knowledge of the language may apply.

3 ARABIC, ISLAMIC AND MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES AT LEEDS The 2016 Complete University Guide places Leeds among the top 10 Middle Eastern departments in the country. Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies at Leeds always performs very well in the National Student Survey. Our degree programmes provide intensive teaching of the Arabic language, as well as courses on Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. We teach Modern Standard Arabic, which is the official written language used throughout the Arab World in virtually all formal circumstances (religious, political, commercial, literary, media, etc.). You will have the opportunity to study Arabic to an advanced level, as well as modules such as Arab and Islamic Civilisation, Modern Middle Eastern History, the Introduction to Modern Arabic Literature, Arab Drama on Stage and Screen, Culture and Society in the Arab World, Middle Eastern Politics: Regimes, Societies and Conflict, Islam and Modernity and the Islamic Law: Theory and Practice. We also lay emphasis on practical language skills, therefore students are taught to speak as well as write in Arabic. An important element of our language degrees is the second year which is spent at a language centre in an Arabic speaking country. Our active student society organises film-screenings, dances and regular socials. Our Middle Eastern Studies student society offers practical study tips, guest speakers and department socials. Our student-led Islamic society is a platform for students to gather, organise and participate in social, cultural and educational activities, as well as providing a united voice in expressing the views and aspirations of the Muslim student community. These are just two of the three hundred union societies at Leeds. The 2016 Complete University Guide places Leeds among the top 10 Middle Eastern departments in the country. Our graduates demonstrate the following highly valuable skills: expertise within a high profile, contemporary subject area; familiarity with an economically expanding part of the world; appreciation of other cultures and points of view; communication skills; project skills of research, analysis and persuasion; workplace skills of delegation, time-management and negotiation. Language students also demonstrate high-level expertise and self-reliance from the year abroad.

4 BA Middle Eastern Studies T600 This programme covers wide-ranging aspects of the history, politics, culture and society of the Middle East. Our course provides you with an in-depth understanding of the multi-ethnic and multi-religious Middle East, through exploration of its culture, politics and society. You may wish to focus on the key issues shaping the domestic and regional politics of the Middle East, study its diverse culture and people, or explore how the Arab Spring has affected the region. You can also choose to study the Arabic language. No knowledge of the Arabic language is required, although Arabic speakers are welcome and it is possible to select Arabic language as an option. For centuries a hub for high culture, civilisation, art, architecture and spirituality, the Middle East has long been a fascinating region to study. Study Abroad The year abroad component of the undergraduate degree undertaken in an Arabic speaking country provides an unforgettable experience, not only enhancing your language skills but also giving a greater understanding of the Arab world. It is designed to introduce you to Arabic and Islamic culture, while strengthening your language skills both in terms of greater literacy and in the vernacular Arabic of the country of study. Our students are hosted by the Arabic Language Institute in Fes, Morocco. Past activities have included regional tours of the host-country and extracurricular courses in calligraphy and music. Our chosen institutions have been carefully selected for their high quality methods of teaching and success in running TAFL (Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language) courses. You will be provided with the essential skills needed to communicate in Arabic effectively and clearly. There is constant liaison between the institutions and the University of Leeds and these language skills will be built on and taken further in the third and fourth years of your degree. Accommodation is either with a host family or in specially provided student accommodation. Host institutions take the welfare of students very seriously and there will be always someone to offer help and guidance. There are many opportunities to travel, either within the country or further into other Arab countries during the vacation period. If you are studying a joint honours degree combining Arabic with another language, you will spend two periods abroad. In most cases, you will spend your second year in an Arabic speaking country, and the third term of your third year in a country where your other language is spoken. However, courses combining Arabic with Chinese, Japanese or Russian are five year degree courses requiring two years abroad. Please see the course details on for further information.

5 JOINT HONOURS OPTIONS Joint honours students study the same core topics as their single honours friends, but are required to choose fewer options and discovery modules. This is to allow space in their timetable for both halves of their degree. Joint honours programmes available with Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies are: BA Arabic and Chinese BA Arabic and Classical Literature TT61 QT86 BA Arabic and Politics BA Arabic and Portuguese TL62 RT56 The intellectual range of such a degree, together with the organisational skill in combining two subject areas makes you very attractive to employers. Our courses allow you to study your chosen subjects in depth, and to graduate with an honours degree covering two disciplines. All joint honours degree courses with Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies are parented and administered by us in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies. We are responsible for dealing with admissions and for providing you with administrative, academic, and pastoral support during your time here. We will allocate to you a personal tutor who will help guide your module choices and offer support, as well as act as a point of contact for references. BA Arabic and English BA Arabic and Film Studies BA Arabic and French BA Arabic and German BA Arabic and International Business BA Arabic and International Development BA Arabic and International Relations BA Arabic and Italian BA Arabic and Japanese BA Arabic and Linguistics BA Arabic and Management QT36 WR55 RT16 RT26 1TN0 LT26 TLP2 RT36 TT62 QT16 TN62 BA Arabic and Russian A BA Arabic and Russian B BA Arabic and Spanish BA Arabic and Theatre and Performance BA Arabic and Theology and Religious Studies BA French and Middle Eastern Studies BA Middle Eastern Studies and Politics BA Middle Eastern Studies and Sociology RT76 RTR6 RT46 T6W4 TV66 RTC6 TLQ2 TL6H

6 ADMISSIONS AND CONTACTS Access to Leeds Access to Leeds is the University of Leeds widening access scheme and guarantees special consideration for applicants whose personal circumstances may affect their ability to demonstrate their full potential through grades alone. Entry Requirements The latest entry requirements for all our programmes are listed online at Admissions information Admission to our undergraduate programme should be made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) Successful applicants receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. Applications are welcomed from students who meet the eligibility criteria and have the potential to study at the University of Leeds. For more information please go to or accesstoleeds@leeds.ac.uk Contact Us Tel: lcsadmissions@leeds.ac.uk University of Leeds Leeds, United Kingdom LS2 9JT Tel