The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich is looking for students for its MA programme in “Near and Middle Eastern Studies”. Here you can find the complete announcement:
Cultural Complexity and Academic Clarity
“The Middle East
is a region of conflicts and unable to maintain democracy and the rule of law; Islam is a violent and evil religion that produces gender inequality.” Opinions such as these have been expressed for a long time; nowadays, however, they seem to be especially en vogue. People working on the Near and Middle East operate in an atmosphere infested by prejudice, stereotyping and racism.
Knowledge makes a difference:
What do we have to offer in Munich? Is it possible to comprehend the Islamicate world, to analyse its problems and to contextualise its meaning? At the Institute of Near and Middle Eastern Studies at LMU Munich, we conduct research on the history, cultures and societies of the Near and Middle East in its full diversity. Included in the Islamicate world are different religions with their various communities; but also different languages, a full array of literatures, history and modern media. While working on the history, society and culture of the region, Near and Middle East experts at our institute never fail to pay attention to the problematic connections between the Islamicate world and Western and Central Europe. In Germany, only LMU Munich offers an MA programme that includes Judaic Studies as an integral part of cultural studies of the Near and Middle East.
Essentials:
Working with texts, images, and space; and doing field research. Religion is one of several factors, and politics is just one, very important, aspect. We work neither as theologians nor as political scientists, but we do not confine ourselves to philological work, either. In Munich, cultural studies is based on philology but transcends it.
We look for students with:
Intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, perseverance, initiative, a knack for learning languages and the ability to take pleasure in critical discussion. Finally, most courses are in German; so you should know that language as well.
We therefore welcome:
Applications from people holding a BA in a relevant field and a good working knowledge of at least one Near Eastern language, who are enthusiastic about their studies and have already demonstrated their potential.
What we have to offer:
- Competence in the history and culture of the Near and Middle East.
- An opportunity to deepen and broaden proficiency in the three great
literary languages of the Islamicate world (Arabic, Persian, Turkish) and in Hebrew, as well as training in additional languages of the region: Armenian, Aramaic, Kurdish (Kurmanji), Uzbek. - Research-oriented studies – many seminars, no lectures.
- Opportunities to specialise – but also the option to pursue a broad
field of interest. In any case, with us, your learning is in close contact with research! - A very good departmental library – moreover, the Institute is situated in close vicinity to the Bavarian State Library, holding one of the best collections on the Near and Middle East in the world.
- Close contact with disciplines such as Eastern and Southeastern
European history, Jewish history, Byzantine studies, history studies, history of Islamic Art, Southeast European studies, Islamic/Arabic philosophy, theology, cultural philosophy, cultural anthropology and European ethnology. - Excursions, support for field research and study trips in the Near
and Middle East. - The opportunities and facilities offered by LMU Munich, one of the
most prestigious universities in Bavaria, Germany and Europe. - An international atmosphere. Currently, academicians from ten
countries teach at our institute. - No tuition fees at LMU Munich!
- Especially, however: Intensive supervision. We care for our students.
- Lastly, of course: Munich! The English Garden is just 133 m away from
the Institute.
The MA programme starts:
In the winter term. Applications are accepted until June 15th, 2019.
For further information:
- on the programme: www.naher-osten.lmu.de/ma
- on the application process: www.naher-osten.lmu.de/ma_bewerbung