Middle East Studies (Thesis) (English)

The Middle Eastern Studies Program at Ibn Haldun University’s History Department provides postgraduate students with a comprehensive and historically grounded examination of the Middle East, focusing on the region’s political, cultural, and intellectual development. The program spans a broad temporal and thematic range, encompassing key historical processes such as colonialism, nationalism, the formation of nation-states, military interventions, and ongoing contemporary transformations. While anchored in historical analysis, the curriculum incorporates interdisciplinary approaches to enable a nuanced understanding of the region’s current affairs.  Students will engage deeply with research, historiographical debates, and academic sources, and will receive methodological training in historical inquiry, critical theory, and comparative regional analysis. Thus, they will be gaining the critical tools necessary their research. Courses are enriched by contributions from regional scholars, with some instruction delivered online by academics based in countries such as Qatar and Syria. Access to specialized research resources and opportunities for original scholarship further enhance the academic experience. The program ultimately prepares graduates for diverse career paths in academia, diplomacy, NGOs, cultural institutions, or continued doctoral studies. This program is intended for students and professionals with a strong interest in the historical evolution of the Middle East and a desire to develop specialized regional expertise. It is particularly suited for graduates of history, political science, international relations, religious studies, and Middle Eastern languages who wish to pursue advanced academic research or professional careers requiring extensive knowledge of the region. The program also welcomes practitioners working in government, cultural heritage, journalism, and international organizations who seek to enhance their analytical and research capabilities within a historically grounded framework. A commitment to critical inquiry, cultural understanding, and scholarly rigor is expected of all applicants.