Program Overview

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Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (PhD)

The doctoral program of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies provides training in fields relating to the history, cultures, languages, literatures, and religions of the Middle East, focusing on the period from the rise of Islam to the present. Members of the department are drawn from different disciplines and specializations (including history, anthropology, literature, Islamic studies, language instruction, sociology, and political science) and are committed to providing students with a solid disciplinary grounding; at the same time, the department fosters innovative interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to the study of the Middle East.

Program Description

MEIS offers a program of coursework and supervised research leading to the doctorate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Students in the MEIS doctoral program concentrate their studies in one of three tracks: Islamic Studies, Literature, or Culture and Representation. In collaboration with the History Department, the department also offers a Joint PhD Program in History and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. MEIS seeks prospective graduate students who are academically well-prepared and strongly committed to pursuing the PhD; as noted above, it has no MA program and does not offer that degree. Students who are interested in obtaining the MA should apply to the Kevorkian Center's Program in Near Eastern Studies, which offers a terminal MA in Near Eastern Studies.

Dual Degree

The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Department offers a dual degree with the NYU School of Law: Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies PhD/Law JD.

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
• A non-refundable application fee

Program Requirements

Students must complete 72 credits of graduate course work, including at least three graduate seminars and Problems and Methods in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, MEIS-GA 1687 Prob & Meth in Mideast Studies.

• Required Course:
  • MEIS-GA 1687: Prob & Meth in Mideast Studies (4 credits)
• Electives:
  • Other Elective Credits (68 credits)
• Total Credits: 72

Additional Program Requirements

For PhD Students without an MA

Students who enter the department's PhD program without an MA must complete either a thesis or (with their advisor's approval) two seminar papers. This work is normally completed by the end of a student's second year of full-time study.

Written Comprehensive Exams I and II

By the end of their third year of graduate study, students should have taken and passed a written comprehensive examination in each of their two major fields. Students prepare for these examinations through course work and by working through a reading list for each field under the supervision of the faculty member who will examine them.

Language Requirements

Students must also demonstrate proficiency in one of Arabic, Persian, or Turkish as well as a reading knowledge sufficient for research purposes of at least one additional research language.

Dissertation Prospectus Defense

Students may defend their dissertation proposal after completing all coursework, fulfilling language requirements, and passing comprehensive exams.

Dissertation

On completion of all course work, the fulfillment of all language requirements, and the successful defense of the dissertation proposal, PhD candidates begin to write their dissertations. Each dissertation is read and approved by a committee of at least three faculty members before moving to a final defense.

Sample Plan of Study

The plan of study includes: 1st Semester/Term:

• MEIS-GA 1687: Prob & Meth in Mideast Studies (4 credits)
• MEIS-GA: MEIS PhD Elective course (4 credits)
• MEIS-GA: MEIS PhD Elective course (4 credits) Total Credits: 12 2nd Semester/Term:
• MEIS-GA: MEIS PhD Elective course (4 credits)
• MEIS-GA: MEIS PhD Elective course (4 credits)
• MEIS-GA: MEIS PhD Elective course (4 credits) Total Credits: 12 This pattern continues for 6 semesters, totaling 72 credits.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have acquired:

1. The ability to make a significant and original contribution to the field.
2. Proficiency in one or more of the disciplinary perspectives offered in the department, and in the theories and methods of inquiry associated with that discipline.
3. Proficiency in the language(s) relevant to the student's specific area of inquiry.
4. Ability to produce written work of publishable quality based on the standards of the discipline.
5. Proficiency in basic pedagogical approaches and classroom techniques appropriate to the field.

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.