Programme Specification for the 2022/3 academic year
MRes Middle East Studies (Social Studies)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MRes Middle East Studies (Social Studies) | Programme code | PTR1IAIIAI01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Full Time Part Time |
Academic year | 2022/3 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
This masters is designed to develop your research skills within the field of Middle East Studies. Your core training will be in social scientific philosophy and methodology, which you will then learn to apply to the study of the contemporary Middle East.
The programme is designed to develop your understanding of the history and evolution of the Middle East as a region, as well as introducing you to approaches to studying the area, and specialised quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques appropriate to this specialism.
This programme also forms part of the ESRC South West Doctoral Training Centre – a hub of world-class social sciences research.
We are now taking applications for this programme
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
- To enable you to develop a broad based and relevant knowledge of and competence in the use of research methods in the social sciences.
- To provide you with a range of transferable skills appropriate to Master's level research within the discipline.
- To equip you for a career as a professional researcher in either academic or non-academic environments.
- To set the core training in social scientific philosophy and methodology within a context covering contemporary Middle East Studies within the disciplines of the social sciences, thereby allowing you to apply the wider concepts and skills introduced in the broader social scientific setting to specific topics relevant to the research of the Middle East and Islamic world.
- To offer you a specialised training in Middle East Studies and social science research methods as a direct means of enhancing your employment skills.
4. Programme Structure
Research highlights
The Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies is home to six specialist research areas, collectively providing a study environment where students and staff benefit from access to a diverse range of world-class expertise.
The Centre for Gulf Studies
Home to the Journal of Arabian Studies and the Gulf research collection, the Centre has been hosting the world's longest running conference series on the Gulf region since 1979.
The Centre for Kurdish Studies
Academics from the Centre engage with governments, the EU and the UN on issues that involve the Kurds as well as advising prominent private sector interests and commenting in the international media.
See also: Centre for Kurdish Studies brochure
The European Centre for Palestine Studies
The sole centre for Palestine studies in Europe will host a Palestine Lecture Series featuring experts on local and international dimensions of the Palestine Question.
The Centre for Persian and Iranian Studies
In May 2010 the Centre published their first volume of the Mawlana Rumi Review, in collaboration with The Rumi Institute in Cyprus. See also: Video of Dr Leonard Lewisohn describing the work of Rumi.
The MARES Project
A three-year project focussing on the maritime traditions of the peoples of the Red Sea and Arabian-Persian Gulf.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://socialsciences.exeter.ac.uk/iais/current/postgraduatemodules/
and
http://www.ex.ac.uk/iais/ugmod.shtml (for elementary language modules)
This research training Master's programme is studied over 12 months (full time) or 24 months (part time) and is university-based throughout that period.
Stage 1
The programme comprises 180 credits in total, and includes 60 credits of generic research training, 60 credits of subject specific material (including languages), and a 60 credit dissertation:
- Four compulsory 'core' taught modules in social science research training (60 credits)
- A compulsory 'core' module in Middle East history (30 credits)
- 30 credits of options (chosen with the guidance of the programme director)
- A compulsory dissertation (60 credits)
Teaching takes place over two semesters (October to May), followed by completion of the dissertation over the summer (June to September). The syllabus therefore consists of four compulsory research training modules, one 'Middle East' political, economic and social history specialist option and a dissertation module.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARAM233 | Dissertation skills | 15 | No |
| SOCM002A | Philosophy of the Social Sciences 1 | 15 | No |
| POLM063 | Qualitative Methods in Social Research | 15 | No |
| POLM651 | State and Society in the Middle East | 30 | No |
| POLM809 | Applied Quantitative Data Analysis | 15 | No |
Optional Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARAM106 | Gender and Identity in the Middle East: Part I Constructing Selves in Social and Political Contexts | 30 | No |
| ARAM186 | International Relations of the Middle East | 30 | No |
| ARAM188 | The Middle East since 1945 | 30 | No |
| ARAM188A | The Middle East since 1945 | 15 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Integrate concepts and analyses in the field of Middle East studies and some of its associated disciplines. | Points 1-4 of the programme outcomes are developed through seminar discussion and assignments on the core Middle East politics and society module, and also in the optional social science modules. Point 5 is developed through the seminar discussion, practical exercises and essay assignments on the Social Science Data Analysis and Research Sources and Methods in Middle East, Arab and Islamic Studies modules, and through the Philosophy of Social Science module. The language requirement is developed through structured elementary and intermediate modules in Arabic, Persian, and Sorani Kurdish. | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through essay assignments and the dissertation. Language development is assessed by continuous assessment and class tests. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Demonstrate comprehension of the relationships between theory and practice in Middle East Studies and the social sciences. | Points 6 and 7 of the programme outcomes are developed primarily through seminar discussion and assignments on the Philosophy of Social Science module. Points 8 - 12 are acquired through discussion, practical exercises and assignments on the Social Science Data Analysis and Research Skills in History modules. Point 13 is a requirement of all modules. Point 14 is developed through a 3,500 word research plan and in the dissertation. | Acquisition of these skills is assessed through essay assignments and the dissertation. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
15. Think independently at an advanced level | Points 15 and 16 of the programme outcomes are requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. Points 17 and 18 are core requirements of all modules, and especially the dissertation. Point 19 is developed through seminar work on the taught modules. Point 20 is developed through the Social Science Research Management module and is applied on the dissertation. | Points 15 and 16 of the programme outcomes are assessed in all modules by essay work, and by the dissertation. Points 17 and 18 are assessed on all modules through the essays that go to make up the portfolio on which the coursework is assessed, and in the dissertation. Point 19 is reflected in seminar work and presentations. Point 20 is assessed as part of the research plan produced for the Research Sources and Methods in Middle East, Arab and Islamic Studies module, and in the dissertation. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
(http://as.exeter.ac.uk/support/admin/staff/qualityassuranceandmonitoring/tqamanual/fullcontents/)
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
The programme is not subject to accreditation and/ or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges review the quality and standard of teaching and learning in all taught programmes against a range of criteria through the procedures outlined in the Teaching Quality Assurance (TQA) Manual Quality Review Framework.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
0
18. Final Award
MRes Middle East Studies (Social Studies)
19. UCAS Code
C497
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
[Honours] Area studies
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 29/09/2008 |
Date of last revision | 07/08/2020 |
|---|
