Arabic, Islamic and Semitic Studies
Arabic, Islamic and Semitic Studies (M.A.)
The focus of the degree program is the study of Arabic on a linguistic as well as on a cultural-scientific basis. In this way, the role of Arabic as the linguistic-religious, but also linguistic-cultural cradle of Islam is appreciated in particular.
- Degree
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Duration of studies in semester
- 4
- Start of degree program
- Summer semester, Winter semester
- Study location
- Erlangen
- Number of students
- 1-50
- Subject group
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Special ways to study
- Part-time degree program
- Teaching language
- fully german
- Admission Requirements
- Qualification assessment
What is the degree program about?
The Erlangen-Nuremberg Master’s degree program AIS (Arabic, Islamic and Semitic Studies) focuses on Arabic as a language and textual culture. This approach also pays particular attention to the role of Arabic as the linguistic-literary cradle of Islam. This preoccupation takes place in various overall perspectives:
- Looking at the language family to which Arabic belongs (Semitic), as well as at the cultures of Semitic language (e.g., Aramaic, Hebrew) with which the Arabic intellectual world-including the emergence and development of Islam-has had a reciprocal relationship throughout history.
- With a view to the Qur’an and its historical context of origin, Qur’anic hermeneutics and Qur’anic interpretation (classical and modern).
- With a view to the Arabic-Islamic cultural area as a whole, interested in texts and literatures; in particular, prose literature and poetry that is not Islamic in the narrow sense is included. Arabic philosophy and the Christian and Jewish text cultures of the Arabic language play a special role here.
From a formal point of view, the AIS Master’s degree program comprises the following focal points, which can be combined to a large extent via so-called “contextualization modules”:
- Arabic Literature (compulsory module): philologically grounded study of classical and modern Arabic poetry and prose, cultural-historical and political framework, textual history and textual criticism.
- Arabic Semitic Studies (elective module): indigenous Arabic grammatical writing and modern linguistic approaches to Arabic; the Arabic language in its Semitic and Afro-Asiatic context; introduction to Hebrew (biblical and modern) and Arabic-Hebrew language comparison; linguistic and cultural considerations of Jewish Arabic.
- Islamic Studies (elective): Qur’an and Qur’anic Hermeneutics – Philologically based analysis of the Qur’anic text and its historical-critical contextualization; study of historical as well as modern interpretations of the Qur’an; social and cultural history of the Arab-Islamic world with special emphasis on Arabic philosophy; training in mediating between the Islamic internal perspective and the secular or scientific external perspective in the context of interdisciplinary courses.
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The degree program is studied in one of two concentrations (electives):
- Emphasis Arabic Studies-Semitic Studies or
- Emphasis Islamic Studies.
In addition, there are compulsory courses across the foci. Via so-called “contextualization modules” (see 2nd and 3rd semester), either the modules of the respective other major or courses from other degree programs can be imported.
1st semester
Cross-focus
Research Methods and Source AnalysisEmphasis Arabic Studies-Semitic Studies
Arabic Linguistics; Second Semitic LanguageEmphasis Islamic Studies
Quranic and contextual studies; social and cultural history2nd semester
Inter-focus
Classical Arabic Literature; Contextualization Module IEmphasis Arabic Studies-Semitic Studies
Semitic LinguisticsFocus Islamic Studies
Quran and Modernity3rd semester
Inter-focus
Modern Arabic Literature; Contextualization Module II, Project Module4th semester
Cross-focus
Research colloquium; Master thesis -
You can take up activities in the following areas:
- In the intercultural field at the intersection of business, politics and culture (tourism industry, public relations or in national and international institutions).
- In the field of administrations, associations and companies, especially at the intersection of Europe and the Middle East
- In development aid, economic and political consulting, security policy, migration and integration policy
- Regional analyst in public institutions, private foundations, companies, banks, international organizations and in the journalistic field
- In the diplomatic service
- In foreign language teaching and political education
- In research
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- Admission requirements (first semester)
- Qualification assessment
- Application deadline winter semester
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15.07.
- Application deadline summer semester
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15.02.
- Content-related admission requirements
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In principle, this Master’s degree program can be taken up by Bachelor’s graduates from fields of study with thematic reference to the Arab world, Islam or the Orient in a broader sense, e.g. Arabic Studies, Oriental Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Religious Studies with a focus on Islam, Linguistics with a focus on Arabic, Semitic Studies, Languages and Cultures of the Islamic World, African Studies with a focus on Arabic/Islam. Provided that a solid knowledge of Arabic is available (see admission requirements), graduates from the fields of Jewish Studies and Jewish Studies can also be admitted.
If you are interested in the Master’s degree program and have a degree in a subject not listed here or from abroad, please be sure to contact the Master’s representatives. Further information on admission requirements can be found under the corresponding menu item.
Applicants must prove that they have completed their first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or at least equivalent) in one of the following subjects: Arabic Studies, Oriental Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Religious Studies with a focus on Islam, Linguistics with a focus on Arabic, Semitic Studies, Languages and Cultures of the Islamic World, African Studies with a focus on Arabic/Islam. Provided a solid knowledge of Arabic is available (see below), graduates from Jewish Studies and Jewish Studies may also be admitted.
- An overall grade of at least “good” (2.5) is sufficient for the previous university degree; applicants with an overall grade of 2.51 to 3.00 will undergo an individual admission interview.
- For an application in the current final semester of the BA program, proof of 140 ECTS credits is sufficient.
- Knowledge of Arabic at least on level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (proof of Arabic courses amounting to 40 ECTS credits or UniCert level II).
Language skills
- German language skills for international applicants
- DSH 2 or equivalent
- General language skills
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Language skills in Arabic at least on level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (proof of Arabic courses amounting to at least 40 ECTS credits or equivalent language certificates, e.g. UNIcert level II or higher).
Do you need help or more information?
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