*** Please note: The following describes a degree program still going through an approval process ***

Overview

MESALC has proposed a multi-disciplinary degree intended for students seeking graduate-level training in Middle Eastern or South Asian languages and an in-depth knowledge of the Middle East or South Asia as a region. Students would choose either the Middle East or South Asia as their regional focus, and either Arabic, Bengali, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Urdu, or Sanskrit as their regional language. Those accepted into the program would be required to enter with at least a second-year proficiency in their language (at least a first-year proficiency for Sanskrit). We anticipate that some students might be able to complete this language training through summer coursework at the University of Virginia.

We will expect students to attain at least a third-year competency in their regional language, complete a total of 30 course credits, including nine graduate-level courses in their regional concentration (27 credits in courses numbered 5000 or above, selected with the approval of the graduate advisor), and fulfill all the requirements for MESA 8995, a 3-credit research seminar (that we think students would take in the final semester), including a major research paper (on a topic determined in consultation with the graduate advisor). This degree is intended to take two years, but we think it might be completed in three semesters, provided students are able to fulfill all stated requirements.

Proposed Master of Arts in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies --
Language and Literature Concentration

We are also proposing that students particularly interested in the languages and literatures of the Middle East or South Asia be able to opt for a "Language and Literature Concentration," which would provide students with advanced training in a particular Middle Eastern or South Asian language, in part through the study of its literature. Students concentrating in Language and Literature would complete all the requirements for the MA in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies, but they would attain at least a fourth-year competency in their regional language, and they would include among their 30 graduate credits at least 18 credits of advanced language and literature coursework in MESALC (to be selected with the approval of the graduate advisor).

Proposed Admission Requirements

Applicants would be required to satisfy the general admission requirements of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Acceptance into the MA program in MESALC would likely depend upon the applicant's undergraduate performance and promise of future success.

Proposed Graduation Requirements for the Studies MA Degree

• Successful completion of the third year of the student's chosen language;
• 27 credits from regional studies courses at the 5000-level or above to be selected with the approval of the graduate advisor and to satisfy the following distribution requirements:
  • 3 credits from a course on the history of the region;
  • 3 credits from a course on religion in the region;
  • 3 credits from a course on the politics of the region; and
  • 3 credits from an upper-level literature course related to the region;
• MESA 8995, the MA research seminar, which will involve completion of a major research paper (on a topic to be determined in consultation with the graduate advisor).

Proposed Graduation Requirements for the Studies MA Degree --
Language and Literature Concentration

• Successful completion of the fourth year of the student's chosen language;
• 27 credits from regional studies courses at the 5000-level or above to be selected with the approval of the graduate advisor and to satisfy the following distribution requirements:
  • 3 credits from a course on the history of the region;
  • 3 credits from a course on religion in the region;
  • 3 credits from a course on the politics of the region; and
  • 18 credits from advanced language and literature coursework in MESALC (selected with the approval of the graduate advisor);
• MESA 8995, the MA research seminar, which will involve completion of a major research paper (on a topic to be determined in consultation with the graduate advisor).

Students will be able to apply courses toward their Studies degrees from among the graduate-credit courses related to their region that are offered by various departments around the university. For sample lists of relevant courses that might be offered in a given semester, please click on the following links:

• Middle Eastern Studies
• South Asian Studies

• Middle Eastern Studies
• Middle Eastern Studies -- with Language and Literature Concentration
• South Asian Studies

For Listings of Fall 09 courses that might satisfy the eventual requirements for an MA in Middle Eastern or South Asian Languages and Cultures, see the links below:

• Fall 09 Graduate Courses in Middle Eastern Studies