the phd in arabic

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PhD in Arabic Language and Literature

College of Arts & Sciences
Graduate Division
College of Liberal and Professional Studies

Graduate Program in Middle Eastern Literatures and Societies

MELC’s graduate program in Middle Eastern Literatures and Societies offers advanced study of the languages and literatures of Islamic civilizations, and also Islamic history and thought in their Middle Eastern context, in modern and pre-modern settings. In general, the student is to follow the MA general procedures or the PhD general procedures of the Department, but the following statements outline the regulations specific to the PhD program in MELS. Students in the Middle Eastern Literatures and Societies program are expected to command Arabic or Persian as a primary research language and another (usually Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Hebrew) as a secondary research language, as well as the general history and culture of the region. The specific distribution of courses varies by a student’s interests and specialization. Students are expected to work out the broad outlines of their programs in consultation with their faculty advisor when they begin their studies. Expectations for individual students will be conveyed in writing to the Graduate Group Chair, with updates provided as necessary.

The Masters Degree (12 c.u.)

Languages: Students will take 4 c.u. in Arabic or Persian language, which must be beyond the Advanced Intermediate level. Two course units in the secondary research language are also required. Also required is reading knowledge of one European language (usually French or German). In addition, students are required to take four courses in Islamics (history & religion) and two courses in Arabic or Persian literature. At the conclusion of coursework (and once the European language reading exam has been passed), the student will prepare for AM Final Examinations. Upon successful completion of these exams, students can prepare the MA thesis. Students may also submit two lengthy term papers for consideration by the faculty instead of an MA thesis.

The PhD program (20 c.u.)

The PhD program consists of a further eight course units beyond those required for the MA program described above. (For students entering with an MA or equivalent degree from another institution, up to eight course units MAY be transferred into this program at the discretion of the faculty and the Graduate Chair of the Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures Program.

The required eight course units break down as follows:

• Three in Arabic or Persian literature and Islamics (history or thought) at the advanced seminar level (6000+) • Two course units at the second-year/Intermediate level in the minor • Three elective courses to be chosen in conjunction with the major advisor At the conclusion of course work, the student must pass a second reading exam in a European language, to be followed by Candidacy Examinations.

Students wishing to take a secondary field in MELS must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of modern standard Arabic or modern Persian equivalent to proficiency in Advanced Intermediate Arabic. This may be shown either through course work at this university or through reaching the required level (80% aggregate) on the appropriate proficiency test. During Candidacy Exams, students taking a secondary field will be examined in two subjects:

Arabic or Persian language and literature (history and criticism, based on sources in European languages)

Islamics (the history of the middle east in the islamic era, and the institutions of islam), qualifying exams.

Qualifying Exams in Middle Eastern Literatures and Societies are normally comprised of two parts. One exam will be of three hours length and be designed to show the student’s competence in Arabic or Persian language and set by the student’s faculty advisor. The second exam will be based on a set reading list of approximately forty books.

Candidacy Exams

In MELS, Candidacy Exams are normally comprised of (1) the submission of a syllabus for a proposed course (the topic of which will have been set by the student’s supervisor), (2) a take-home exam set by the student’s supervisor and any other examiners on topics determined in advance by the student, the student's supervisor, and any other examiners, lasting no more than one week.

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Global Engagement

Global database, ph.d. in arabic and islamic studies.

The Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies sponsors this doctoral program for Georgetown students. Students study Islamic religious thought, text, culture, and traditions; Arabic language, linguistics, and dialectology; and classical and contemporary Arabic literature.

Learn More About Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies

Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Languages and Literature

Middle East and North Africa

Continuous Education Center

Program Information

Programme Outcomes

Study plan:.

Head of Department: DR. MOHAMMED SHEIKH

Program Information:

The thesis of the “Doctorate of Philosophy in Arabic Language and Literature” is concerned with the formation of the scientific personality possessing the Arabic language, the sciences of literature and the tools of civilized communication, and the preparation of specialists; to meet the needs of the UAE society in particular and humanity in general.

This program also aims to provide students with the most important skills of the 21th century; Critical thinking, Creativity and Cooperation, then Communication. In addition to expanding and deepening his scientific and cognitive awareness in the field of specialization, enabling him to use scientific research methods, causes and goals; to build knowledge derived from original sources, and open to contemporary references belonging to different languages and civilizations, that meets the needs of the society of the UAE, the GCC states, and Arab and Islamic countries, by providing distinguished competencies, available on the necessary competencies, for the university and educational fields, the sector of the relevant ministries, and various social institutions.

Program Name: Doctorate of Philosophy in Arabic Language and Literature
Program Code: 320
Program Initial Approval Date: 25 July 2021
Program Providing Entity: College of Arts and Humanities
Program Duration : (8) Eight Semesters
Program Hours : (36) Credit Hours
Total Number of Modules : (9) Modules

Doctorate of Philosophy Admission Requirements:

To be succeeded in the master’s degree or its equivalent with “very good” or above.
The master’s degree must be issued by a recognized university.
His master degree be in a subject that qualifies him for the specialized study, to which he is applying.
To pass a written exam and a personal interview before the Scientific Committee
The Admission Committee may stipulate a number of pre-remedial courses for the admission of the student (who studied a master’s degree outside the university) to the Doctorate stage, and it may also exempt him from any remedial courses.

The student shall meet the following requirements to be admitted at the end of the first semester:

A minimum average of (3) in the semester average.
A minimum score of (1400) points in the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT) in Arabic language, and a minimum score of (1250) in English or its equivalent in other standardized tests (IETLS, TOEFL …).
A minimum score of (700) points in the Emirates Standardized Test (EmSAT) in mathematics.

Fulfill the graduation requirements

The Doctorate program is completed when all the courses of the program, including the thesis, are completed.
The student must obtain a cumulative GPA of no less than (3.00).
The student must spend the time required to obtain the degree and not exceed the maximum.

Course Completion

The course is completed with a mark not less than (2.00).
Doctorate of Philosophy Certificate is awarded at the university with one of the following grades:

Study System

The study system of the program is the credit hours system, and teaching will be during the academic week days only, i.e., from Monday to Friday.
The program is presented in the blended study system in accordance with the academic accreditation standards of the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates.

Minimum and maximum academic load for the student

The student’s academic load in one semester ranges between (9) credit hours as a minimum, and (12) credit hours as a maximum.

Program Objectives

This program aims to:

Achieve a distinguished level in scientific knowledge in general and in Arabic sciences and literature in particular.
Provide the student with the ability to collect, organize, coordinate and process information scientifically.
Prepare researchers capable of putting artistic and literary resources at the service of sustainable development.
Enable the student to understand the rules, principles and skills of scientific research, and qualify him to prepare original and distinguished research in the sciences of Arabic language and literature.
Meet the needs of the local and Arab community with distinguished scientific competencies in the field of specialization.
Qualify a group of graduates to take on the burden of renewing the tools of civilizational communication among nations today, and to explore its horizons.
Direct research in Arabic language and literature to take care of what contributes to the advancement of development; And building bridges of communication between nations through languages and literature.
Open student’s horizons to intermediate knowledge; which enables him to create bridges of communication with all nations through language and literature.

9 Consolidate student’s self-learning values, and develop his creativity and innovation spirit.

Discuss in depth linguistic, literary and critical issues.
Employs the literary text for objective analysis and criticism according to scientific and methodological criteria.
Select the appropriate tools for analyzing creative texts in light of modern literary and linguistic curricula and theories.
Analyze issues of language, literature, and criticism.
Renew the tools of civilized communication.
Demonstrate a scientific personality capable of teaching, framing and developing universities and local and international research centers.
Initiate with the presentation of linguistic and literary knowledge that indicates his pride in his identity and his interaction with other civilizations and cultures.
Produce research projects in the field of Arabic language sciences and literature with innovative methodological procedures.
Manage tasks and positively adapts to the job environment.
Evaluate his scientific performance to develop his scientific ambitions and practices in the field of Arabic language and literature.
Master self-learning skills to use them in effecting societal change in accordance with the professional ethical system.

Alignment between the program learning outcomes and the National Qualification System (NQS)

The program outcomes have been aligned with the National Qualification System (NQS) of the United Arab Emirates

Employment Opportunities

A graduate of the Doctorate of Philosophy in Arabic language, literature major is qualified to work in various fields within the following institutions :