About the Program

About the program

The BA in Orientalism is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the study of the history, culture, arts, and religions of the Middle East. The program combines modern academic curricula with traditional studies, with an emphasis on:

  • Orientalism and its impact on the image of the Middle East in the West.
  • Ancient languages (such as Aramaic, Hebrew, and ancient Persian).
  • The Abrahamic religions (Islam, Christianity, Judaism) and their historical interactions.
  • Arts and Antiquities (Islamic Architecture, Visual Arts).
  • Middle Eastern music and its historical development.
  • Photography and drawing in oriental arts.
  • Manuscripts and documentation (study and investigation of rare manuscripts).

The program is taught through interactive lectures, workshops, and field trips to museums and archaeological sites, utilizing modern research and analysis techniques.

Vision

To be a leading center for the study of the Orientalism and its cultural and religious influences.

Mission

Preparing researchers specializing in Orientalism studies, capable of understanding cultural and religious interactions in the region.

Objectives

  • Deepen your understanding of Middle Eastern history and culture.
  • Developing skills in critical analysis of arts and antiquities.
  • Study of ancient religions and languages and their impact on the region.

Program outputs:

fieldEducational outcomes
knowledge– A deep understanding of Middle Eastern history and culture.
– Basic command of ancient languages.
Skills– Analysis of arts and antiquities.
– Documentation of manuscripts and heritage.
values– Objectivity in the study of religions.
– Respect for cultural pluralism.

Graduate specifications:

  • Capabilities:

    • Read ancient texts fluently.

    • Analysis of artistic and musical works.

  • Soft skills:

    • Academic research, teamwork.

Study Guide

Study Duration

The duration of study to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business and administration for all disciplines is four academic years for those accepted on the basis of the secondary certificate, and two years for those accepted into the promotion program according to the institute. and competence.
The duration of the default study is four years, but it is possible to take full-time and intensive studies so that the student can graduate in three years.
The academic year is divided into three semesters, and the University Council determines the start and end dates of the study and the dates of exams according to the university calendar.

Conditions for success and graduation

1 . Each course is given a mark out of 100.
2 . The student is considered to have passed the course if he obtains a final result greater or equal to 55% of the course’s top grade.
3 . In the event that a student succeeds in a course and obtains a full mark, the university has the right to check the student’s level through an oral interview or a written exam, and confirm his success in the course or declare his failure in it, if it is not at the required level.
4 . If the student fails the course, he must repeat it with his exams, and repay the full costs.
Graduation average:
The averages of the courses in which the student passed for the five years are summed and divided by the total number of courses, and the overall average is extracted.

Program Structure

Program Structure
50 courses - 150 credits
University Requirements
Faculty Requirements
Specialization Requirements

Curriculum

First semester (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 101Introduction to Middle Eastern Studies– Vocabulary : Basic concepts, geography of the region.
– Outputs : A report on a Middle Eastern country.		35compulsory
WE 102Orientalism: History and Criticism– Vocabulary : The emergence of Orientalism, the most prominent Orientalists.
– Outcomes : A critique of an Orientalist book.		35compulsory
WE 103Classical Arabic– Vocabulary : grammar, ancient texts.
– Output : translation of a historical text.		35compulsory
WE 104Abrahamic religions (1)– Vocabulary : Judaism, Christianity.
– Outputs : Doctrinal comparison.		35compulsory
WE 105Middle Eastern Arts (1)– Vocabulary : Islamic architecture.
– Outputs : Analysis of a historical mosque.		35compulsory
WE 106Scientific research skills– Vocabulary : Research methods.
– Outputs : Research plan.		35compulsory

Second semester (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 201Future Leadership Tools– Vocabulary : Cultural Project Management.
– Outputs : Project Plan.		23compulsory
WE 202Ancient Languages (1): Aramaic– Vocabulary : grammar, texts.
– Output : translation of an Aramaic text.		35compulsory
WE 203Abrahamic religions (2)– Vocabulary : Islam, Sufism.
– Outputs : A comparative study.		35compulsory
WE 204Middle Eastern music– Vocabulary : modes, instruments.
– Outputs : analysis of a musical piece.		35compulsory
WE 205Photography in Islamic art– Vocabulary : miniatures, decoration.
– Outputs : Islamic decorative drawing.		35compulsory
WE 206Manuscript Documentation Workshop– Vocabulary : Preserving manuscripts.
– Outputs : Documenting a photographed manuscript.		23

 

Third semester (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 301Ancient Languages (2): Hebrew– Studying basic grammar – Reading biblical texts – Outputs : Translating a passage from the Torah35compulsory
WE 302Contemporary Orientalism– Analysis of modern Orientalist discourse – Outputs : Critique of an Orientalist article35compulsory
WE 303Middle Eastern antiquities– Main archaeological sites – Excavation techniques – Outputs : Report on an archaeological site35compulsory
WE 304Abrahamic religions (3)– Christian sects – Islamic sects – Outputs : A comparison between sects35compulsory
WE 305Archaeological photography– Documentary photography techniques – Outputs : Photo file of antiquities35compulsory
WE 306Manuscripts Workshop (1)– Basics of reading manuscripts – Outputs : Copying a manuscript page35compulsory

Fourth semester (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 401Ancient Languages (3): Persian– Basic rules – Historical texts – Outputs : Translation of a Persian document35compulsory
WE 402Middle Eastern Arts (2)– Coptic art – Byzantine art – Outputs : Analysis of a painting35compulsory
WE 403Sufi music– Musical Styles – Instruments – Outputs : Analysis of a Piece35compulsory
WE 404Social history– Daily life – Customs and traditions – Outputs : Case study35compulsory
WE 405Islamic photography– Miniatures – Art schools – Outputs : Miniature drawing35compulsory
WE 406Manuscripts Workshop (2)– Preservation techniques – Outputs : Preservation report35compulsory

Fifth semester (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 501Advanced Studies in Orientalism– Modern Schools – Outputs : Research Paper35compulsory
WE 502Abrahamic religions (4)– Historical interactions – Outputs : A comparative study35compulsory
Optional (1)Choose two subjects from :
WE 503Islamic monuments– Islamic Architecture – Outputs : Architectural Model35Optional
WE 504folk music– Musical folklore – Outputs : Recording a piece35Optional
WE 505Arabic calligraphy– Linear schools – Outputs : Linear board35Optional

Semester 6 (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 601Ancient languages (4)– Ancient religious texts – Outputs : Text translation35compulsory
WE 602Documenting heritage– Scientific methodology – Outputs : Documentation project35compulsory
Optional (2)Choose 3 subjects from :
WE 603Performing Arts– Oriental Theatre – Outputs : A short theatrical performance35Optional
WE 604Film Studies– Middle Eastern Cinema – Female Directors : Film Review35Optional
WE 605religious architecture– Design of places of worship – Outputs : Architectural plan35Optional
WE 606Musical manuscripts– Study of ancient notes – Outputs : Manuscript analysis35Optional

Chapter Seven (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 701Graduation Project (1)– Determine the topic – Outputs : Research plan610compulsory
Optional (3)Choose 4 subjects from :
WE 702Restoration of antiquities– Modern techniques – Outputs : Restoration report35Optional
WE 703Comparative studies– Comparing Civilizations – Outputs : A Comparative Study35Optional
WE 704Fine arts– Art Schools – Outputs : Exhibition of works35Optional
WE 705anthropologist– Middle Eastern Cultures – Outputs : Field Research35Optional

Chapter Eight (18 credit hours – 30 ECTS)

Course codeCourse nameCourse DescriptionwatchesECTSType
WE 801Graduation Project (2)– Applied research – Outputs : Published research812compulsory
WE 802Field training– Museums/Research Centers – Outputs : Training Report610compulsory
WE 803Graduation seminar– Research presentation – Outputs : Participation in the symposium24compulsory
WE 804Documenting experiences– Building a professional portfolio – Outputs : Achievements file24compulsory

Welcome to the Faculty of Orientalism at ISU