Arabic and Politics, MA (Hons)

Course summary

Arabic is the main language of more than 350 million people inhabiting a huge swathe of land extending from the Atlantic to the Persian Gulf. It is the sixth most widely spoken language in the world and is one of the six official languages of the United Nations.The Arab world is Europe's immediate neighbour and plays a central role in global politics. This makes Arabic and Politics an excellent joint honours combination.ArabicOur programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in both classical and modern Arabic. You will develop skills in writing, reading, listening to and speaking the language. You do not currently need to know any Arabic, as Year 1 courses are designed for beginners. By Year 3, you will have the skills to spend the year studying in a country in which Arabic is spoken.The Arabic language opens the door to a fascinating and varied region, providing access to the history, societies, politics and cultures of the Middle East. In our courses, you will study aspects of the Arabic-speaking world, past and present.Your year abroad will provide complete immersion in Arabic language and culture. PoliticsPolitics studies the theory and practice of how societies are governed:

• How do our political institutions create collective rules?

• Who has the power to make collective rules?

• What are the consequences of political decisions?

• What is the nature of a just society, and how do we get there?

Drawing on the expertise of leading academics and researchers in the field, you will explore the origins and present-day contexts of societal conflicts about power, participation, and resources. You will not only study the processes of governance at the local, national, and international levels, but also the morality of political action, and the limits of freedom and justice.Why Edinburgh?The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the research-led study of Arabic, politics, and the Middle East.In Year 2, in addition to Arabic and Politics, you will choose an option course from a wide range of disciplines. You will specialise as you progress through the programme and spend a year studying abroad.When you graduate, you will have the combination of intercultural competence and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.Our community is truly international. There is always plenty going on, and you will always find someone to talk to about your academic studies, leisure interests or life in Edinburgh.

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