Arabic and Social Anthropology, MA (Hons)

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. Given the importance of the Arab world as the immediate neighbour of Europe on the southern and eastern sides of the Mediterranean, Arabic and Social Anthropology make an excellent 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.The Arabic language opens the door to a fascinating and varied region, providing access to the history, societies and cultures of the Middle East. You will study aspects of the Arabic-speaking world, past and present. A year abroad provides complete immersion in Arabic language and culture.Social AnthropologySocial anthropology is the comparative study of human behaviour and ideas in their social, cultural, religious, and political contexts. At its heart is the common humanity that underlies the world's many different societies.There are close links between social anthropology and sociology, human geography, development studies, history, archaeology, and philosophy.Why Edinburgh?The University of Edinburgh is recognised in the UK and internationally as a leading institution for the research-led study of Arabic, together with Persian, Islam, and the Middle East. Our programme is flexible. In Year 2, for example, 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.You will have the opportunity to learn from researchers who are international leaders in their field. You will also engage in original anthropological research, which may be library-based or involve fieldwork.When you graduate, you will have the combination of intercultural competence and specialist knowledge valued by employers worldwide.