Turkish Studies

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This programme enables students to engage critically with different aspects of Turkish culture and society. The degree offers comprehensive training in the field of Turkish studies. Drawing on SOAS's wide resources in the field, the programme allows students to combine courses to build a syllabus of study according to their interests. It serves as excellent preparation for research.

Students take three taught courses, one designated as major and two as minor.

-If the chosen Major course is not a Turkish Studies course (see List A1), students may not take a Minor course in the same subject as their Major course.

-At least one Minor course must be taken from List A1, A2 or A3.

-No more than one Minor course may be taken from List C. You may not take a course from List C if you are taking a course from List A3.

List A1 (Major) If the chosen Major course is not from this list, students may not take a Minor course in the same subject as their Major course.

* Social and Political Trends in 19th Century Turkish Literature - 15PNMC373 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Selected Topics in 20th Century Turkish Literature - 15PNMC374 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Classical Ottoman Literature (Masters) - 15PNMC385 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
* Turkey:Continuity and Change - 15PNMC377 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* The End of Empire in the Middle East & the Balkans - 15PHIC004 (1 Unit) - Full Year

List A2 (Minor) * New Cinemas of Turkey - 15PNMH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Ottoman Architecture in Istanbul: 15th-19th Century - 15PARH045 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Ottoman Art - 15PARC011 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013

List A3 (Minor) * Elementary Written Turkish - 15PNMC386 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Intensive Turkish Language (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC395 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Intermediate Modern Turkish Language (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC383 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Advanced Translation (Turkish) - 15PNMC044 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Ottoman Turkish Language (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC397 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013

List B (Minor) Department of the Languages and Cultures of Near and Middle East * Theory And Techniques Of Comparative Literature - 15PCLC279 (1 unit Unit)
* Issues in the Anthropology of Film - 15PANH022 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Department of Anthropology and Sociology * Culture and Society of the Near & Middle East - 15PANC097 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* African and Asian Cultures in Britain - 15PANH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Comparative Study of Islam: Anthropological Perspectives A (Masters) - 15PANH047 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2012/2013
* Comparative Study of Islam: Anthropological Perspectives B (Masters) - 15PANH048 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2012/2013 - Must be taken with the first term course - 15PANH047 Comparative Study of Islam: Anthropological Perspectives A (Masters)
* Issues in the Anthropology of Gender - 15PANH024 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not to be combined with 15PDSH010 Gender & Development.

Department of History * Outsiders in Medieval Middle Eastern Societies: Minorities, Social Outcasts and Foreigners - 15PHIH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* The Middle East, the Mongols and the Silk Road to China - 15PHIC067 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Department of Music * Music of the Near and Middle East and North Africa - 15PMUC033 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Department of Politics and International Studies * Comparative politics of the Middle East - 15PPOC026 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Political society in the Middle East - 15PPOH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Political violence - 15PPOH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Politics of resistance in the Middle East - 15PPOH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* State and transformation in the Middle East - 15PPOH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Islam and political ideologies - 15PPOH007 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
* Violence, justice and the politics of memory - 15PPOH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Islam and politics - 15PPOH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Centre for Gender Studies * Gender in the Middle East - 15PGNH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Centre for Media and Film Studies * Iranian Cinema - 15PMSH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
* Critical Approaches to the Study of Regional Cinemas - 15PMSH008 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

School of Law * Law and society in the Middle East and North Africa - 15PLAC130 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Department of the Study of Religions * Eastern and Orthodox Christianity - 15PSRC055 (1 Unit) - Full Year

List C (Minor) Students may only take one course from this list. Students may not take a course from this list if they are taking a course from List A3.

* Introduction to Standard Modern Arabic - 15PNMC032 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Arabic 200 (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC389 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Arabic 300 (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC390 (1 unit - 45 cats Unit)
* Elementary Georgian (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC381 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
* Intermediate Georgian (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC380 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013
* Elementary Hebrew (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC392 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Intermediate Hebrew (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC393 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Advanced Hebrew (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC394 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Elementary Written Persian - 15PNMC387 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Elementary Persian Texts (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC384 (1 Unit) - Full Year
* Elementary Western Armenian (Postgraduate) - 15PNMC400 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2012/2013

Program requirements for the BA Turkish Studies at SOAS University of London typically include a combination of core modules, optional modules, language proficiency components, and assessment methods. In the first year, students are expected to undertake foundational courses that introduce them to Turkish history, culture, and society, alongside introductory language modules in Modern Turkish. These courses aim to build a solid base in both theoretical understanding and practical language skills. As students progress into the second and third years, they have the opportunity to choose from a range of electives focusing on topics such as Ottoman history, Turkish literature, contemporary Turkish politics, and media studies. Advanced language modules in Modern Turkish and classical Ottoman Turkish are also available, often requiring a certain proficiency level or prior language study. Program assessments typically include written essays, oral examinations, presentations, and examinations, emphasizing both language competence and subject knowledge. Students must also complete a dissertation project in their final year, which involves independent research on a topic related to Turkish Studies. To successfully graduate, students are generally required to pass all core and elective modules, meet the attendance and participation criteria, and submit the dissertation by the designated deadline. Specific prerequisites for enrolling in advanced modules may include having completed preceding courses in Turkish language or literature. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in internships, study abroad programs, or language immersion experiences to enhance their practical understanding of Turkish culture and societal dynamics. The program's comprehensive structure ensures students develop critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and proficiency in Turkish, preparing them for careers in academia, diplomacy, international business, or cultural institutions.

Scholarships and Bursaries

There are some scholarships and bursaries available for postgraduate students. These are very competitive and early application is advised.

· The Ahmad Mustafa Abu-Hakima Bursary (programme must include studying the history of the modern Arab world)

· AKS Postgraduate Bursary (in Korean Studies)

· Bernard Buckman Scholarship (MA Chinese Studies, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· The Canon Collins Scholarships at SOAS. There are two scholarships available available in 2013-14 for study at SOAS. These scholarships are for Masters study in any subject field. Open a national of and resident in one of the following countries:
Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The application process normally opens in December and closes in February, for study commencing in September the following year. Please go to the Canon Collins website and click "Apply for A Scholarship" and then "Canon Collins Scholarship for Masters Study in the UK" for further information on how to apply.

· Commonwealth Shared Scholarship (for students from African Commonwealth countries)

· D.G.Hall Scholarship (Taught Masters programmes at SOAS, for applicants holding a Burma/Myanmar passport)

· Felix Scholarships (for Indian students)

· Ferguson Scholarships (for African nationals from an African Country)

· HSBC SOAS Scholarships (MA Sinology & MA Chinese Literature, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· Kamran Djam Scholarships (MA Iranian Studies)

· Professor Stuart Wilson Scholarship (MA South East Asian Studies)

· Standard Chartered Scholarships (for a range of full-time Taught Masters programmes. The programmes relate to Asia, Africa, and the Middle East/NorthAfrica)

· Tibawi Trust Awards (for Palestinian students currently enrolled in a programme at SOAS)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities - (for any full-time taught masters programme in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Language & Cultures (for the full-time MA Gender Studies, MA Postcolonial Studies, MA Linguistics, MA Applied Linguistics & Language Pedagogy, MA Language, Documentation and Description, MA Translation Theory and Practice (Asian and African Languages)

· SOAS Master's Scholarships- Faculty of Law and Social Sciences (for any full-time master's programmes in the Department of Development Studies, Economics, Law, Politics & International Studies and Financial & Management Studies)

· Tallow Chandlers and M. W Beer scholarship (MA) (MA Anthropology of Food, for UK/EU fee paying students)

· William Ross Murray Scholarship (LLM, for students from a developing country)

The Turkish Studies program at SOAS University of London offers students a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the history, culture, politics, and language of Turkey. This program is designed for students who wish to explore the complexities of Turkish society and its place within a broader regional and global context. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including Ottoman history, modern Turkish political developments, contemporary social issues, and linguistic studies of the Turkish language. Students have the opportunity to engage with classical and modern texts, analyze current affairs, and develop critical skills necessary for careers in academia, diplomacy, journalism, or development work related to Turkey and the wider Turkic world.

The program provides rigorous language training, enabling students to attain proficiency in Turkish, which is essential for primary research and cultural understanding. The faculty members are experts in their fields, offering a combination of historical, linguistic, and cultural perspectives. Students benefit from SOAS’s unique location in London, which provides access to a diverse community and numerous resources for Middle Eastern and Turkic studies. The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging students to integrate insights from history, political science, sociology, and linguistics.

Students can choose to undertake a BA program, often offering options for specialization or combined degrees. The program is suitable for those interested in research, policy analysis, or diplomatic careers, as well as for those seeking academic careers. Additionally, study opportunities abroad or internships in organizations related to Turkey may be available, providing practical experience. Overall, the Turkish Studies program at SOAS aims to produce well-rounded, linguistically capable graduates with a deep understanding of Turkish societal dynamics, history, and culture, preparing them for diverse professional pathways or further academic pursuits.