Princeton University - The Graduate School

The Department of Near Eastern Studies offers courses of study leading to the doctoral degree in the fields of medieval and modern literature and history. T he department is for students whose interests are in the history, languages, literatures, and institutions of the Arab, Jewish, Persian, or Turkish Near East prior to the 20th century. It covers the Near East since the rise of Islam, together with Islamic North and West Africa and the Jewish communities of most of this region in Islamic times. For a full account of the fields of specialization of current faculty, please visit the department’s web site at www.princeton.edu/~nes.

Prior to making a formal application to the Graduate School for admission, all prospective applicants should review the information available on the website. Applicants must submit a sample of written work with their application. Short-listed applicants are invited to visit Princeton for interviews and language evaluations at the end of February. Students pursuing a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in the Program in Near Eastern Studies who wish to transfer to the department should apply in their second year.

A student normally takes three required courses each term during the first two years of study. Students who need to take undergraduate courses are permitted to do so but are usually assigned supplementary reading. Students are encouraged to take courses in other departments where these are relevant to their interests.

Before taking the general examination, all students must demonstrate research-level competence in at least one Near Eastern language and knowledge equivalent to a minimum of two years of university study of a second Near Eastern language. In addition, all students must pass an examination in at least one European language of scholarship other than English; knowledge of two such languages is often required. Students are urged to avail themselves of the possibilities for intensive summer language instruction in order to accelerate their language training. Information on approved summer study, and University grants for such study, such as Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships, may be obtained from the Program in Near Eastern Studies.

The general examination is taken within a single examination period, normally at the end of the second or the beginning of the third year of study. It consists of four written parts: three three- or four-hour-long examinations on broad fields of study chosen in consultation with the candidate’s adviser and the director of graduate studies, as well as an examination on research methods and the critical evaluation of sources for, and authorities on, some posed problem. This is followed by an oral examination. The examination committee normally consists of three members of the Princeton faculty. One of the fields may be taken in another department (for example, anthropology, comparative literature, history, or politics).

Students must submit a detailed outline of their research plans to their adviser and the director of graduate studies within four months of taking generals. In the course of their research, many students spend about a year in the Near East, either supported by outside fellowships or using some of the fellowship support they have been awarded by Princeton. Where appropriate, a student may have two advisers, one of whom may be in another department. The dissertation normally should not exceed 100,000 words.

Near Eastern Studies

NES 500    Introduction to the Professional Study of the Near East
      Abraham L. Udovitch, M. Sükrü Hanioglu

A departmental colloquium normally taken by all entering graduate students. It is designed to introduce students to reference and research tools, major trends in the scholarship of the field, and the faculty of the department.

NES 501    Departmental Seminar
      Norman Itzkowitz

A seminar exploring the design and conceptualization of a dissertation topic, and examining methods and strategies for research. It is normally taken by students in the term immediately preceeding the General Examination.

NES 502    An Introduction to the Islamic Scholarly Tradition
      Michael A. Cook

A hands-on introduction to such basic genres of medieval scholarship as biography, history, tradition, and Koranic exegesis, taught through the intensive reading of texts in Arabic. The syllabus varies according to the interests of the students and the instructor.

NES 503    Themes in Islamic History and Culture
      Michael A. Cook

The theme of the course varies from year to year. The format normally includes both the analytical treatment of issues and the reading of texts in Near Eastern languages, especially Arabic.

NES 504    Introduction to Ottoman Turkish
      Staff

An introduction to the writing system and grammar of Ottoman Turkish through close reading of graded selections taken from newspapers, short stories, and travelogues printed in the late Ottoman and early Republican era.

NES 505    Readings in Ottoman Turkish
      M. Sükrü Hanioglu

Reading and discussion of texts focusing on key issues in late Ottoman and early Republican history. The course goals are to develop reading skills in Ottoman Turkish and to examine important texts written between 1750 and 1928.

NES 506    Ottoman Diplomatics: Paleography and Diplomatic Documents
      M. Sükrü Hanioglu

An introduction to Ottoman paleography and diplomatics. The documents will be in divani and rik^ca scripts.

NES 507    Readings in Medievel Hebrew Literature
      Andras P. Hamori

Selections from the Hebrew poetry of Muslim Spain, mainly by Halevi, Ibn Gabirol, and Moshe Ibn Ezra. The Arabic poetic background will be discussed, as well as the relevance of philosophical (e.g. Halevi's Kuzari, Ibn Gabirol's Maqor Hayyim and Sufi writings. Some readings in Arabic for those who can handle them.

NES 508    Readings in Modern Hebrew Literature
      Mark R. Cohen, Andras P. Hamori

Readings of selected texts in medieval Hebrew literature. Topics include narrative works of historical interest, the poetry of the Golden Age in Spain, and Biblical commentaries and their introductions.

NES 509    Readings in Modern Hebrew Literature
      Barbara E. Mann

Themes in modern Hebrew prose and poetry, such as pluralism in Israeli society, Israeli-Arab coexistence, and land and nature. Readings are selected from works of S.Y. Agnon, Leah Goldberg, Rachel, Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, and others.

NES 510    Julian The Apostate in Syriac Sources Graduate Seminar
      Emmanuel Papoutsakis

This graduate seminar will be focussing on fourth- and sixth-century Syriac sources on Julian the Apostate. We shall be looking at historical and literary aspects of these texts and shall be reading them against contemporary Greek anti-Julianic polemics. Knowledge of Syriac is necessary.

NES 511    Syriac
      John H. Marks

A study of grammar, with reading and translation of selected texts from Syriac literature. Offered at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

NES 512    Syriac
      John H. Marks

A study of grammar, with reading and translation of selected texts from Syriac literature. Offered at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

NES 513/WWS 516C    Topics in Law & Public Policy
      Chibli Mallat

The relationships between law and public policy: the uses of litigation to achieve policy goals; the exercises of discretion by law enforcement officials; the value of laws as social control mechanisms; and the consequences of using laws to deal with public policy problems.

NES 521    Readings in Classical Arab Historians and Biographers
      Andras P. Hamori

An examination of extracts from the major genres of medieval Arabic writing relevant to Islamic history. Special attention is given to chronicles and geographical and biographical literature.

NES 522    Readings in Classical Arab Historians and Biographers
      Andras P. Hamori

An examination of extracts from the major genres of medieval Arabic writing relevant to Islamic history. Special attention is given to chronicles and geographical and biographical literature.

NES 523    Readings in Judeo-Arabic
      Mark R. Cohen

An introduction to the reading of Arabic texts written by medieval Jews in the Hebrew script, especially documents from the Cairo Geniza.

NES 529    Readings in Modern Arabic Literature
      Samah Selim

Selected topics in the fiction, poetry, and theater of the Arab world from the late 19th century to the present. The content varies according to the interests of the students and the instructor.

NES 531    Readings in Classical Arabic Literature
      Andras P. Hamori

A reading of selections of poetry and prose. Problems of narrative, poetics, and the like may be discussed according to the interests of the class.

NES 532    Readings in Classical Arabic Literature
      Andras P. Hamori

A reading of selections of poetry and prose. Problems of narrative, poetics, and the like may be discussed according to the interests of the class.

NES 533    Syriac Hagiography
      Emmanuel Papoutsakis

An exploration of literary and historical questions surrounding Syriac hagiographical texts of the late antique period. Course will focus on three texts, which will be studied in their entirety. Knowledge of Syriac required.

NES 539/COM 539    Studies in Persian Literature 900 - 1200 A.D.
      Michael Barry

An examination of the literature of the second great classical language of Islam through consideration of epics, chronicles, lyric poems, mystical writings, and imaginative tales from the traditional Persian-speaking world¿not only present-day Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan, but also Anatolia, Central Asia and the Indian sub-continent¿with special emphasis on Sufism, connections to the visual arts, and royal symbolism.

NES 540/COM 540    Studies in Later Persian Literature 1200 - 1800 A.D.
      Michael Barry

An extension of 539 into the early modern period.

NES 545    Problems in Near Eastern Jewish History
      Mark R. Cohen

A study of a number of central problems, historiographical issues, and primary sources relevant to the history of the Jewish minority under Islam in the Middle Ages.

NES 550/REL 509    Studies in the History of Islam
      Shaun E. Marmon

Themes in Islamic religion are examined.

NES 551/REL 581/POL 539    Middle Eastern Religion-State Relations in Comparative Perspective
      Mirjam Künkler

Course examines different models of religion-state constellations in the Middle East of the 20th century; offers an overview over the main models of constitutional religion-state relations (established religion, cooperation , separation of religion and state, regulations of the majority religion, regulation of the minority religions), explores the implications of these models for the stability of political power and examines the use of religious rhetoric, symbolisms and the reference to religious norms by state and non-state actors.

NES 553    Studies in Islamic Religion and Thought
      Hossein Modarressi

Readings of texts that are illustrative of various issues in Muslim religious thought. The texts are selected according to students' needs.

NES 555    Themes in Islamic Law and Jurisprudence
      Hossein Modarressi

Selected topics in Islamic law and jurisprudence. The topics vary from year to year, but the course normally includes the reading of fatwas and selected Islamic legal texts in Arabic.

NES 557    Problems in Islamic History
      Abraham L. Udovitch

Topics in Islamic history, with reading of relevant source material. The theme varies from year to year.

NES 558    Problems in Islamic History
      Patricia Crone

Topics in Islamic history, with reading of relevant source material. The theme varies from year to year.

NES 559/WWS 556F    Topics in International Relations
      Barbara K. Bodine

Courses that examine particular issues in international relations. Topics vary according to the interests of the students and the instructors. Fall term courses are numbered 555; spring term courses are numbered 556.

NES 561    Studies in Modern Arab History
      Bernard A. Haykel

Selected topics in the history of the Arab East from the 18th century to the present.

NES 562    Studies in Modern Arab History
      Leon C. Brown

Selected topics in the history of the Arab East from the 18th century to the present.

NES 564/HIS 534    Islamic Africa before 1900
      John R. Willis

The impact of Islam upon pre-Islamic institutions and the evolution of Islamic institutions (jihad, alms-giving, prayer, and others) in the African milieu.

NES 565/HIS 535    The Arabic Literature of Islamic Africa
      John R. Willis

The evolution of Islamic scholarship as revealed in the Arabic writings of sub-Saharan African Muslims from the 16th to the 19th century.

NES 568    Studies in Modern Iran
      Negin Nabavi

Select topics in the history of Iran since the late eighteenth century.

NES 571    Problems in Early Ottoman History
      Heath W. Lowry

A study of the origins and development of the Ottoman state. The emphasis is on the characteristic features of its cultural, economic, and social life.

NES 572    Problems in Ottoman History
      Norman Itzkowitz

Topics vary from year to year, but the course concentrates on issues in Ottoman institutional, intellectual, and political history, circa 1600-1800.

NES 573    Problems in Late Ottoman and Modern Republican History
      M. Sükrü Hanioglu

Select topics in the intellectual, diplomatic, and political history of the Ottoman Empire and early Republican Turkey from 1800 to the present.

NES 575    Japan's Image in the Non-Western World
      Renee Worringer

No Description Available

NES 580/ART 580    Great Cities of the Islamic World
      Thomas F. Leisten

A study of major Islamic capitals (including Baghdad, Cordoba, Isfahan, Samarqand, and others). Discussion will focus on problems of their history, town-planning, and their importance as centers of Islamic art and influential workshops.

NES 584/WWS 571B    Topics in Development
      Mirjam Künkler, Christophe O. Jaffrelot

Introduces development policy challenges in Africa. Reviews debate about development policy in the Independence era, reasons for success or failure of structural adjustment policies, challenges of institutional reform, and the relationship between accountability and democratization. Examines war-peace transitions, and health policy and the response to HIV/AIDS.Assumes some background in the study of Africa. Supplementary readings available for social science Ph.D. students.

NES 586/REL 586    Religious Authority in Modern Islam
      Muhammad Q. Zaman

How far reaching is the ¿fragmentation¿ of religious authority in modern Islam? How have traditional religious scholars sought to rearticulate their authority in conditions of radical change? On what basis do ¿new religious intellectuals¿ make their claims to authority? How has the state shaped structures of religious authority? What is peculiar to modern Islam so far as conceptions of and contestations over religious authority are concerned? These are among the questions this seminar seeks to examine.

NES 595/WWS 575E    Regional and Country Studies
      Robert P. Finn

Structural and behavioral characteristics of representative developing economic and political systems. Normally at least one course is offered each year. These courses do not duplicate basic coverage of the history or politics of a country or region provided in the University's undergraduate curriculum. Fall term courses are numbered 575; spring term courses are numbered 576.

NES 598    Main Trends in the Intellectual History of the Arab World in the Twentieth Century
      Mohamad Sadek J. Mouayed Azem

Intends to explore the rise, evolution, impact and dissipation of some of the main currents, trends and schools of thought that have arisen in the Arab World throughout the 20th century (with special emphasis on its second half). Stress will be laid on the political, social and cultural circumstances surrounding the development, structure, arguments and theses of such trends as: Islamism in its multifarious forms, populism in its frustrated ambitions, Marxism in its many manifestations, Third Worldism and its local implications and applications, the neo- turathism of such leading thinkers as Jabiri, Tizini, Adonis, Hanafi, Muruwwa and Arkoun.