Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East
Key facts
- Degree
- Master of Arts
- Duration
- 4 Semesters
- Credits/ECTS
- 120
- Teaching language
- German
- Tuition fee
- None
- Semester contribution
- € 315,05
- Start of studies
- Winter semester, Summer semester
- Part-time possible
- Yes
- Institutions
- Faculty of Arts
- Institute of Near Eastern Studies, Indo-European Studies and the Archaeology of Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages
Programme summary
The M.A. Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East programme provides scientific knowledge and practical research skills in the field of Ancient Near East studies. As a philological and interdisciplinary area studies programme, it deals with the languages and cultures of the Near East in their historical context, with a focus on the earlier periods (3rd until 1st millenium B.C.). However, the contemporary era is also considered. The temporal, geographical and academic research framework of Ancient Near East studies is mainly defined by the use of cuneiform in the Ancient Near East. The programme is a research programme with an epigraphic focus.
| M.A. Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East Programme Structure | ||
|---|---|---|
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Individual interdisciplinary supplementary courses |
||
| Sumerian A. Historical Sources B. Literary Sources |
Research Seminars |
Cuneiform Epigraphy |
| Final Thesis Master's Thesis Ancient Near East Studies Research Colloquim |
||
The research modules (2 + 10 credits) introduce students to the central issues of cuneiform philology and provide methodological and practical skills and specialised knowledge in the fields of languages and texts as well as history and culture.
In the methodological modules in cuneiform epigraphy (2 x 10 credits), you will benefit from the didactic potential of the cuneiform collection (Frau Professor Hilprecht Collection of Babylonian Antiquities, or: Hilprecht Collection) that is associated with the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.?By dealing with the cuneiform originals, you will not only gain knowledge about the ancient pieces of writing and objects as well as epigraphic skills but also experience in working with collections and in museums.?Furthermore, practical training will help you learn the methods, tools and documentation (drawing, photography, 3D scan) and become familiar with the issues of digital philology.
The third focus of the programme is Sumerian studies. The Sumerian intermediate modules (2 x 10 credits) allow you to consolidate the basic language skills that you have acquired during your bachelor's degree studies. You will also learn more about Sumerian literary genres by deadling with the historical and literary tradition of Sumerian.
Supplementary courses of 25 credits allow you to customise your studies. You can choose modules from the following related discplines: Egyptology, Ancient Near East Studies, Classical Studies, Arabic Studies, Indo-European Studies, Caucasian Studies, Oriental Archaeology and Art History and Theology.
The final piece of your master's studies is your own research project that you will conduct under the supervision of our teachers. You will present your research in a colloquium (5 credits) and publish it in the form of a master's thesis (30 credits).
| M.A. Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East Recommended Study Plan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester | Sumerian Intermediate Modules |
Research Modules |
Cuneiform Epigraphy Methodological Modules |
Supplementary Courses |
| Winter Semester (1) | AO 910 A: Historical Sources (10 credits) |
AO 9210 A: Languages and Texts of the Ancient Near East (10 credits) |
? | Modules in:
(25 credits) |
| Summer Semester (2) | AO 920 B: Literary Sources (10 credits) |
? | AO 950 A: Reading and Interpreting Originals from the Hilprecht Collection (10 credits) |
|
| Winter Semester (3) | ? | AO 930 B: History and Cultures of the Ancient Near East (10 credits) |
AO 960 B: Editing and Documenting Originals from the Hilprecht Collection (10 credits) |
|
| Semester | Final Thesis |
|||
| Summer Semester (4) |
AO 1000 AO 970 |
|||
Why Jena?
The M.A. Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East ist a research programme and offers with the Hilprecht Collection ¨C the largest collection of cuneiform at a German university ¨C a unique opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about how to deal with cuneiform artefacts in a scientific manner. The practical part of the programme about working with collections and in museums help students lay the foundations for their future scientific and professional career. The programme also offers courses in Sumerian and Akkadian Studies, with a local research focus on the history of Akkadian writing, language and law in the 1st millenium B.C. The interdisciplinary supplementary courses allow you to choose your own area of specialisation, especially in Semitic Studies where you will benefit from the extensive choice of languages to learn (rabic, Aramaic, Hebrew, Classical Ethiopic, Old South Arabian).
After Graduation
The programme and its unique content lay the foundation for subsequent PhD research and a scientific career. The philological, cultural studies and interdisciplinary skills you will acquire during your master's studies will qualify you to work in the following professional fields:
- adult Education
- education management
- journalism
- tourism (educational trips)
- libraries and archives
- publishing
- public relations
Admission requirements
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Undergraduate degree or equivalent
For this master's programme you need a subject-specific undergraduate degree (minimum 6 semesters/180 ECTS-Credits) or an equivalent degree that comprises modules passed in Ancient Near East Studies or Languages and Cultures of the Ancient Near East of at least 60 credits (ECTS).
?The overall grade (CGPA) of the bachelor's degree must be GOOD or better (German and US systems).
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language requirements
This master's programme requires the following language proficiency: ?
- English on level A2
- international applicants: German language proficiency at minimum level DSH-2 (or a recognised equivalent)
?
Application documents
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CV
Your CV should have a tabular form, containing key information on your school record and academic career.
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Motivation letter
A motivation letter should not exceed the size of two DIN A4-pages and normally, it should contain information on your motivation for taking up this course of studies. You should? elaborate on the following essential questions:
- Why do you desire taking up this specific course of studies?
- What are - in your opinion - the main features that this course of studies excels in?
- Which features of this course have inspired your application??
- Why Jena?
?
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University entrance qualification certificate
Please upload at the online application system your university entrance certificate/school leaving certificate. Usually, this means the school graduation diploma (German "Abitur"), i.e. the diploma that makes you eligible for studies at an University or other institution for higher education. Be mindful of the fact that here, we do not need any University diploma but a High School diploma!?
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Previous university degrees earned
All previous University degrees (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc.) if available before the application deadline - if not, please make a note of the anticipated date of issue of your degree certificate. Please upload your University degree or the most actual, detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of all semesters available to you, should you not hold your degree certificate at the time of application. The main document is the degree/ transcript based on which you apply for the master programme.
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Detailed transcript of records
Detailed transcript of records/ mark sheet of your first, subject-specific University degree, with which you apply for the master's programme. This transcript MUST contain an overall cumulative grade point average or average mark.
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Proof of relevant work experience
Should you have obtained subject-specific work experience, you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.?
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Proof of subject-specific practical experience
Should you have obtained subject-specific practical experience (e.g. by internships etc.), you can upload corresponding certificates in order to support your application.?
Additional application documents for international students
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Proof of German language proficiency
For German taught master's programmes, i.e. programmes with (predominantly) German as language of instruction, a sufficient German language proficiency proof is mandatory.
The Friedrich Schiller University Jena accepts the following certificates as German language proficiency proof exclusively:- the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS),
- the Deutsche Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD II),
- the TestDaF, minimum TDN 4 in all four parts of the examination,
- Deutsche Sprachpr¨¹fung f¨¹r den Hochschulzugang (DSH), min. level 2 (= DSH-2),
- Certificate telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (min. level "befriedigend"),
- a German language examination in the framework of an assessment test at a preparatory college.
Please note:?We strongly recommend that you provide the required German language proof at the time of applying.You have not yet taken the DSH exam, the TestDaF or another equivalent exam (see above) or have not yet received the test result? Then please do the following:
- Upload a certificate attesting your German language skills at min. level B2 (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) AND
- upload a confirmation that you have registered for a language exam (e.g. DSH examination, TestDaF or an equivalent examination) to your online application. Please make sure to register for the test well in advance. In case you receive an admission offer, you must provide the language certificate by the time of enrolment (by the end of March resp. the end of September)!
The following applicants are exempted from providing proof of their German language skills:
- Applicants, who have obtained a German taught bachelor's degree within one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. This applies only to degrees that were awarded by a university in the relevant country (no satellite campuses or international branch campuses in other countries, no correspondence course degrees, no joint- or double-degrees with institutions in other countries);
- Holders of a German, Austrian or Swiss (from school where the language of instruction is German) university entrance qualification.
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Translation of foreign/external application documents
Every mandatory application document from foreign/external countries must also be available in either English OR German translation. Such a translation has to be conducted by officially acknowledged/ sworn translators or translation offices.
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Proof of grading system
External/foreign degree certificates/ transcripts of records must contain information on the grading system (= description of the maximum grade possible and the minimum passing grade) used at the respective University.?
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Certificate APS
Applicants with degrees from India, Vietnam or China must submit the original APS-certificate issued by the German Embassy.
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University entrance exam
Applicants from the following countries must submit a certificate of their university entrance examination/college entrance examination:
- Iran (College entrance examination certificate or certificate of pre-university course/year)
- Republic of Korea/South Korea: SAT (Scholastic Ability Test)
- People's Republic of China: College entrance examination certificate ("Gaokao")
Contacts
Subject Advisor - Prof. Dr. Johannes Hackl
Room D 307
Zw?tzengasse 4
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Opening hours:
by arrangement
Subject Advisor - Adrian Heinrich
Zw?tzengasse 4
07743 Jena
Master Service Centre
F¨¹rstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Office hours:
Telephone consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
10 am - 11 am
Personal consultation:
Tuesday - Thursday
2 pm - 3 pm
Live chat:
mondays and fridays
10 am - 12 noon
Ticket enquiries via Service Desk at:
www.uni-jena.de/service-msz
Postal address:
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
Master Service Centre (MSZ)
F¨¹rstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Video chat:
To the video chat ¨C Zoom
Videochat ZeitenTuesday - Thursday
3:15 pm - 4 pm
Password Master
Data protection informationpdf,?101?kb
Academic Office for Student Affairs and Examinations (ASPA)
Bachstra?e 18k
07743 Jena
Telephone hours:
Mondays and Fridays (9:00 ¨C 11:00)
Wednesdays (13:00 ¨C 15:00)
The ASPA is primarily responsible for students in the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and the Faculty of Theology.
Postal address:
Akademisches Studien- und Pr¨¹fungsamt
F¨¹rstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Ancient Near East and Arabic Studies Students Council
Zw?tzengasse 4
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link
Central Academic Advisory Service
F¨¹rstengraben 1
07743 Jena
Google Maps site planExternal link