Middle Eastern Jewish and Islamic Civilisations Trinity College Dublin

Overview

Middle Eastern, Jewish and Islamic Civilisations: The course for you?

If you are interested in ancient and modern history, in literature, in religion and philosophy, in the Middle East and its cultures and religions, in the region’s relationship with the Western world, the Middle Eastern Jewish and Islamic Civilisations programme of Trinity College Dublin would be of great interest to you. If you find yourself asking how societies develop their values and perspectives, you will be able to explore how they do so over the course of some of the most exciting periods of human history beginning with the cultures of ancient Israelites, Persians and Babylonians and extending to the contemporary political conditions in the Middle East.

Key Facts

Trinity is the only university in Ireland that offers a course in Middle Eastern, Jewish and Islamic Civilisations. It attracts students of social and cultural diversity from Ireland and abroad. Our graduates in Ireland and internationally include lecturers working in European, UK and US universities, as well as graduates working in other areas including museum work, journalism, international relations, teaching, research, human rights and law.

By comparison with other Trinity departments, the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies is small in size but has a thriving undergraduate and postgraduate community. Our dedication to small-group teaching makes the student experience particularly rewarding. Amongst our students we foster independent and creative thinking and to facilitate this, lecturers are always ready to meet individual students to discuss academic issues.

Graduate skills and career opportunities

This broad humanities degree in Middle Eastern, Jewish and Islamic Civilisations provides the ideal foundation for those aspiring to careers in public services, foreign affairs, diplomacy, journalism and education. Many of our graduates can be found in these and in other professions.

Students receive a rewarding education in Middle Eastern, North African, Jewish and Islamic history and culture, but also instilled are more general skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving as well as training in international affairs that are highly attractive to potential employers.