The program of study comprises different kinds of courses: compulsory courses, core courses, and elective courses, accompanied by unique study frameworks.

1. Compulsory courses: There are two compulsory courses, one theoretical (annual) and one methodological (taught in the second semester). These courses equip students with systematic knowledge about basic principles of critical theory and skills in a range of research practices.

2. Core courses: Every year the Program offers a different range of courses, among them various topics including anthropology of the senses, popular music, everyday cultures, digital culture, the big data revolution, popular culture in the Arab world, and many others.

3. Elective courses: Students select elective courses according to their personal program, advised by the Program’s academic staff. Elective courses are graduate-level courses from the various programs of study offered by the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University. Study in additional faculties is possible if justified by the nature of the individual research that a student is carrying out.

The MA Program

The MA program in Cultural Studies is a unique personal program comprising compulsory courses, core courses, and elective courses. It is the only program in the country that combines approaches and theories drawn from the Humanities and the Social sciences. It brings together and connects between designated courses (core courses) and courses from the Faculties of Humanities and Social Sciences (elective courses).

Students in the research track need to write a thesis to complete their degrees, while those in the non-research track submit additional seminar papers.

 

	Research Track (Track A)	Non-Research Track (Track B)	Comments
Compulsory courses	6 credits	6 credits	The compulsory courses (“Methodological Approaches to Cultural Studies” and “Critical Theories of Culture”) must be taken in the first year.
Core Courses	12 credits	12 credits	Core courses can be chosen from the list in the course catalog.
Elective courses	14 credits	16 credits	Students select MA courses from the courses offered by the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences, guided by the program’s academic staff.
Seminar papers	4 credits: One paper in the first year	8 credits Two papers: one in the first year and one in the second year
Departmental seminar	Students must participate for at least one year (no credits).	Students must participate for at least one year (no credits).	The seminar provides an opportunity for encounters and dialogue. There are no assignments, and no credits are awarded.
Thesis	Writing of an MA thesis	-	Supervised by and with the personal guidance of a member of the university’s academic staff.
Total no. of credits required	36	42

 

Please note that some of the departments do not give 4 extra credits for the submission of a seminar paper in addition to the course credits (for example, Sociology). Please check this with the department offering the course.

You can view and sign up for courses in the course catalog.

Transfer from the non-research track to the research track is conditional on meeting the following requirements:

1. An average of 90 or above in the program’s compulsory courses.

2. An average of 90 or above in any required make-up courses

3. The student has obtained the consent of a supervisor to supervise the dissertation.

4. Declaration of intention to finish within two years – a declaration form must be signed

5. The transfer from one track to another must be completed by the beginning of the first semester of the second year.