Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

NMC: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations

MA and PhD

  • Fields:
    • Ancient and Near Eastern Studies;
    • Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

In the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, faculty conduct research in the following areas: Egyptology, including archaeology, language, history, and religion; Mesopotamia and the Near East, including archaeology and Assyriology; Syro-Palestinian archaeology; Hebrew and Judaic studies, including Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew, law, history, religion, and modern Hebrew literature; Aramaic (Ancient, Biblical, Targumic, and Talmudic Aramaic) and Syriac studies, including language, history, religion; Arabic studies; Islamic studies; history of the Islamic world and the modern Middle East; Islamic art; Persian studies; and Turkish studies, including Ottoman language and history.

Contact and Address

Web: nmc.utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-3181
Fax: (416) 978-3305

Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations
University of Toronto
2nd Floor, 4 Bancroft Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1C1
Canada

NMC: Graduate Faculty

Full Members

Andres Toledo, Miguel - MA, PhD
Bahoora, Haytham - BA, MA, PhD
Baker, Heather D. - DPhil
Beaulieu, Paul-Alain - LLB, BA, MA, PhD
Fox, Harry - BSc, BA, MS, MA, PhD
Goebs, Katja - MA, DPhil
Grzymski, Krzysztof - MA, PhD
Hanssen, Jens - BPhil, DPhil
Harrak, Amir - MA, LTh, PhD
Harrison, Timothy - BA, MA, PhD
Holmstedt, Robert - BA, MA, PhD
Kana'an, Ruba - MPH, MPH, DPhil
Kingston, Paul - BA, MA, MPH, DPhil
Meacham, Tirzah - BA, MA, PhD
Methodieva, Milena - PhD
Metso, Sarianna - MA, PhD
Miller, Jeanne - BA, MA, PhD (Associate Chair, Graduate)
Mittermaier, Amira - MA, PhD
Moumtaz, Nada - PhD
Newman, Judith - PhD
Ostapchuk, Victor - BA, PhD
Pouls Wegner, Mary-Ann - BA, PhD (Chair and Graduate Chair)
Raffaelli, Enrico - PhD
Razzaque, Arafat - BA, MTH, AM, PhD
Reichel, Clemens - MA, PhD
Reilly, James - BA, MA, PhD
Saleh, Walid - BA, MA, PhD
Subtelny, Maria - BA, PhD
Tavakoli-Targhi, Mohamad - BA, MA, PhD
Virani, Shafique - PhD
Zakar, Adrien - MA, PhD

Members Emeriti

Aksan, Virginia - BA, MA, MLS, PhD
Daviau, Michele - MTh, PhD
Garshowitz, Libby - BA, MA, PhD
Golombek, Lisa - BA, MA, PhD
Keall, Edward - BA, PhD
Leprohon, Ronald - BA, PhD
Lutz, R.Theodore - MA
Northrup, Linda - BA, MA, PhD
Pietersma, Albert - BA, BD, PhD
Reilly, James - BA, MA, PhD
Sandler, Rivanne - BA, MA, PhD
Taylor, Glen - BA, MPH, MTh, PhD

Associate Members

Abdullah, Thabit - BA, MA, PhD
Ali, Abdel-Khalig - BA, MA, PhD
Ali, Adam - BA, MA, MA, PhD
Burton, Elisabeth - BA, AM, PhD
Emon, Anver - LLB, BA, LLM, MA, PhD, SJD, CRC
Fadel, Mohammad - BA, JD, PhD
Hare, Laura - BA, MTh, PhD
Hojatollah Taleghani, Azita - BA, MA, MA, PhD
McLaughlin, John - BA, MA, MDiv, PhD
Mercan, Gozde - BA, MA, PhD
Nizri, Yigal - BFA
Porter, Anne - BA, MA, MA, PhD
Sheibani, Mariam - BA, MA, PhD
Symons, Sarah - BSc, PhD
Welton, Megan - BA, MA, PhD

NMC: Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations MA

Master of Arts

Program Description

Depending on the amount of undergraduate preparation, students may enrol in either a two-year MA program or a one-year MA program option. Students can also complete the MA through a coursework option or a thesis option. The MA program may be taken on a part-time basis.

 

MA Program (One-Year Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in a relevant program from a recognized university with an average of at least B+, or equivalent, in the final year.

  • Two letters of reference.

  • Statement of academic intent.

  • Some programs may require appropriate knowledge of a primary source language, or one or more European languages.

  • Students choosing to focus on Islamic Art and Material Culture must have a reading knowledge of French or German at the time of admission.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

Coursework Option
  • Students must complete 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs).

Thesis Option
  • Students must complete a thesis (1.0 FCE) under the guidance of a supervisor on a topic approved by the supervisor.

  • 2.0 FCEs in coursework.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
9 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

 

MA Program (Two-Year Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate bachelor's degree in a relevant program from a recognized university with an average of at least B+, or equivalent, in the final year.

  • Two letters of reference.

  • Statement of academic intent.

  • Some programs may require appropriate knowledge of a primary source language, or one or more European languages.

  • Students choosing to focus on Islamic Art and Material Culture must have a reading knowledge of French or German at the time of admission.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

All students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs). Students who choose to focus on Islamic art and material culture must successfully complete at least 2.0 FCEs each in art and in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations.

Coursework Option
  • Students must complete 6.0 FCEs.

Thesis Option
  • Students must complete a thesis (1.0 FCE) under the guidance of a supervisor on a topic approved by the supervisor.

  • 5.0 FCEs in coursework.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S);
18 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

NMC: Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate MA or 2) direct entry following completion of a bachelor’s degree.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Admission via one of two routes:

    • MA degree in a relevant program from a recognized university with at least an A– average or equivalent in courses taken for the MA program.

    • Direct entry from a bachelor's degree for exceptionally qualified applicants, at the discretion of the department.

  • Ability to conduct independent research.

  • Competence in primary source language(s) relevant to the applicant's research.

  • Two letters of reference.

  • Statement of academic intent.

  • Writing sample of no more than 12 double-spaced pages including footnotes.

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)/resumé up to three pages in length.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

Program Requirements

  • The program of study is determined in consultation with the department and includes written and oral general examinations.

  • Each year of the PhD program, students are obligated to consult with their advisor and Graduate Coordinator to see that appropriate coursework is done and that the language requirements are completed on schedule.

  • The minimum course requirement will normally be 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Year 1: 3.0 FCEs.

    • Year 2: 3.0 FCEs.

  • Students who have completed a two-year MA in the department may apply for a course reduction that will be granted at the discretion of the department. The reduction should normally be 1.0 FCE, but may be up to 3.0 FCEs in cases of students who also have an exceptional preparation in their area of study at the BA level. Coursework and all language requirements are to be completed by the end of Year 2.

  • In consultation with the supervisor, examining committee, and supervisory committee (if it has already been established), students will prepare a short draft proposal of two to four pages with bibliography by May of Year 2. The short draft proposal will direct some of the preparation for the comprehensive examinations which will take place by the end of the first session of Year 3. A final proposal of at least 10 pages plus bibliography is to be approved by the supervisory committee within one to two months of the completion of the comprehensive exams.

  • Students are required to demonstrate reading comprehension in two languages of modern scholarship (typically French and German), the first by the end of Year 1 in residence, and the second by the end of Year 2 of residence. A language other than French or German may be substituted with approval of the Academic Advisor and the Graduate Coordinator. In some cases, the department may require competence in another language relevant to the student's program. The choice of language(s) must be approved by the department.

  • Residence. Students are required to be registered on campus for the period during which coursework requirements are being fulfilled, and in no case for less than two academic years.

  • Thesis. The thesis must embody the results of original investigation and constitute a significant contribution to knowledge in the field. It must be based on research conducted while registered in the PhD program. The thesis must be successfully defended at a Final Oral Examination.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry

NMC: Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations MA, PhD Courses

Akkadian and Sumerian Languages and Literatures

Course Code Course Title
NMC1001Y
Introduction to Old Babylonian
NMC1002Y
Selected Standard Babylonian Texts
NMC1003Y
Akkadian Historical Texts
NMC1004Y
Intermediate Sumerian
NMC1005Y
The Assyrian Language
NMC1008Y Babylonian Archival Texts (Late Periods)
(prerequisite: NMC1001Y)
NMC1009Y
Introduction to Sumerian

Ancient Egyptian Language and Literature

Course Code Course Title
NMC1201Y
Introduction to Middle Egyptian
NMC1202Y
Middle Egyptian Texts
NMC1203Y
Late Egyptian Texts
NMC1210H
Ancient Egyptian Historical Texts
NMC1213H
Ancient Egyptian Religious and Funerary Literature
NMC1215H Ancient Egyptian Instructional Texts
(prerequisites: NMC1201Y, NMC1202Y)

Arabic Studies

Course Code Course Title
NMC2100Y
Elementary Modern Standard Arabic
NMC2101Y
Intermediate Standard Arabic I
NMC2102Y
Intermediate Standard Arabic II
NMC2103Y
Advanced Standard Arabic
NMC2110H
Al-Jahiz and His Debate Partners
NMC2111H
Medieval Arabic Rhetoric
NMC2130H
Adab and Arabic Literary Prose
NMC2131H
Premodern Arabic Poetry

Aramaic-Syriac Language and Literature

Course Code Course Title
NMC1100Y
Introduction to Aramaic
NMC1101Y
Early Syriac Texts
NMC1102Y
Palestinian Aramaic Texts
NMC1105Y
Syriac Historical Texts
NMC1106Y
Syriac Exegetical Texts
NMC1110H
Palestinian Targum
NMC1111Y
Babylonian Aramaic

Archaeology

Course Code Course Title
NMC1400H
The Archaeology of the Pre- and Protohistoric Civilizations of the Near East
NMC1404H Archaeological Reconstructions of Pottery Production and Consumption in the Middle Euphrates
NMC1406Y
Problems in the Archaeology of Bronze Age Syria-Palestine
NMC1408Y
Seminar in the Archaeology of Syria-Palestine
NMC1409H
Archaeology and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt I
NMC1410H
Archaeology and Material Culture of Ancient Egypt II
NMC1411H
Near Eastern Ceramics I
NMC1412H
Near Eastern Ceramics II
NMC1416H
Egyptian Iconography
NMC1418Y
Archaeology of Nubia
NMC1419Y
Art, Archaeology and Culture of Egypt in the Age of the Pyramids
NMC1421H
Seminar in Egyptian Archaeology I
NMC1422H
Seminar in Egyptian Archaeology II
NMC1423H
Ancient Iraq
NMC1424H
The Art and Archaeology of Syria
NMC1425H
Mesopotamian Material Culture — Art versus Artifact
NMC1426H
Sacred or Secular Space — Mesopotamian Architecture in Context
NMC1427H
Archaeology of State Societies
NMC1428H The Archaeology of Sumer
NMC1430H Warfare — The Archaeology of Conflict
NMC1500Y
Archaeology, from Alexander to Muhammad

Hebrew Language and Literature

Course Code Course Title
NMC1306H
Scribes, Manuscripts, and Translations of the Hebrew Bible
NMC1307H
History of Ancient Israel
NMC1308H
Readings in Hebrew Bible
NMC1310H
Readings in Second Temple Period Texts
NMC1313H Mishnah and Tosefta
NMC1314H
Law in Ancient Judaism
NMC1315H
Advanced Readings in the Dead Sea Scrolls
NMC1318H
Midreshei Halakha: Purity and Cultic Texts
NMC1327H Themes in Midreshic Literature
NMC1328H Intertextuality: Tannaitic and Amoaric Literature

History

Course Code Course Title
NMC1010H
Mesopotamian Society and Economy
NMC1020H
Ancient Mesopotamia I: Sumerians and Akkadians
NMC1021H
Ancient Mesopotamia II: Assyrians and Babylonians
NMC1022H
The Babylonian City
NMC1023H
The Neo-Assyrian Empire
NMC2080H
Theory and Method in Middle Eastern Studies
NMC2081H
Anthropology of the Middle East
NMC2090Y
The Prophet and the Caliphates: Early Islamic History to 1258
NMC2117H
Readings in Medieval Arabic Chronicles
NMC2119H
Readings in Medieval Arabic Documents
NMC2129H Arabic Manuscript Studies
(prerequisite: NMC2101Y or NML211Y or equivalent)
NMC2160H Hadith and the Study of Traditions in Islamic History
(prerequisite: adequate knowledge of Arabic, or the instructor's permission)
NMC2170H
Topics in Modern Arab History I
NMC2171H
Topics in Modern Arab History II
NMC2172H
The Politics of Archaeology in the Modern Middle East
NMC2173H
Intellectuals of the Modern Arab World
NMC2180H
Iranian Modernity
NMC2225Y
History of Iran: From the Sasanians to the Safavids
NMC2226H
Medieval Persian Historiography and Diplomatics
NMC2230H
The First World Empire: The Achaemenids
NMC2231H
Alexander and Iran
NMC2232H
Iran After Alexander: From the Seleucids to the Parthians
NMC2310Y
Ottoman History to 1699
NMC2313H History of the Late Ottoman Empire
NMC2315Y
Topics in Ottoman History
NMC2345Y
The Steppe Frontier in Eurasian and Islamic History
NMC2350H Capital, Technology, and Utopia in the Modern Middle East
NMC2351H Mapping the Ottoman World

Islamic Art and Material Culture

Course Code Course Title
NMC2530H New Approaches to 'Islamic Art'
NMC2531H The Mosque: Readings in Architecture, Law, and Authority in Muslim Context
NMC2541Y
Contextualizing Medieval Middle Eastern and Islamic Pottery

Topics in Law and Religion

Course Code Course Title
NMC1608H
Gender Issues in Jewish Law

Linguistics

Course Code Course Title
NMC1653H
Issues in Biblical Hebrew Linguistics
NMC1654H
Advanced Ancient Hebrew Grammar
NMC1655H
Comparative Semitics

Persian Studies

Course Code Course Title
NMC2200Y
Introductory Persian
NMC2201Y
Intermediate Persian
NMC2202H
Modern Persian Poetry
(prerequisite: NMC2201Y)
NMC2203H
Structural Development of Iranian Languages
(prerequisite: NMC2201Y)
NMC2204Y Avestan
NMC2205Y Middle Persian (Pahlavi)
NMC2206Y Old Persian
NMC2219H Persian Literature: The Epic Tradition
NMC2220H
Persian Literature: Ethical, Erotic, Mystical
NMC2221H
Persian Mirrors for Princes
NMC2223H The Persian Manuscript Tradition
NMC2224H
The Visionary Tales of Suhravardi, Master of Illuminationist Philosophy
NMC2225Y History of Iran: From the Sasanians to the Safavids
NMC2227H
Zoroastrian Cosmic History: From Genesis to Universal Judgment
NMC2228H
Zoroastrian Apocalyptic Literature: To the Netherworld and Beyond
NMC2229H Persians, Greeks, and Romans: Friendly Enemies

Religion and Philosophy

Course Code Course Title
NMC1613Y
Ancient Near Eastern Religion
(PhD students in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations excluded)
NMC1614Y
Ancient Egyptian Religion
(PhD students in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations excluded)
NMC2045Y
Islamic Philosophical Texts
NMC2055H
The Qur'an and Its Interpretation
NMC2056H
Readings in Qur'an and Tafsir

Turkish and Ottoman Studies

Course Code Course Title
NMC2300Y
Introductory Turkish
NMC2301Y
Intermediate Turkish
NMC2302Y Advanced Turkish (with Introduction to Ottoman Turkish)
NMC2320H Modern Turkey
NMC2330Y
Readings in Ottoman Historical Texts
NMC2331Y
Ottoman Palaeography and Diplomatics

Other Courses

Course Code Course Title
NMC2000H Directed Reading
NMC2000Y
Directed Reading
NMC2001H Directed Reading and Research
NMC2001Y
Directed Reading and Research
NMC2075H Graduate Research for MAs