M.A. in Critical Asian and Middle Eastern Humanities

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Critical Asian and Middle Eastern Humanities in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) combines critical theory and area studies, with an emphasis on visual and digital culture, performance culture, intellectual history, gender studies, cultural anthropology, migration studies, and empire studies of greater Asia. Our strength lies in the modern and contemporary periods in the Middle East and East Asia, and our training provides students with the skills needed to pursue careers in academic disciplines and professional fields seeking international regional expertise and a global outlook.
 
Our innovative and comprehensive curriculum is grounded in the humanities, the interpretive social sciences, and language training. We also encourage our students to take courses with Duke faculty who are affiliated with our program and housed in multiple departments across campus. Students will work closely with a faculty adviser to develop an individual research project, culminating in an MA thesis. The degree is dependent on the successful completion of the thesis and its oral defense. Students must attain advanced language proficiency in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Turkish, or Hebrew, equivalent to three years of college-level study. Up to two East Asian or Middle Eastern language courses may be counted toward the 10-course requirement. Students who already have proficiency in one Asian language are not required to study a second language, though they are welcome to do so.
 
AMES collaborates with the Asian/Pacific Studies (APSI) Institute and the Duke University Middle East Studies Center (DUMESC) at Duke University.  AMES and APSI sponsor speaker series, international conferences and visiting scholars from around the world. They also offer forums for graduate students to share their work. Duke also has close ties with Asian and Middle Eastern Studies faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and students can receive credit for courses at either institution.

Statistics

• Critical Asian and Middle Eastern Humanities: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Critical Asian and Middle Eastern Humanities: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available: Fall

Application Deadline: February 17

Graduate School Application Requirements
See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General Required
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English
  *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Department-Specific Application Requirements (submitted through online application)
Applicants with TOEFL scores of 100 and above or IELTS scores of 7 and above are preferred.

Writing Sample
None required

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying: Departmental Application Guidance

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