Comprehensive and interdisciplinary in nature, the M.A programs in Balkan and Middle Eastern Studies combines teaching of relevant multi-disciplinary academic literature on the Balkans and Middle East and methodological expertise in their fields of study to analyze contemporary Balkan and Middle Eastern societies.

Content of the Program

The duration of the program is two academic years. The first year consists of four obligatory and four elective courses, to be concluded by a graduate seminar and writing of a Master’s thesis in the second year. Students who fulfill the necessary academic criteria can graduate at the end of the third semester.

Balkan Studies Course Overview:

·         Imagining Europe: Unity and Diversity; Nations and Nationalisms in the Balkans, Balkans and East Europe in World Politics, Seminar in Balkan History

• Choice of four elective courses, including:
  • Analysis an Resolution of Social Conflicts
  • Cinema and Literature of the Balkans
  • Citizenship, Nationalism and Multiculturalism
  • Comparative Analysis of Social Movements in the Balkans
  • Comparative Ethnic Studies
  • Islam and Contemporary Muslim Societies
  • Marriage, Family and Social Change
  • Nations and Nationalisms in the Balkans
  • Ottoman Socio-Economic History
  • Religion and Politics in Turkey
  • The European Union, Policies and Policy-Making
  • Turkey and European Integration

Middle Eastern Studies Course Overview:

·         Seminar in Middle Eastern History, Selected Topics in the Middle East Politics, Islam and  Contemporary Muslim Societies

• Choice of four elective courses, including:
  • Analysis an Resolution of Social Conflicts
  • Arab-Israeli Conflict in Historical and Current Perspectives
  • Citizenship, Nationalism and Multiculturalism
  • Comparative Ethnic Studies
  • Contemporary History of the Middle East
  • Contemporary Politics of the Middle East and Africa
  • History of Ottoman Social and Administrative Institutions
  • Islam and Contemporary Muslim Societies
  • Ottoman Rule in Arab Lands
  • Religion and Politics in Turkey
  • Seminar in Turkish Politics
  • State and Society Relations in Modern Turkey
  • The Emergence of Modern Middle East

Faculty and Research Profiles

Prof. Dr. Doğu Ergil: Kurdish Question, Building Civil Capacity for Democracy

Prof. Dr. Mehmet İpşirli: Ottoman Administrative and Institutional History, Ottoman Historiography

Prof. Dr. Mihai Maxim: Islamic Civilization in the Balkans, South-East Europe in the Ottoman Era

Prof. Dr. Ömer Çaha: Turkish Politcs, Women and Politics, Political Behaviors

Prof. Dr. Tahir Abbas: Ethnic Studies, Islam and Muslims in Western Europe, Islamism, Islamophobia

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Yel: Sociology of Religion, Catholicism, Popular Religion, History of Civilizations

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ana Dević: Social Movements, Nationalism and Anti-Nationalism Post-socialism, Cinema Studies, Balkan Studies.

Assoc. Prof. Erdoğan Keskinkılıç: Social and Economic History in Ottoman Empire, Minority Education in Ottoman Empire

Assoc. Prof. Dr. İhsan Yılmaz: Islamic Politico-Legal Philosophy, Islam-State-Society-Law Relations, Islamic Movements

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Savaş Genç: Political Integration of European Union, Turkish-German Relations

Assist. Prof. Aimilia Voulvouli: Environmental Sociology, Social Movements, Gender

Assist Prof. Georgios Theotokis: Military Cultures, History of Warfare, European History

Assist. Prof. Hasan Hüseyin Kalaycı: Multiculturalism, Ethnicity, Political Sociology, Nationalism

Assist Prof. Lucie Tunkrova: European Identity Politics, European Union and Enlargement

Assist. Prof. Önder Çetin: Ethnicity, Religious Nationalism, Social Conflicts, Cultural Memory, Balkan Studies

Qualifications for Admission

Applicants must possess a B.A. degree in History, International Relations, Political Science, Sociology or a relevant disciplinary specialization in social and political sciences, proficiency in English (TOEFL 500), GRE score (150 quantitative), a letter of intent demonstrating a strong motivation, affinity with and ability for scholarly research.

Tuition and Scholarships

Current rate for 2-year M.A. program is TL 17500 (€ 7.300). Fatih University has a wide range of scholarship options including full scholarship for successful students. For further details in scholarships, see http://sbe.fatih.edu.tr/?indirimler&language=EN

Career Prospects

The Master’s programs in Balkan and Middle Eastern Studies prepares students for work in a variety of sectors. In addition to an academic career, graduates can find employment in policy-making positions at relevant ministries, nonprofit organisations and think tanks as well as positions in socio-cultural sectors.

For detailed information: http://sbe.fatih.edu.tr/

For online applications: http://sbe.fatih.edu.tr/?newapplication&language=EN