Is Middle Eastern Studies a dead field?

[soarhigher4]

I've had a strong passion over the last decade to study gender and the Middle East (I know very broad).  One thing has always held me back from pursuing graduate school in Middle Eastern studies, actually 2 concerns:  1) job outlook and 2) paying for an expensive degree that doesn't provide an adequate return to justify the pursuit.  

 

Can someone talk me off the ledge?  I really want to go for it, but my rational brain interferes!

[smg]

Go for it! 

 

Rationality is overrated.  We are animals not androids. 

[ExponentialDecay]

Grad school in the humanities and social sciences is never a good idea, but the good news is, no discipline is significantly worse than another.

 

1) you didn't say what kind of degree you will be getting and what your career aspirations are (which tells me you haven't researched this enough to be asking pointed questions). if you want to be a professor of middle eastern studies, yeah, probably not. but if you gain some marketable skills, like Arabic proficiency, and concentrate in an area of interest to governments and NGOs, you can cut yourself a moneyed niche.

 

2) nobody pays for grad school, bro (unless you're getting an MA, but why are you getting an MA instead of taking the (few) requirements you conceivably don't have at a state university or cc and applying for the PhD...)

[tomasdavis]

Hi Soar,

 

Im applying for 2015 ME studies programs, if I get some funding to reduce the financial burden I will do it, and I cant really give you a clear career plan.  Ive been teaching in the Mideast for 4 years, Id like to improve my academic arabic and learn more about the Mideast - even if i were to return to university teaching afterwards, I would consider it worthwhile (again, assuming I get some reasonable amount of funding).  I would strongly discourage anybody from applying to programs who hasnt spent at least a year in the Mideast - both for a competitive grad school app as well as the opportunity to experience the language and culture to get a realistic sense of whether this is for you - its definitely not for everybody.

[Meglet]

I think it depends on what you want to do.  I did an MA in Middle Eastern Studies, with only a vague idea that I wanted to increase intercultural understanding.  Without a political background and internships, the degree wasn't enough to get me into think-tank, NGO, or government jobs.  I really wanted to be a professor, but couldn't admit that to myself at the time, so now I'm applying to PhD programs in anthropology (with a focus on the Middle East).

 

If you have the other background to do what you want to do, a degree might pay off, or it might not be necessary.  Or it might be worth getting a degree in a more traditional discipline but focusing on the Middle East - I figure that gives me more options for finding jobs, because I qualify for 2 departments.

 

I'm not sure what my PhD chances would be if I hadn't done the MA, but the whole thing is definitely less of a financial risk if you can get your degree paid for, which is more likely at the PhD level.  But if you don't want to be a professor, a PhD might not make the most sense.  

 

If you don't know more specifically what you want to study and/or what you want to do career-wise, the suggestion to take (or audit) a few classes at a local school might help you figure it out, as well as strengthening your application if you decide to go that route.

[Tachiyaku]

I agree with Meglet, I think it's wiser to situate yourself in a particular discipline (history, anthro, comp lit, etc) at a school with a strong Middle East program or emphasis. That will certainly widen your job opportunities. In any case, that's what I'm doing - anthro program, Middle East geographical focus. 

[litthelife]

Hi everyone, 

I have a question for you. I am an English Literature graduate from Iran, and fluent in Persian, Turkish, and English. I want to have a cross cultural study on 'literature' of a specific era in history in Iran and Turkey. Given the fact that I want to work on Literature, do you propose that I apply to a Middle Eastern Dep. or a Comparative Literature one? Could any one please provide me with information which department is stronger in the Literature in Persian and Turkish studies in the US? 

Looking forward for your replies, 

[jbeld]

Hi litthelife!

What you are describing seems like more typical of the Comparative Literature field in the US, but you might also find a Middle East Studies department that is right for you! I would advise you to focus on finding professors whose work you think is similar to what you want to do, then finding out where they work and applying there. Not every Comp Lit department will have a specialist in Persian and Turkish literature, so you want to focus your applications on universities where there will be someone to mentor you.

Good luck!

[Guest]

In my case, I am getting a Masters in International Affairs (International/Homeland Security) WITH a 'graduate certificate' in Middle East Studies/Politics/Affairs. Or International Affairs with a focus on the Middle East

 

There also seems to be two types of Middle East Studies. One that focuses on Middle East ancient cultures/arts (Mesopotamia,Persia, Syriac-Aramaic  languages,Egyptology,  etc). Or the one that focuses on modern day affairs within the region (ie: ISIS, Israel-Palestine; Syrian War, etc) . The latter one seems to be the one that garners the most attention if you plan to work for a government or intelligence agency job.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Guest

[BlueRaincoat]

Hi everyone, 

I have a question for you. I am an English Literature graduate from Iran, and fluent in Persian, Turkish, and English. I want to have a cross cultural study on 'literature' of a specific era in history in Iran and Turkey. Given the fact that I want to work on Literature, do you propose that I apply to a Middle Eastern Dep. or a Comparative Literature one? Could any one please provide me with information which department is stronger in the Literature in Persian and Turkish studies in the US? 

Looking forward for your replies, 

 

Hi,

 

It can go either way. As the person above me said, it really depends on the professors withing the specific department.

You need to find a professor who's main interest is Parisian or Turkish literature and apply to the department they belong to. Sometimes it will be Complt but it could also be Middle Eastern studies.

Normally your professors at your home university should be familiar with at least some of the professors who research similar fields at US universities.

 

Hope this helps