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What is Jewish and Islamic civilisations?

Judaism and Islam have been deeply influential in the development of European, Middle Eastern, North African, and North American societies. Studying their origins and cultures provides an insight into the challenges of diversity and multiculturalism in an increasingly globalised world. Whether you find yourself drawn to the ancient or modern worlds or favour the study of literature, religion, history, languages or politics, you will find in this degree a way to deepen your appreciation of complex and diverse societies and cultures. From Babylon to Berlin, from Cracow to Cordoba, from New York to Jerusalem, explore these extraordinary societies with us.

Encountering these civilisations is not confined to the classroom and we organise various activities that include study tours (e.g., Poland, Berlin, Andalusia). Each year international figures working in areas such as Human Rights, Holocaust studies, and Middle Eastern archaeology come to the Department to contribute to the courses. We also offer internships in our museum for those interested in gaining skills and experience.

Is this the right course for you?

If you want to understand how the civilisations of the Ancient Near East shaped the Bible or how ancient societies influence modern cultures and values, this course would be of great interest to you. If you find yourself asking how societies develop their values and perspectives, you will be able to explore how they do so over the course of some of the most exciting periods of human history.

A range of student activities will be available to you and many of these help you to develop the kind of skills employers look for. Graduates go on to work in many careers: some have entered professional schools in such fields as law, journalism, or are in communal or social work. Others have combined their interest in Jewish, Islamic and Near Eastern Studies with careers in business, NGOs, international human rights, and the arts. All have found the degree to be an intellectually and personally rewarding experience and an important aspect of their career pathway.

Course content

The Junior Freshman year

In the first year we offer introductory courses in the origins of Ancient Near Eastern, medieval and modern Jewish and Islamic civilisations explored through literature, inscriptions, and archaeological evidence.

• The World of the Ancient Near East and the Bible explores the environment of the world of ancient Israel and Judah using both literary and archaeological evidence. Particular attention is paid to the worldviews of the ancient Israelites and their neighbours in the land of Palestine and in Babylonia, Persia, Egypt and the Hellenistic and Roman worlds. The origin of different Jewish groups including the early Christian movement is explored.
• Introduction to Islamic civilisation introduces history, texts and cultural contexts for the development of Islamic civilisation from its origins in the Arabian peninsula to the present. Sources examined include the Qur'an, Islamic art and architecture, and literature of the Middle East.
• Introduction to Jewish Civilisation from Antiquity to the Modern Period outlines the major cultural movements in Jewish history from their ancient origins in the Near East through the medieval Muslim and Christian societies up to the modern experience.

The second and third years

From the second year on, you may choose from a range of courses depending on the individual interests you have developed in your first year. You will be able to study diverse cultures in the ancient, medieval and modern worlds through political, religious and literary texts, material culture, blogs and film. Topics include Ancient Empires of the Mediterranean and the Near East, Arabs in Antiquity, Jews and Muslims in Modern Europe, and Great Jewish books.

In addition you have the option to take Arabic, Greek or Hebrew. In second year you may take a course in Trinity College's Broad Curriculum programme.

The Senior Sophister Year

In your final year you will be able to choose special subjects from a range on offer. Courses offered in recent years include: The Jews of Egypt; Islam and Human Rights; Islam and gender; Holocaust representation; The Bible in popular culture. In addition to these courses, you will be able to write a thesis on a topic of interest to you.

Assessment

A combination of end of year examination and continuous assessment, e.g. essays, book reviews, seminar presentations, and digital projects.

Did you know?

• Trinity College is the only university in Ireland that offers a course in Jewish and Islamic civilisations.

Study Abroad

You may have the opportunity to avail of a semester abroad programme.

Career opportunities

The course in Jewish and Islamic civilisations is an arts degree and graduates have skills that are highly valued by potential employers and they pursue the same kinds of careers as other arts graduates. Trinity College's Careers Advisory Service recently surveyed employers about what they looked for in arts graduates and top of the list came: enthusiasm for the position, personal qualities and transferable skills such as good oral communication, written communication, team work and problem solving. Students of Jewish and Islamic civilisations have ample opportunity to develop all of these skills within a department that is relatively small and very student centered. A knowledge of the cultures, values and histories of different societies in the global community is an advantage for many types of careers.

Our graduates have followed careers in areas such as law, NGOs, journalism and media, and teaching. They also have been very successful in gaining places in MA and PhD programmes.

Further information

See: www.tcd.ie/nmes