Extra-Mural & Evening Courses
The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies hosts a series of evening public lectures each year. Further details of the series for the year 2013-14 will be available in September 2013.
In addition to this series, the department also offers the following day-time courses. Please note that it is possible to take part 2 courses without taking part 1.
For further information please contact:
Sinead Dixon,
Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies,
Arts Building,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.
Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Introduction to Islamic Civilisations (Part 1 and Part 2)
This module provides a broad introduction to the history, texts and cultural contexts that have guided the development of Islamic civilizations from their origins in the Arabian Peninsula to their present dispersion throughout the world. We will study the Qur’an and the Ahadith in some depth and will also consider relevant examples of Islamic art and architecture, and literature. The first part of the course focuses on engaging basic tenets within Islamic thinking through the study of primary texts and artefacts. In part two of the course we will use this knowledge to analyse and better understand Islam in its contemporary forms.
Name of Lecturer
Professor Roja Fazaeli
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee
Part 1 €150
Part 2 €150
Both parts €259
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension. Those paying in two installments must make the second payment no later than Friday, 10th January 2014.
Date and place
Teaching in the first semester commences the week beginning 23rd September 2013 and in the second semester the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Semester A - This class will take place on Monday 9am - 10am in Room 3081, Arts Building and Wednesday 11am - 12pm, Room 2041A
Semester B - This class will take place on Monday 9am - 10am in Room 3081, Arts Building and on Wednesday 11am-12pm in Room 5033, Arts Building.
Duration
The course runs for a total of twenty-four weeks in two parts. Part 1 runs through the first semester term; part 2 runs through the second semester.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Introduction to Jewish Civilization from Antiquity to the Modern Period
(Part 1 and Part 2)
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the development of Jewish civilization from the earliest period to the present. The module is designed for those who are just starting their study of Judaism and it equips the student with knowledge of the central issues and main texts in the formation of Jewish identity. The intention of this course is to allow the student to acquire a basic knowledge of Jewish culture and history. Part 1 focuses on basic aspects of Jewish culture including the Jewish library, calendar and festivals. Part 2 provides an introductory overview of Jewish history from the rabbinic period through Medieval Europe, the Middle East, Spain and North Africa to modern Jewish life in Western and Eastern Europe, the US and Israel.
Name of Lecturer
Professor Zuleika Rodgers
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2012, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5037, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2012.
Fee
Part 1 €150
Part 2 €150
Both parts €259
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension. Those paying in two installments must make the second payment no later than Friday, 10th January 2014.
Date and place
Teaching in the first semester commences the week beginning 23rd September 2013 and in the second semester the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Part 1. Semester A - Monday 3pm - 4pm , Room 4096, Arts Building and Tuesday 2pm - 3pm, Room 5086, Arts Building.
Part 2. Semester B - Monday 3pm - 4pm in Room 4096, Arts Building and Tuesday 2pm - 3pm in Room 3069, Arts Building.
Duration
The course runs for a total of twenty-four weeks in two parts. Part 1 runs through the first semester; part 2 runs through the second semester.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Jewish and Christian Origins and the Bible
Jewish and Christian Origins and the Bible
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Anne Fitzpatrick
Part 1 of this introductory module explores the physical environment of the world of ancient Israel and early Judaism using both literary and archaeological evidence. Particular attention is paid to the religious worldview of the ancient Israelites and their neighbours in the land of Palestine and in Babylonia, Persia, Egypt and the Hellenistic world. The literature of the Israelites (primarily the Bible, the Pentateuch and the Deuteronomistic History) is examined within this wider context. Part 1 of this module can be taken without part 2 and is suitable for those with no prior knowledge.
Part 2
In the first six weeks inscriptions and other material evidence from the environment of ancient Israel which may help to elucidate the world of the Biblical texts are examined. For example, the Mesha Inscription from the ancient kingdom of Moab is examined and compared to the biblical account of wars with Moab in the book of Judges. Also explored is the importance of writing in ancient Israel and in the ancient Near Eastern world of Israel’s neighbours. How important were written records? Were the identities and self-understandings of the ancient societies more deeply rooted in oral tradition and if so how can we begin to explore their religions and cultures? The second part of the course looks at the emergence of the Jesus movement within the Jewish world of first century Palestine. Topics covered included Jesus and Jewish tradition, Jesus and Torah, Jesus and the Temple and Jesus and first century Jewish sects. (Part 2 of this module can be taken without part 1 and is suitable for those with no prior knowledge).
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee
Part 1 €150
Part 2 €150
Both parts €259
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension. Those paying in two installments must make the second payment no later than Friday, 10th January 2014.
Date and place
Teaching in the first semester commences the week beginning 23rd September 2013 and in the second semester the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Semester A - Wednesday 9am - 10am, Room 4042, Arts Building and Thursday 11am - 12pm , Room 4097, Arts Building.
Semester B - Wednesday 9am - 10am in Room 4096, Arts Building and Thursday 11am - 12pm in Room 4097, Arts Building.
Duration
The course runs for a total of twenty-four weeks in two parts. Part 1 runs through the first semester, part 2 runs through the second semester.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Jews in the Medieval World
Semester A
The Medieval period witnessed innovation in Jewish intellectual activity in the fields of poetry, exegesis, philosophy and mysticism. This module presents an historical overview of the social, economic, communal, political and religious lives of the Jews in the Medieval world. Two historical matrices for Jewish life and thought will provide the focus for the course: Christian Europe and the Islamic empires in Baghdad, Cairo and Al-Andalus. In lectures, the students examine the diverse ways in which Judaic culture and religious thought developed in each of these contexts through reading the primary literature and modern commentators. The Medieval period witnessed innovation in Jewish intellectual activity in the fields of poetry, exegesis, philosophy and mysticism.
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Zuleika Rodgers
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in Michaelmas Term commences during the week beginning 23rd September 2013. Please note this is a day-time course.
Semester A - Monday 11am - 12pm , Room M21, Museum Building and Thursday 9am - 10am , Regents House.
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Michaelmas Term.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Human Rights in the Middle East
This module seeks to provide students with an introduction to human rights from theoretical and practical perspectives. We will concentrate on human rights in the Middle East and contemporary international understanding and coverage of these issues. Themes addressed will include: minority rights, women’s rights, Islam and human rights and religious freedoms.
We will make use of case studies and pay particular attention to questions of implementation through national laws and policies. We will also consider the roles of the international human rights system with respect to the Middle East as a region and its most vulnerable groups.
Name of Lecturer
Professor Fazaeli
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in Michaelmas Term commences during the week beginning 23rd September 2013. Please note this is a day-time course.
Semester A - Tuesday 3pm - 4pm, Regents House and Thursday 11am - 12pm, Regents House .
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Michaelmas Term.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Islam in the Medieval World
Semester B
This module surveys the development of Islam in the medieval period through historical, sociological and literary lenses. We will cover major dynasties and movements from the Abbasids to the Fatimids in the Middle East and North Africa. We will also study notable historical figures, such as Omar Khayyam, and consider the endurance and relevance of philosophy and poetry produced during this time in the contemporary Middle East and Europe. The course concludes with a brief overview of the Crusades and the early history of Islam in Europe.
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Fazaeli
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in the Hilary Term commences the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Hilary Term.
Semester B - Tuesday 3pm - 4pm in McNeill Lecture Theatre, Hamilton Building and Thursday 9am - 10am in Room 2041B, Arts Building.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Response to Empire: Israel and Judah under Near Eastern Imperial Rule
Semester A
The module examines the way in which the concept “empire” has been applied to the ancient Near East and asks whether or not the application of our modern notion of empire is appropriate to the way in which ancient Near Eastern imperial rulers imposed rule and to the way in which subjects of this rule responded. With a revised understanding of ancient Near Eastern imperial rule, the impact of such rule (including neo-Assyrians, neo-Babylonian, Persian, Ptolemaic and Seleucid) on national monarchies including Israel and Judah is explored. The response of the subjects of empire to this rule as this can be detected in art and architecture, literature (the Bible, the Sybilline Oracles from Egypt and other Near Eastern documents) and documents from daily life form the focus of seminars.
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Anne Fitzpatrick
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 18th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in Michaelmas Term commences during the week beginning 23rd September 2013. Please note this is a day-time course.
Semester A - Tuesday 10am - 11am, Room 4050B, Arts Building and Wednesday 6pm -7pm, Room 2041A, Arts Building.
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Michaelmas Term.
Further information
Contact: Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Response to Empire: Rome and the Judeans
Semester B
This module examines the relationship between the Roman Empire and the Judeans, both in Judea and in the Diaspora. The course is intended to provide students with a knowledge of the main issues that come into play in this complex interaction between a Near Eastern ethnic group whose ancestral customs underpin a system of ethical monotheism and the Roman imperial power in need of a stable environment on the eastern boundaries of its Empire. The course will trace relations from the period of Roman involvement in Judean affairs (63 BCE) through to the revolt that ultimately led to the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E.
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Zuleika Rodgers
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in the Hilary Term commences the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Hilary Term.
Semester B - Monday 11am - 12pm in Room APO.09 Aras An Phiarsaigh and Thursday 11am - 12pm in Room 2039, Arts Building.
Further information
Contact : Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Intellectual Trends in the Bible and Early Judaism: Prophecy, Wisdom and Apocalyptic
Semester B
This module explores the development of intellectual trends in early Jewish literature from the eighth century to the Hellenistic period. The social function and background of prophetic, apocalyptic and wisdom literature is explored with particular attention paid to the books of Amos, Hosea, Second Isaiah, Daniel, Enoch, Proverbs, Ecclesiasticus and Ecclesiastes. Finally we will examine the Dead Sea Scrolls and question whether or not the literature of the Dead Sea Scrolls was produced by a sect which withdrew to the desert as a response to a crisis in Jerusalem and in expectation of the eschaton.
Name of Lecturer
Prof. Anne Fitzpatrick
How to apply
Applications can be made in person on Thursday, 19th September 2013, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, room 5042, level 5 of the Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 or by post before 19th September 2013.
Fee €150
Cheques/draft/postal money order should be made payable to Trinity College no. 1 account. A concession rate is available to second and third level students, unemployed persons and those in receipt of a social welfare pension.
Date and place
Teaching in the Hilary Term commences the week beginning 13th January 2014. Please note this is a day-time course.
Duration
The course runs for a total of 12 weeks in Hilary Term.
Semester B - Tuesday 10am - 11am in Room 5039, Arts Building and Friday 12pm - 1pm in Room 2042, Arts Building.
Further information
Contact : Sinead Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies, Arts Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2. Phone: 01- 8961451 or email: nmes@tcd.ie
Certificate in Holocaust Education
The Herzog Centre in the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies Holocaust Education Trust Ireland offer a Certificate in Holocaust Education which provide in-depth tuition on the historical significance and contemporary resonance of the Holocaust. This programme provides participants with information, tools and skills to address this subject in their area of work, and to develop pedagogic expertise to complement their knowledge. The programme is divided into four modules, all of which must be completed by participants who wish to attain the certificate.
(Continuous Professional Development) Special Purpose Award at NFQ Level 7 carrying 20 ECTS
This programme is ideally suited for teachers and those involved in community and outreach education.
For further information, contact : Holocaust Education Trust on +353-1-669 0593 or mail: info@hetireland.org
Beginners Arabic for Business and Tourism
This course introduces the student to the basic language skills of Modern Standard Arabic required for travelling and conducting business, as well as providing a guide to contemporary culture in the Middle East.
This course will normally run if there is a minimum of nine students enrolled for the year.
Name of Lecturer
Mr. Ali Selim
Time and Place
Semester A & Semester B - Monday evenings from 6.45 p.m. to 8.45 p.m. in Room 4018, Arts Building.
Duration
24 weeks. Teaching in Michelmas term begins on Monday, 23rd September 2013. Hilary Term commences on Monday, 13th January 2014.
How to Apply
Contact Sinéad Dixon, Department of Near and Middle Eastern Studies.
Tel. (01)8961451 or by E-mail: nmes@tcd.ie
Fee
€480 payable in advance. This fee is non-refundable once the course has commenced. A concession rate is available for €350.