MA in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations in Toronto Canada | University of Toronto

Our academic programs and faculty research cover diverse fields such as: Egyptology, encompassing archaeology, linguistics, historical studies, and religious traditions; Mesopotamian and Near Eastern studies, featuring archaeological investigations and Assyriology; Syro-Palestinian archaeology; Hebrew and Judaic scholarship, including Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew, historical research, and religious studies; Aramaic and Syriac scholarship, covering language, history, and religious traditions; Arabic studies; Islamic studies, including the history of the Islamic world and contemporary Middle East, Islamic art, Persian studies, and Turkish studies, incorporating Ottoman language and historical research.
The Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations was established on July 1, 1996 through the unification of two previously independent departments: Near Eastern Studies (NES) and Middle East and Islamic Studies (MEI). These academic units, under various names, have been part of the University of Toronto for more than 150 years. Our department focuses on the multidisciplinary examination of Near and Middle Eastern civilizations and cultures from the Neolithic era to modern times, including their archaeological heritage, historical development, mythological traditions, religious and philosophical thought, artistic and architectural achievements, and linguistic and literary works (including Akkadian, Ancient Egyptian, Arabic, Aramaic, Coptic, Geez, Hebrew, Persian, Sumerian, Syriac, and Turkish). Our curriculum offers students exceptional opportunities to explore sophisticated non-Western societies and ancient civilizations.