The MAMES Program confers upon its graduates a Master of Arts in History from the Department of Middle Eastern and African History, in the Faculty of Humanities, at Tel Aviv University. This is an internationally recognized master’s degree.
In order to complete the requirements of the MAMES Program and to earn the degree, students can opt to follow either the thesis or terminal track (non-thesis track).
It is advisable to decide by the end of the 1st (fall) semester, which track you would like to pursue, although students are not required to notify the program administrator until the end of the 2nd (spring) semester.
Each seminar is worth 4 academic credits; students must earn a total of 32 seminar credits, 18 language credits and pass either a final exam or thesis project in order to complete the program.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THESIS TRACK STUDENTS:
I. Seminar requirements -
Students who intend to complete a thesis project must enroll in 8 graduate seminars (3 of which are core seminars; 4 electives; and 1 required research and methodologies seminar)
For each graduate seminar, a seminar paper must be submitted in order to receive an evaluation.
Thesis-track students are required to submit a total of 2 long papers (7,000 words) and 6 short papers (3,000 words).
At the end of the 2nd (spring) semester, thesis-track students are required to announce their intention to write a thesis. Thesis students must enroll in the Research and Methodologies Seminar that is only offered in the summer. At the end of the Methodologies seminar a completed thesis proposal will be due. If the student changes his or her mind, he/she will have to take the final-written examination (and have completed the reading in preparation of that exam) in order to complete the degree.
In order to qualify for the thesis track, students must have a grade point average of at least 85 in their first semester seminar courses.
II. Language Requirements
Students are required to complete an intensive Hebrew ulpan (summer or winter), unless they are able to prove proficiency in the Hebrew Placement Exam administered in the summer prior to ulpan, as well as during Orientation Week in mid-late October. Students will only be given exemption from Hebrew ulpan if they are able to demonstrate a Hebrew level of "dalet".
Optional Hebrew language course work is available (for an additional fee) in the 1st (fall) and 2nd (spring) semesters.
Students with no previous exposure to the Arabic language are required to complete 3 semesters of introductory Arabic language coursework. Students who have previously completed 3 or more semesters of Arabic language study may earn exemption from the Arabic language requirement via proficiency exam.
Language courses will be credited on a pass/fail basis. Grades from language courses are not factored into your total GPA; only seminar paper evaluations and the thesis evaluation will determine your GPA.
II. Thesis Requirement
The thesis project is to be completed in the 4th (thesis) semester. Students have until May following the conclusion of the thesis semester to submit their final thesis project. (Allows 8 months for completion.)
To learn more about thesis guidelines please click here.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-THESIS TRACK STUDENTS:
I. Seminar requirements
Non-thesis track students must enroll in 8 graduate seminars (3 of which are core seminars; 5 of which are electives).
For each graduate seminar, a seminar paper must be submitted in order to receive an evaluation.
Non-thesis track students are required to submit a total of 3 long papers (7,000 words) and 5 short papers (3,000 words).
II. Language Requirements
Students are required to complete an intensive Hebrew ulpan (summer or winter), unless they are able to prove proficiency in the Hebrew Placement Exam administered in the summer prior to ulpan, as well as during Orientation Week in mid-late October. Students will only be given exemption from Hebrew ulpan if they are able to demonstrate a Hebrew level of "dalet".
Optional Hebrew language course work is available (for an additional fee) in the 1st (fall) and 2nd (spring) semesters.
Students with no previous exposure to the Arabic language are required to complete 3 semesters of introductory Arabic language coursework. Students who have previously completed 3 or more semesters of Arabic language study may earn exemption from the Arabic language requirement via proficiency exam.
Language courses will be credited on a pass/fail basis. Grades from language courses are not factored into your total GPA; only seminar paper evaluations and your final exam score will determine your GPA.
III. Final Examination
At the beginning of the 3rd (summer) semester, non-thesis track students will receive a list of readings upon which they will be examined on the last Friday of the third semester, during a 4-hour in-class exam.
Students will receive a reading list and from this list, students must master the material assigned and prepare for the final-written exam.
Non-thesis track students will only receive the degree after passing the written examination.
FOR ALL STUDENTS:
Please note that grades from language courses are not factored into your total GPA; seminar evaluations and your thesis/final exam will determine your GPA.
MANDATORY EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Throughout the program, lecture and film series will be provided to the MAMES students. Students are required to attend 3 extracurricular lectures per semester (for a total of 9). Students are required to attend 3 extracurricular film screenings per semester (for a total of 9). Attendance will be taken at these events.
* For questions and clarifications, please e-mail Chaya Benyamin, mames@post.tau.ac.il.
