This course allows students to gain an in-depth understanding of a large region that is of central importance in the contemporary world. This course takes into account the fact that the study of the Middle East has grown into a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural academic phenomenon, attracting strong interest for political, cultural and social reasons. It takes on board academic developments in fields such as globalisation, cultural identity, diaspora and migration studies, gender studies, and post-colonial studies all of which are based on techniques in the analysis of evidence across several Middle eastern languages, and uses original sources in English translation as well as secondary sources in English. The interplay of disciplines and skills involved in achieving a balanced view of the history, literatures, cultures, and religions of the Middle East is broad and complex. Language skills are useful in achieving an advanced understanding of this balanced view, but not the only route. This degree programme therefore allows the study of language(s) up to level 2, but does not make language study compulsory. Furthermore the course equips students, through core course units and a wide range of optional course units, with the ability to acquire a thorough and sufficiently specific, but language-independent understanding of the Middle East, alongside key contemporary methods in the study of culture, religion, literature and history.  Unlike most programmes within the Department of Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, this degree course does not presuppose a particularly strong linguistic talent in an applicant, and thus removes one traditional hurdle for students with an otherwise strong and developed interest in the Middle East. However, if you do choose to try out some optional language learning, your study will be supported by the multi-media facilities of the Language Centre, whose staff can also put you in touch with students who are native speakers of Middle Eastern languages. Multi-cultural Manchester has various communities with a Middle Eastern background and provides excellent general opportunities for the pursuit of Middle Eastern cultural interests outside the University (e.g. public lectures, societies, cultural events etc.). A final-year dissertation allows students to bring to bear their acquired knowledge and skills in writing a substantial, independently-researched piece of their own choice, with a sustained focus. This gives you the opportunity to apply and demonstrate the transferable skills you have acquired in research, analysis and advanced writing skills, which is attractive to future employers. Programmes are assessed in various ways: examinations, oral examinations (where language study is part of your degree), presentations and coursework. Coursework may include library research, linguistic fieldwork and data collection, or web-based research. Many courses are assessed through a mixture of techniques. In your final year, you can choose to write a dissertation.