Institute of Middle Eastern Studies

Middle Eastern Studies is a non-denominational, historical, cultural, and regional science based on philology. It combines a thorough knowledge of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian with a sound historical understanding of the Islamic Middle East and various approaches from the humanities and social sciences. It deals with the cultures and societies of North Africa, the Middle East, and South-Eastern Europe, where these languages are used to this day, with a focus on the modern era.

Students learn philological, historical, and literary methods and draw inspirations from related fields in the humanities and social sciences. Basic knowledge in these areas can be acquired in the BA programme in Middle Eastern Studies (75%, 50%, 25%). For further academic qualification, the MA in Middle Eastern Studies and the MA in Near Eastern Studies (in cooperation with the Heidelberg University of Jewish Studies) are offered.

At the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, we are dedicated to broad and interdisciplinary research on various historical and cultural aspects of the Islamic world. Our focus is on researching the Ottoman Empire, Mughal India, the Mamluk world, and the interactions between these empires and their surroundings. In addition, our research also examines the dynamic changes of the 19th and 20th centuries.