Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

Immerse yourself in a remarkable and complex part of the world.The Middle East and Central Asia, predominately Muslim States and Societies, are rich in history, geographical wonders, political turmoil, and socio-cultural influence.

The Middle East ranges from Turkey and Iran in West Asia to the Arab heartland as far as Morocco in North Africa.

Central Asia is comprised of Afghanistan and the former Muslim republics of the Soviet.They are areas of constant domestic and international interest as events often unfold which have global relevance and significance.This program will take you through the topics, debates and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia.

You will study the socio-cultural, political, historical and economic structures of these regions and develop a comprehensive knowledge of their relationship to global socio-cultural, political and economic trends.To fully engage with the history and culture of the regions, you can also study a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language.

There is also the opportunity to undertake a highly competitive research project through the Australian National Internships Program (ANIP).

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies requires completion of 144 units, of which:

A maximum of 60 units may come from completion of 1000-level courses

The 144 units must include:

24 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:

MEAS1001 Introduction to the Modern Middle East

MEAS1002 Islam: History and Institutions

MEAS3001 Gallipoli: History and National Imagination

MEAS3002 Gender and Culture in Iran and the Middle East

24 units from completion of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies courses from the following list:

ANIP3003 Australian National Internships Program Internship A

BUSI2024 Dynamics of Business in the Middle East

MEAS2000 Iranian History and Culture

MEAS2001 New States of Eurasia: Emerging Issues in Politics and Security

MEAS2002 Turkish History: Ottoman State to Modern Turkey

MEAS2003 Modern Turkey: History, Culture and Regional Relations

MEAS2004 Turkish Politics and Foreign Policy

MEAS2105 The Political Economy of the Middle East

POLS2031 Politics in the Middle East

POLS2069 Politics in Russia

POLS2070 Politics in Central Asia

Either:

48 units from completion of one of the following language majors:

Arabic

Persian

Or:

24 units from completion of one of the following language minors

Arabic

Persian

24 units from completion of one of the following:

an in-country study abroad component/exchange in the same language as the minor

an internship undertaken in the same language as the minor

Or:

24 units from completion of one of the following advanced language minors:

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

24 units from completion of courses from the following majors, minors and courses:

Advanced Arabic Minor

Advanced Persian Minor

ANU Leadership and Research Minor

Applied Linguistics Minor

Arabic Major

Asian Studies Major

Forensic Linguistics Minor

History Major

Human Rights Major

International Communication Major

International Relations Major

Linguistics Major

Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies Major

Persian Major

Political Science Major

Russian Minor

Social Research Methods Minor

TURK1001 Elementary Turkish A

TURK1002 Elementary Turkish B

48 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

Majors

• Arabic
• Asian Studies
• History
• Human Rights
• International Communication
• International Relations
• Linguistics
• Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• Persian
• Political Science

Minors

• Advanced Arabic
• Advanced Persian
• ANU Leadership and Research
• Applied Linguistics
• Arabic
• Forensic Linguistics
• International Relations
• Persian
• Russian
• Social Research Methods

Elective Study

Once you have met the program requirements of your degree, you may have enough electives to complete an additional elective major, minor or specialisation.

Study Options

Year 1 - 48 units

Year 2 - 48 units

Year 3 - 48 units

Admission Requirements

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry.

In line with the university's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors.

Domestic applicants

? School leavers will be assessed on:

• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,

• the co-curricular or service requirement, and

• any program specific requirements that are listed below.

? Non school leavers:

a) will be assessed on:

• the minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirement or equivalent for this program,

b) Non school leavers who:

• complete a recognised Australian (or equivalent) post-secondary qualification, or

• complete one standard full-time year (1.0 FTE) of an Australian (or equivalent) degree qualification, or

• complete an approved tertiary preparation course/program without undertaking any further study,

will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. Non school leavers must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

International applicants

Applicants who complete a recognised secondary/senior secondary/post-secondary/tertiary sequence of study will be assessed on the basis of an equivalent selection rank that is calculated upon application. A list of commonly observed international qualifications and corresponding admission requirements can be found here. Applicants must also meet any program specific requirements that are listed below.

Diversity factors & English language proficiency

As Australia's national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe. If required, competitive ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency.

Adjustment Factors

ANU offers rank adjustments for a number of adjustment factors, including for high achievement in nationally strategic senior secondary subjects and for recognition of difficult circumstances that students face in their studies. Rank adjustments are applied to Bachelor degree applicants with an ATAR at or above 70. Points are awarded in accordance with the approved schedules, and no more than 15 points (maximum 5 subject/performance-based adjustments, maximum 10 equity-based adjustments and maximum 5 Elite Athlete adjustments) will be awarded. Please note that Adjustment Factors vary and do not apply to a select few programs, please visit the ANU Adjustment Factors website for further information.

Scholarships

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the Scholarships website.

1. Understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped the Middle East and Central Asia,
2. Identify and critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of the Middle East and Central Asia,
3. Analyse current debates relating to regional cooperation and unity in the context of tensions in traditions,
4. Analyse the global significance of events and developments in the Middle East and Central Asia, and
5. Communicate in a Middle Eastern or Central Asian language.