Ancient Near Eastern Studies (M.A.)

Ancient Near Eastern Studies is a young science that is currently making fundamental new discoveries in many areas in the study of the early advanced civilisations of Mesopotamia and whose material is constantly growing through excavations and decipherments in museums. The study programme in Göttingen focuses in particular on the cultures of the Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians - with a globally unique emphasis on myth research and narrative science (hylistics).

The Master's programme aims to deepen philological and cultural-historical knowledge in the fields of literature, religion, history and mythology, to expand competence in the application of philological-historical, literary-theoretical, religious studies and narrative science (hylistic) methods in order to penetrate complex cultural issues, to independently develop solutions to problems and to acquire the ability to transfer knowledge. At the same time, the programme offers an introduction to current topics in ancient orientalist research and mythology.

The Master's programme "Ancient Near Eastern Studies" can be studied as a combined Master's programme with one or two other subjects. The variety of subjects offered by the Faculty of Humanities opens up numerous combination possibilities. However, connections with subjects from other faculties are also conceivable.

When choosing an individual combination of subjects, personal interest is the first priority, but the admission regulations of the respective subsidiary subjects must be taken into account. A combination with subjects related to content, geography and/or methodology, such as Egyptology or Classical Philology, is just as sensible as a combination with more methodologically oriented subjects, such as Religious Studies, German Studies, Linguistics, Comparative Literature, Digital Humanities, Cultural Anthropology or a combination with subjects that research the medieval and modern Orient, such as Arabic Studies and Iranian Studies. Finally, a combination with subjects with an artistic orientation can also open up interesting perspectives.

The degree of Master of Arts in Ancient Near Eastern Studies qualifies for a subject-related academic career at universities, non-university research institutions, libraries, museums and collections in Germany and abroad. It is an entry requirement for graduate colleges and doctoral programmes. Outside the university or science-related field, qualified activities in journalism, publishing, tourism, foundation management, science management and the arts are the main areas of consideration.