Middle Eastern Studies

This program is aimed at students wishing to specialize in Middle East issues. It offers an open and multidisciplinary approach to the study of the politics, history, and culture of the region.
The Master in Middle Eastern Studies (MAMO) allows students to deepen and enrich their knowledge of a strategic, promising and vulnerable region, one which is constantly propelled to the forefront of the world stage, where the ever-increasing interconnection between the various actors (states, civil societies, non-state groups, etc.) has a considerable impact on local and regional dynamics. This Master provides the opportunity to study, among other things, social mobilization, the evolution of relations between Arab countries and Israel or Iran, the development of cultural diplomacy in the Gulf and elsewhere, oil revenues or the impact of global crises, such as COVID-19, on the region. The multidisciplinary approach - be it historical, cultural, geopolitical or other - allows students to grasp the various phenomena in their entirety and provides them with the tools to develop their own analytical skills while broadening their knowledge of the region and its people.
These themes will first be introduced as part of the core curriculum; specialized courses, as well as elective courses (at the University of Geneva, the Graduate Institute, and the Universities of Lausanne and Neuchâtel), will allow each student to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the region, while choosing the themes of the courses according to his/her interests. Exchange semesters at universities in the region studied or internships in Geneva and the Middle East will further strengthen the students' skills. Those who wish to do so can also familiarize themselves with Arabic and Armenian during their basic training and improve their knowledge during a stay in the region.