Israel Studies Masters in Israel

 

 

Although Israel was founded only several decades ago, its history is more than enough for several unique and interesting study programs. Since its establishment in 1948 the small and sunny country did not have one dull moment. Wars and conflicts with the Arab world, fair share of excitement during the cold-war era and series of internal debates and disagreements that continue to this very day, make the State of Israel a truly fascinating field of study.

 

Several Israeli universities offer international master's degrees in Israel Studies. The programs include courses regarding Israeli history, society and politics. In additional to theoretical courses, students will also go on field trips in which they will see many historical and religious sites in addition to meeting people and organizations. All courses and activities will be entirely in English.

 

 

 

Most non-thesis programs are designed to be completed in three semesters. If students choose to take a summer semester they can complete the program in a year. Thesis tracks are longer and are designed to be completed in two years.

 

 

* The curriculum includes courses such as:

* Mandatory Palestine 1918 – 1948

* Israeli Film and Literature

* Social and Political History of Israel

* Israeli Citizenship Laws

* Israeli Identity

* News Coverage of Conflicts in Israel

* History of Palestinian Society 1948 – 1967

 

 

 

Candidates who completed their undergraduate studies in humanities or social sciences with a GPA of 80 (3.0) or above may apply for these programs. In cases candidates do not have any academic background regarding Israel (i.e. they did not take any course involving the State of Israel or Judaism as part of their undergraduate studies) they might be asked to take several additional complimentary courses.

 

The international M.A. study programs are in English; however, students are expected to have a basic knowledge of Hebrew and to take Modern Hebrew classes. Furthermore, students who consider completing a thesis must have a sufficient level of Hebrew. Thus, they will have to take a Hebrew proficiency test. It is possible to take classes in Hebrew, Arabic or other languages during the studies.

 

 

Tuition fees vary as each academic institution requires different sum. Students may pay $9,500 - $17,000 for a one year program or approx. $5,000 per year for a two-year program. The sums do not include fees for Hebrew courses.

 

 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem – offers a one year program; the track is very popular as students have the opportunity to live and study at the Israeli capital – visit the Israeli parliament, Supreme Court and the National Archives as well as other political and historical sites.

 

Tel Aviv University – TAU's program gives much attention to the political status of Israel and offers complimentary courses in Diplomacy, International Relations, Middle Eastern Studies and Homeland Security.

 

University of Haifa – offers a fascinating study program that aims to give students a full perspective of past and current Israeli society. The track includes the special "Field Campus", a three-day trip around Israel.

 

Ben Gurion University of the Negev (Be'er Sheva) – offers one-year and two year tracks. The program includes a weekly seminar in Sde Boker, a kibbutz in southern Israel, in which students get to meet different personas in Israeli modern society. The program also includes special workshops in David Ben Gurion's archives (Ben Gurion was the first Prime Minister of Israel) and field trips.