The Programme

The Programme is based on an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the history and culture of the Black Sea and the Easter Mediterranean region. The study and interpretation of the historical and cultural data of these regions, areas of great geopolitical and economic importance, will provide the student with an outstanding opportunity to specialize in a research domain of such significance in our times.

The Black Sea region and the Eastern Mediterranean basin with their special geophysical and cultural characteristics, are gaining significance as a geopolitical link between Europe and Asia. The important natural resources and the crucial position of these regions at the hub of international routes have aroused the interest of many nations over the ages, leading to numerous events of great cultural and historical significance.

The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean constitute two great international gateways, of considerable importance for Europe as well as for Asia and the East. Over the last few decades, research institutions and university departments all over the world have promoted research programmes concentrating on these regions with such rich scientific material.

The MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies provides specialised education in diverse areas of interest such as Archaeology, Ethnography, Historical Geography, Art, Religion, Mythology, Ancient and Modern History, International Relations, Politics, Diplomacy and Economy. The Master’s Programme ‘MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies’ promotes learning and teaching characterized by a diversity of teaching methods.

First Semester

Core Courses

• Historical Geography and Cartography of the Black Sea in Antiquity
• The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Hellenistic Period: The Hellenistic Kingdoms.
• The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Middle Ages
• Hellenism in the Black Sea countries

Second Term

-Archaeology Stream

Stream Elective Courses (4 out of 6)

• Topics in the Prehistoric Archaeology of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean
• Ancient Art and Monumental Topography in the Black Sea
• Ancient Religion and Mythology in the Black Sea
• Historical and Cultural Aspects of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in the Hellenistic and Roman periods
• Topics in Byzantine and Islamic Art in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean
• Excavation

Modern History & Politics Stream

• Where Civilizations Meet. Thessaloniki, Multiculturalism and Port Cities in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.
• The Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean from the 19th until the end of the 20th century
• The Silk Road and the Black Sea/Eastern Mediterranean Region: Classical Geopolitics, Energy and Security Dilemmas in a Historical Perspective
• Political Islam across three Continents
• Mass Violence and Population Transfers in 20th century
• Archival research and Internship in Historical Archives and NGOs

Third Semester

• Dissertation

IHU Educational Archaeological Excavation

Please click here to visit the excavation website

Schedule

The MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies is a 3-semester full-time programme of study. It is taught mainly on weekdays over three-hour teaching periods. The first two semesters cover the core courses of the programme. Each teaching term has 13 teaching weeks followed by a 10-day exam period. The third period is taken up with work on the Master's dissertation.

The programme is also available in part-time mode.

Target audience

The MA is addressed to graduates in Humanities, especially Archaeology, Ancient art history, Ethnography, Ancient and Modern History, Social Anthropology, International Relations, Political Science, and Economics.

Ideal career path

The MA programme offers a critical and multifarious study of the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region, from ancient history and archaeology to art, politics, international relations and modern diplomacy. The graduates develop the competences and the ability to comprehend and discuss works of ancient to comprehend international relations, political, economic and historical data. The skills obtained allow them to work in Educational Institutions and Academies concentrating on Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean region, Archaeological Departments and Research Institutes, Museums as well as the Diplomatic Corps or other state services, corporations or NGOs, which have interests in the Black Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Scholarships

The Ivan Savvidis Charitable Foundation offers one scholarship for the Master of Arts in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies. Please click here for further information/ details→

Programme Announcement

Applications are open!