SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE HONOUR SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL STUDIES

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[1] A

[2] 1. The main subjects of the examination in the Honour School of Oriental Studies shall be Arabic, Chinese, Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Hebrew, Japanese, Jewish Studies, Persian, Sanskrit, and Turkish, together with such other subjects as may be determined by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
[3] 2. Every candidate in the examination shall be required to offer one of the main subjects listed above: candidates offering one of the above languages shall also be required to show an adequate knowledge of the literature and history of the civilization concerned, and candidates offering a history subject listed above shall also be required to show an adequate knowledge of the language concerned.
[4] 3. No candidate shall be admitted to examination in this school unless he or she has either passed or been exempted from the First Public Examination.
[5] 4. In the Class List issued by the examiners in the Honour School of Oriental Studies the main subject and (where appropriate) additional language offered by each candidate who obtains Honours shall be indicated.
[6] 5. Any candidate whose name has been placed in the Class List, upon the result of the examination in any one of the subjects mentioned in clause 1, shall be permitted to offer himself or herself for examination in any other of the subjects mentioned in the same clause at the examination in either the next year or the next year but one, provided always that he or she has not exceeded six terms from the date on which he or she first obtained Honours in a Final Honour School, and provided that no such candidate shall offer any of the main subjects already offered by him or her in the School of Oriental Studies.
[7] 6. The examination in this school shall be under the supervision of the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, which shall make regulations concerning it subject always to the preceding clauses of this sub-section.

[8] B

[9] Candidates, except in the case of Arabic, proposing to offer a Special Subject not included in the lists below must obtain the approval of the board both for their subject and for the treatises or documents (if any) which they propose to offer with it.

[10] Except in the case of Arabic, Chinese and Japanese, if the candidate so desires and the board thinks it appropriate, such a Special Subject may be examined in the form of a dissertation.

[11] For the submission of all dissertations, two copies must be sent to the Chairman of Examiners, Honour School of Oriental Studies, c/o Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford, not later than 12 noon on Friday of the tenth week of the Hilary Term preceding the examination. The dissertation must not bear the candidate’s name, but only the examination number. A signed statement that the dissertation is the candidate's own work should be submitted separately in a sealed envelope, to the Chairman of Examiners (forms are available from the Faculty Office, Oriental Institute). Theses previously submitted for the Honour School of Oriental Studies may be resubmitted. No thesis will be accepted if it has already been submitted, wholly or substantially, for another Honour School or degree of this University, or for a degree of any other institution. It is recommended that the dissertation shall not exceed 15,000 words.

[12] All applications for approval by the board must be sent to the Secretary of the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Oriental Institute, on or before the Monday in the second week of the Michaelmas Full Term preceding the examination, and must be accompanied by two copies of a list of the treatises or documents (if any) offered.

[13] All candidates must give notice, on their examination entry forms, of their Special Subjects and choice of books or subjects, where alternatives exist, to the Registrar on or before the Friday in the fourth week of the Michaelmas Full Term preceding the examination. The notice must specify the subject so offered, and, if a subject specially approved by the board, also the treatises or original documents (if any) which it has approved.

[14] Any candidate may be examined viva voce.

[15] The editions of texts specified in the course handbooks are the ones which will be used for the reproduction of material for examination purposes, not necessarily the ones which provide the most useful material for the study of the texts concerned.

[16] For those papers where a selection of unspecified texts is to be examined, the selection of texts will be reported to the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the board at its first meeting in Hilary Term for the examination in the next academic year, and copies of the lists of selected texts will be available for candidates not later than Friday of the third week of the same term in the course handbook.

[17] Oral examinations for Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew (Course II) Japanese, Persian, and Turkish will be held in the week before Trinity Full Term in the year in which the Honour School examination is taken.

[18] Regulations Concerning Individual Subjects

[19] The subjects of the school are arranged below in two sections: (i) main subjects; (ii) additional languages. Within each section subjects are listed in alphabetical order as follows:

[20] [See Table 22]

[21] In addition, candidates may offer Classics either as a main subject or as an additional language in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies.

[22] Candidates offering Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, [From 1 October 2014: Japanese,] Persian or Turkish as their main subject may offer an additional language as specified below; candidates offering Classics or Sanskrit must offer an additional language as specified below; and candidates offering Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies must offer either an additional language or Archaeology and Anthropology as specified below.

[23] Candidates offering Arabic or Turkish or Persian as their main subject will be required to spend a period of at least one academic year on an approved course of language study in the Middle East.

[24] Candidates offering Chinese [From 1 October 2014: or Japanese] [From 1 October 2013: as their main subject] are required to spend a period of at least [Until 1 October 2013: four months] [From 1 October 2013: one academic year] on an approved course of language study in East Asia.

[25] Candidates offering Hebrew shall take one of the following courses:

[26] Course I: Candidates will be examined in accordance with the regulations set out below.

[27] Course II: Candidates will be examined in accordance with the regulations set out below. Candidates offering Hebrew Course II as their main subject will be required to spend a period of at least one academic year on an approved course of study in Israel.

[28] Candidates taking Turkish or Persian with Islamic Art and Archaeology will also be required to participate in one or more approved projects of fieldwork or museum-based study normally to be completed in year 2 in a country within the historic Dār al-Islām.

[29] References to Classics in the following Regulations are to the syllabus in Classics for the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies.

[30] Main Subjects

[31] Arabic

[32] Arabic Handbook. The Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies shall issue annually the Handbook for the Honour Schools of Oriental Studies (Arabic) and Oriental Studies (Arabic with a Subsidiary Language) by Monday of Week 1 of the first Hilary Full Term of candidates' work for the Honour Schools. The Handbook will include, amongst other things, lists of set texts.

[33] Choice and availability of options. It cannot be guaranteed that teaching will be available on all Further and Special Subjects in every academic year. Similarly, the choice of subject for the Thesis will necessarily depend upon availability of a suitable supervisor. Candidates should therefore consult with their tutors about the availability of teaching when selecting their optional and thesis subjects.

[34] Either, for Arabic and Islamic Studies

[35] 1. Arabic unprepared translation into English and comprehension.
[36] 2. Composition in Arabic.
[37] 3. Spoken Arabic*
[38] 4. Arabic literature.
[39] 5. Islamic history, 570-1500.
[40] 6. Islamic religion.
[41] 7. A Further Subject, chosen from the following list:
1. [42] i. adīth
2. [43] ii. Early Islamic monetary history
3. [44] iii. Classical Arabic literary texts
4. [45] iv. The ethos of the jāhilīya in the Muallaqa of Imrual-Qays
5. [46] v. Early Islamic historiography
6. [47] vi. Aspects of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology
7. [48] vii. Muslims and Christians in Sicily, 827-1246
8. [49] viii. The rise of the Sufi orders in the Islamic world, 1200-1500
9. [50] ix. Sufism
10. [51] x. [Until 1 October 2013: al-Ghazālī, Munqidh] [From 1 October 2013: al-Ghazālī]
11. [52] xi. Ibn ufayl, Hayy ibn Yaqāān
12. [53] xii. Ibn al-Arabī, Fuū al-ikam
13. [54] xiii. Religion and politics during the Mongol period
14. [55] xiv. Ottoman State and Society 1566-1700
15. [56] xv. History of the Middle East in the late Ottoman age, 1750-1882
16. [57] xvi. A modern Islamic thinker (e.g. Sayyid Qutb, Mohamed Talbi, Rashid Rida)
17. [58] xvii. Modern Arabic literature
18. [59] xviii. Arabic vernacular literature 1900 to the present day
19. [60] xix. Society and Culture in the Modern Arab World
20. [61] xx. [Until 1 October 2013: History of Jewish-Muslim Relations] [From 1 October 2013: The biography of Mohammad]
21. [62] xxi. A short-term Further Subject, as approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and publicised in the Arabic Handbook.
[63] 8 and 9. A Special Subject (to be examined in two papers), chosen from the following list:
1. [64] i. [Until 1 October 2013: Quranic commentary] [From 1 October 2013: Quran]
2. [65] ii. Themes in classical Arabic literature
3. [66] iii. The transformation of ideas from the jāhilīya to early Islam in early Arabic poetry†
4. [67] iv. Topics in Islamic law
5. [68] v. Learning and culture in Baghdad, 800-900
6. [69] vi. [Until 1 October 2013: The Graeco-Arabic translation movement] [From 1 October 2013: Theology and Philosophy in the Islamic World]
7. [70] [Until 1 October 2013: vii. The rise of kalām
8. [71] viii. The rise of falsafa]
9. [72] ix. [vii.] Medieval Sufi thought
10. [73] x. [viii.] Ibn al-Arabī
11. [74] xi. [ix.] ‘Slave dynasties’ in Islam: from the Ghaznavids to the Mamlūk Sultanate
12. [75] xii. [x.] Royal art and architecture in Norman Sicily
13. [76] xiii. [xi.] Architectural landmarks of the Islamic world
14. [77] xiv. [xii.] Writing Islamic history, 1250-1500: from palaeography to historiography
15. [78] xv. [xiii.] The Ottomans, Islam and the Arab World 1300-1566
16. [79] xvi. [xiv.] History of the Middle East in the age of empire, 1882-1971
17. [80] xvii. [xv.] Arabic linguistics
18. [81] xviii. [xvi.] Themes in Modern Arabic literature
19. [82] xix. [xvii.] Modern Islamic thought in the Middle East
20. [83] xx. [xviii.] Popular culture and mass media, 1930 to the present
21. [84] xxi. [xix.] A Short-Term Special Subject, as approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies and publicised in the Arabic Handbook.
[85] Candidates for all Special Subjects will be examined by means of a timed paper, and by means of an extended essay, which shall not exceed 6,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography), and shall be on a topic or theme selected by the candidate from a question paper published by the examiners on the Friday of the fourth week of Michaelmas Term in the year of examination available for collection from the Oriental Institute Faculty Office. Essays should be typed or word-processed in double-spacing and should conform to the standards of academic presentation prescribed in the "Guidelines for writers of Theses" in the course handbook. Essays (two copies) shall normally be written during the Michaelmas Term in the year of examination and must be delivered by hand to the Examination Schools (addressed to the Chairman of Examiners, Honour School of Oriental Studies, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford) not later than 12 noon on the Friday before the beginning of Hilary Full Term of the year of examination. Candidates delivering essays will be required to complete a receipt form, which will only be accepted as proof of receipt if it is countersigned by a member of the Examination Schools staff. Each essay must be accompanied by a sealed envelope (bearing only the candidate’s examination number) containing a formal declaration signed by the candidate that the essay is his or her own work. The University’s regulations on Late Submission of Work will apply. Any candidate may be examined viva voce.
[86] 10. A thesis.
[87] Submitting the thesis. All candidates must submit two copies of their thesis, addressed to the Chairman of Examiners, Honour School of Oriental Studies, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford, not later than 12 noon on Friday of the tenth week of the Hilary Term preceding the examination. The thesis must not bear the candidate’s name, but only the candidate number. A signed statement that the thesis is the candidate’s own work should be submitted separately in a sealed envelope to the Chairman of Examiners (forms are available from the Faculty Office, Oriental Institute). Theses previously submitted for the Honour School of Oriental Studies may be resubmitted. No thesis will be accepted if it has already been submitted, wholly or substantially, for another Honour School or degree of this University, or for a degree of any other institution.
[88] or, for Arabic with a Subsidiary Language, Papers 1-6 above and [89] 11, 12,and 13.Three papers from one of the following:
[90] Akkadian.
[91] Aramaic and Syriac.
[92] Armenian.
[93] Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies).
[94] Hebrew.
[95] Persian.
[96] Turkish.
[97] 14. An optional thesis to be approved by the Board. See under Arabic and Islamic Studies above for notes concerning the choice and approval of options and the preparation and submission of theses.

[98] Chinese

[99] Either, for Chinese only.

[100] [Until 1 October 2013: The following papers will be set:

[101] 1. Modern Chinese prose composition.
[102] 2. Spoken Chinese*.
[103] 3. Unprepared translation from Modern Chinese.
[104] 4. Classical Chinese I. Translation from and comment on: Zhuangzi 17 (ed. Guo Qingfan, repr. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju 1961); Selected Chinese Poems, ed. Liu (copies are available from the Institute for Chinese Studies).
[105] 5. Classical Chinese II: Narrative Prose. [106] Candidates will be required to translate unprepared passages and passages drawn from: [107] Yangzhou shi ri ji (ed. Yangzhou congke, Yangzhou 1934); Hong Taeyong, Tamhon yon'gi (repr. in Yonhaengnok sonjip, Seoul 1960).
[108] 6. Special texts I. [109] Translation from and comment on texts. The subjects available, together with the relevant texts will be set out in the handbook for the year prior to year of the examinations.
[110] 7. Special texts II. [111] Candidates will be required to answer questions on the texts offered in paper 6, their subject-matter and background.
[112] 8. History of China in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
[113] 9. A dissertation on a subject approved by the Board of the Faculty.
[114] 10. Special language paper. [115] Either Japanese; [116] Or Korean; [117] Or Unprepared translation in the field chosen for Paper 6 except for (d); [118] Or General Linguistics for students of Chinese; [119] Or Chinese with a subsidiary language Papers 1-5, 8, and 9 above and 11, 12, and 13. Three papers in Japanese, Tibetan or Korean.]

[120] [From 1 October 2013: The Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies shall issue the handbook for the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Chinese and Chinese with a subsidiary language) no later than the Monday of first week of the Hilary full-term prior to the year in which candidates shall sit their Final Honour School examinations. The handbook shall include, amongst other information, course details, lists of set texts and regulations regarding the submission of dissertations and long-essays.

[121] All candidates must have fulfilled attendance requirements (as set out in the handbook) on a designated course at Peking University, unless given exemption by the Board of the Faculty.

[122] Either, for Chinese only,

[123] The following papers will be set:

[124] 1. Modern Chinese I.
[125] 2. Modern Chinese II.
[126] 3. Oral.
[127] 4. Classical I.
[128] 5. Classical II.
[129] 6. Modern China.
[130] 7. Dissertation on a subject approved by the Board of the Faculty.
[131] 8. Special Option I: Texts [132] The subjects available together with the relevant texts will be set out in the handbook for the year prior to year of the examinations.
[133] 9. Special Option II: Essays [134] These will be in the same area as that chosen under 8.
[135] 10. Special Option III: Extended Essay [136] This will be in the same area as that chosen under 8 and 9.

[137] Or Chinese with a subsidiary language, Papers 1-7 above and papers 11, 12 and 13 below in Japanese, Korean or Tibetan.

[138] 11. Japanese, Korean or Tibetan Texts (Subsidiary).
[139] 12. Japanese, Korean or Tibetan History and Culture (Subsidiary).
[140] 13. Japanese, Korean or Tibetan Language (Subsidiary).]

[141] Classics

[142] Classics as a main subject is available in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies. It may be taken with Arabic, Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Hebrew, Persian, or Sanskrit as a main or subsidiary subject.

[143] Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies

[144] Either, for Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies with a subsidiary language

[145] The languages which may be offered shall be:

[146] As first language: Akkadian or Egyptian

[147] Candidates offering one of the following as second language (which must be different from the first language):

[148] Akkadian

[149] Egyptian

[150] Coptic

[151] Hittite (may not be available every year)

[152] Sumerian

[153] will be required to offer the following papers:

[154] 1. Translation paper (first language).
[155] 2. Translation paper (second language).
[156] 3, 4. Literary and historical topics including prepared translation from first language.
[157] 5, 6. Literary and historical topics including prepared translation from second language. [158] For papers 4 and 6, in each case four passages from a list of prescribed texts will be set for examination by essay. For each paper, candidates must present a translation of and essay on one passage. Papers should be typed and provided with proper scholarly apparatus. The passages for paper 4 will be assigned in the Oriental Institute at 10 a.m. on Monday of first week in Full Term in the term in which the final examination is to be offered, and must be handed in to the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford no later than 12 noon on Monday of second week. A signed statement that the essay is the candidate's own work should be submitted separately in a sealed envelope bearing his or her candidate number, to the Chairman of examiners (forms are available from the Faculty Office, Oriental Institute). The passages for paper 6 will be assigned in the Oriental Institute at 10 a.m. on Monday of third week in Full Term in the term in which the final examination is to be offered, and must be handed in to the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford no later than 12 noon on Monday of fourth week. Essays should not exceed 3,500 words. A signed statement that the essay is the candidate's own work should be submitted separately in a sealed envelope bearing his or her candidate number, to the Chairman of examiners (forms are available from the Faculty Office, Oriental Institute). [159] Candidates offering one of the following as the second language in the above papers follow the regulations for ‘Additional Languages’ in the Honour School of Oriental Studies: [160] Arabic [161] Aramaic and Syriac [162] Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) [163] Hebrew (Biblical and Rabbinic) [164] Old Iranian. [165] Candidates offering Classics as an Additional Language in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies must offer in place of papers 2, 5 and 6 three subjects in Classics according to the conditions speciﬁed in the syllabus for that School.
[166] 7. A field of concentration to be chosen from a list of topics published at the beginning of Michaelmas Term each year by the Oriental Studies Faculty Board for examination in the following academic year. Candidates may propose their own field of concentration. The choice must be approved by the Board in each case.
[167] 8. Selected Egyptian and/or Ancient Near Eastern artefacts together with essay questions on material culture.
[168] 9. General paper, including questions on Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies today.
[169] 10. A dissertation on a topic to be approved by the Faculty Board, of a different character from that chosen for paper 7.
[170] 11. Egyptian art and architecture. This paper is optional and may be taken in substitution for 7. or 10. above. Selection of this paper is subject to approval by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Or, for Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies with Archaeology and Anthropology, candidates will be required to offer papers 1, 3-4, and 7-10 above, and the following papers:
[171] 12. Anthropological theory and archaeological enquiry.
[172] 13. Urbanisation and change in complex societies: comparative approaches or The Archaeology of Neolithic-Bronze Age South-West Asia.
[173] 14. Social analysis and interpretation or Cultural representations, beliefs and practices.

[174] All candidates will be required to undertake a course of practical work, including laboratory work.

[175] Candidates will be assessed, at the end of the sixth term from matriculation, on their practical ability, under the provisions for Honour Moderations in Archaeology and Anthropology.

[176] Candidates will be required to take part in approved fieldwork as an integral part of their course. The fieldwork requirement will normally have been discharged before the Long Vacation of six terms from matriculation.

[177] Hebrew

[178] Either, for Hebrew only,

[179] Candidates for Course I will be required to offer seven papers and a dissertation. Candidates for Course II will be required to offer seven papers and a dissertation, and an oral examination. They will be expected to carry out during their year abroad such work as the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies may require.

[180] 1. (for Course I): Hebrew composition and unprepared translation. [181] (for Course II): Essay in modern Hebrew and unprepared translation.
[182] 2. Prepared texts I: Biblical texts (lists of texts are available in the course handbook).
[183] 3. Prepared texts II: Rabbinic and Medieval Hebrew texts (lists of texts are available in the course handbook).
[184] 4. Prepared texts III: Modern Hebrew literature (lists of texts are available in the course handbook).
[185] 5. General paper; language, history, religion, and culture.
[186] 6. Prepared texts IV: [187] (a) Jewish Aramaic and either (b) Biblical Hebrew or (c) Rabbinic and Medieval Hebrew or (d) Modern Hebrew (lists of texts are availablein the course handbook). [188] 7. One of the papers in Jewish Studies paper b. [189] 8. Candidates who so desire may offer any special subject as may be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. Applications for the approval of options must be submitted to the Board not later than Monday of the second week of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination. [190] 9. (for Course II) Spoken Hebrew.*

[191] Or, for Hebrew with a subsidiary language, Papers 1-5 above, and three papers from one of the following additional subjects: Akkadian, Arabic, Aramaic and Syriac, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Egyptology. Candidates who so desire may offer a special subject as specified in 8.

[192] Japanese

[193] [Until 1 October 2014: The following papers will be set:

[194] Either, for Japanese only,

[195] 1. Japanese prose composition.
[196] 2. Japanese unprepared translation I: classical and modern literature (there will be one compulsory classical question).
[197] 3. Japanese unprepared translation II: modern non-fiction.
[198] 4. Spoken Japanese.*
[199] 5. Special Texts 1. Translation from texts in any one of the following sections:
1. [200] (a) Classical literature
2. [201] (b) Theatre
3. [202] (c) Modern literature
4. [203] (d) Politics
5. [204] (e) Society and social history
6. [205] (f) Economics
7. [206] (g) Linguistics
[207] Lists of the texts specified will be available in the course handbook.
[208] 6. Special texts II. Essay questions on the background to the texts studied under 5 above.
[209] 7. General questions.
[210] 8. A special subject from among the following, or such other special subject as may be approved by the Board of the Faculty:
1. [211] (a) Japanese art.
2. [212] (b) Japanese history I: to 1185.
3. [213] (c) Japanese history II: feudal Japan.
4. [214] (d) Japanese history III: the emergence of modern Japan, 1868-1972.
5. [215] (e) The government and politics of Japan.
6. [216] (f) The intellectual history of the Tokugawa period.
7. [217] (g) The history of Japanese literature to the end of the Tokugawa period.
8. [218] (h) The history of modern Japanese literature (from the beginning of the Meiji period).
9. [219] (i) Modern Japanese economic history.
10. [220] (j) The modern Japanese economy.
11. [221] (k) Japanese theatre.
12. [222] (l) Classical Chinese.
13. [223] (m) Modern Chinese.
14. [224] (n) Japanese Linguistics.
15. [225] (o) Korean Language.
16. [226] (p) Korean History I: to 1392.
17. [227] (q) Korean History II: 1392 to 1876.
18. [228] (r) Korean History III: 1876 to the present.
[229] Note: Options in the history of Japanese-Korean relations may be available, by arrangement with the University Lecturer in Korean History.
[230] 9. A dissertation on a subject approved by the Board of the Faculty. Or, for Japanese with a subsidiary language, Papers 1, 4-6, and 9 above; and
[231] 10. One paper in Japanese: Unprepared translation; and
[232] 11., 12., and 13. Three papers in Chinese, Korean or Tibetan.]

[233] [From 1 October 2014: The Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies shall issue the handbook for the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Japanese and Japanese with a subsidiary language) no later than the Monday of first week of the Hilary Full Term prior to the year in which candidates shall sit their Final Honour School examinations. The handbook shall include, amongst other information, course details, lists of set texts and regulations regarding the submission of dissertations and long-essays.

[234] All candidates must have fulfilled attendance requirements (as set out in the handbook) on a designated course at an agreed University, unless given exemption by the Board of the Faculty.

[235] Either, for Japanese only,

[236] The following papers will be set:

[237] 1. Modern Japanese I.
[238] 2. Modern Japanese II.
[239] 3. Spoken Japanese.*
[240] 4. Classical Japanese.
[241] 5. Dissertation on a subject approved by the Board of the Faculty.
[242] 6. Special text option I.†
[243] 7. Special subject option I.†
[244] 8. Special text option II.†
[245] 9. Special subject option II.†
[246] 10. Either Special Text option III or Special subject option III.†

[247] Or, for Japanese with a subsidiary language, Papers 1-7 above and papers 11, 12 and 13 below in Chinese, Korean or Tibetan.

[248] 11. Chinese, Korean or Tibetan Texts (Subsidiary).
[249] 12. Chinese, Korean or Tibetan History and Culture (Subsidiary).
[250] 13. Chinese, Korean or Tibetan Language (Subsidiary).]

[251] Jewish Studies

[252] The following papers will be set.

[253] a. Jewish History, Religion and Culture [254] b. Five of the following, of which at least one must be chosen from each of sections I, II, and III. At least two must be chosen from papers which require study of set texts in the original language. Not more than one paper may be chosen from section V.

[255] Section I
1. [256] (a) Biblical History1
2. [257] (b) Biblical Archaeology
3. [258] (c) Biblical Narrative1
4. [259] (d) Biblical Prophecy1
[260] Section II
1. [261] (e) Second Temple Judaism1
2. [262] (f) Second Temple History
3. [263] (g) History of the Talmudic Period
4. [264] (h) Medieval Jewish History1
5. [265] (i) Jewish Aramaic Literature1, 2
[266] Section III
1. [267] (j) Haskalah1
2. [268] (k) Modern Jewish Society
3. [269] (l) State of Israel
4. [270] (m) Modern Hebrew Literature1
5. [271] (n) Yiddish Literature1, 2
[272] Section IV
1. [273] (o) History of Jewish-Christian Relations
2. [274] (p) History of Jewish-Muslim Relations
3. [275] (q) History of Jewish Bible Interpretation1
4. [276] (r) Hebrew Texts for Jewish Studies1
[277] Section V
1. [278] (s) Biblical Religion
2. [279] (t) Medieval Jewish Thought1
3. [280] (u) Modern Jewish History
4. [281] (v) Modern Judaism

[282] Papers in section V will be examined in the form of two essays (one compulsory, the other from a choice of two) not exceeding 5,000 words in total. The subjects will be assigned in the Oriental Institute at 10 a.m. on Monday of second week in the term in which the final examination is to be offered, and must be handed in to the Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford no later than 12 noon on Monday of third week. A signed statement that the essays are the candidate's own work should be submitted separately in a sealed envelope bearing his or her candidate number, to the Chairman of Examiners (forms are available from the Faculty Office, Oriental Institute).

[283] c. A dissertation (see the regulations for dissertations set out under B, SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE HONOUR SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL STUDIES).

[284] Special subjects may be offered subject to the approval of the Oriental Studies Board.

[285] Some options may not be available in every year.

[286] Candidates may obtain from the Oriental Institute information about which options may be offered for examination the first Monday of Michaelmas Full Term of the academic year preceding that in which the papers will be set.

[287] Applications for the approval of options must be submitted not later than Monday of the second week of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination.

[288] Persian

[289] Candidates taking Persian with Islamic Art and Archaeology will be required to have satisfied the faculty board, by means of written testimonials and a written report upon the project(s) completed in Year 2, as to their active and useful participation in the approved project(s).

[290] The following papers will be set. Candidates will be required to offer nine papers.

[291] Either, for Persian with a subsidiary language,

[292] 1. Persian prose composition and unprepared translation.
[293] 2. Spoken Persian.*
[294] 3., 4., and 5. Three papers from the following:
1. [295] (a) Classical Poetry: Lyric Genres
2. [296] (b) Classical Poetry: Narrative Genres
3. [297] (c) Classical Prose
4. [298] (d) Modern Literature
5. [299] (e) Modern social and political writing
[300] Lists of texts are available in the course handbook.
[301] 6. General questions: the transition from Sasanian to Islamic Persia (up to the tenth century ad); or one of the options (i), (ii) or (iii) in papers 11 and 12 below.
[302] 7. A special subject, to be approved by the Board of the Faulty of Oriental Studies.
[303] 8., 9., and 10. Subsidiary language. Three papers on one of the following languages: [304] Arabic, Armenian, Old Iranian, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies)and Turkish. [305] or, for Persian with Islamic Studies/History, Papers 1-7 above and
[306] 11. and 12. Two papers from the following:
1. [307] (i) Iranian history from 1501 to 1722.
2. [308] (ii) Iranian history from the rise of the Qajars to the end of the Constitutional Revolution.
3. [309] (iii) Iranian history from 1921 to 1979.
4. [310] (iv) The development of Shi’ism up to the late nineteenth century.
5. [311] (v) Modern Shi'ism.
6. [312] (vi) Any one paper under 7 ii, v-ix, xiii-xv, xix and xx of the syllabus for Arabic and Islamic Studies.
[313] 13. A further special subject, to be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

[314] Applications for the approval of options in papers, 6, 10, 11, and 12 must be submitted not later than Monday of the second week of the Michaelmas Term preceding the examination.

[315] or, for Persian with Islamic Art and Archaeology, candidates shall be required to offer nine papers.

[316] 1. Persian prose composition and unprepared translation.
[317] 2. Spoken Persian.
[318] 3. and 4. Two papers from the following:
1. [319] (a) Classical poetry.
2. [320] (b) Classical prose.
3. [321] (c) Selected modern texts.
[322] 5. Architecture and arts of the court in the Islamic world.
[323] 6. and 7. [Until 1 October 2013: Aspects of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology] [From 1 October 2013: Eastern Islamic world: topics in art and architecture, circa 1000-1700], to be examined by means of a timed paper, and by means of an extended essay, which shall not exceed 6,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography), and shall be on a topic or theme selected by the candidate from a question paper published by the examiners on or before the Friday of the fourth week of Michaelmas Term in the year of examination available for collection from the Oriental Institute Faculty Office. Essays should be typed or word-processed in double-spacing and should conform to the standards of academic presentation prescribed in the “Guidelines for Writers of Theses” in the course handbook. Essays shall normally be written during the Michaelmas Term in the year of examination and must be delivered by hand to the Examination Schools (addressed to the Chairman of Examiners, Honour School of Oriental Studies, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford) not later than 12 noon on the Friday before the beginning of Hilary Full Term of the year of examination. Candidates delivering essays will be required to complete a receipt form, which will only be accepted as proof of receipt if it is countersigned by a member of the Examination Schools staff. The essay must be accompanied by a sealed envelope (bearing only the candidate’s examination number) containing a formal declaration signed by the candidate that the essay is his or her own work. The University’s regulations on Late Submission of Work apply. Any candidate may be examined viva voce.
[324] 8. One paper in history under 11 and 12 of the syllabus for Persian with Islamic Studies/History, except 7 vi of the syllabus for Arabic and Islamic Studies, [Until 1 October 2013: Early Islamic art and archaeology, 550 -1250.] [From 1 October 2013: Aspects of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology.]
[325] 9. Thesis. [326] Some options and special subjects may not be available in every year. Candidates may obtain from the Oriental Institute information about which options may be offered for examination the following year at the beginning of Trinity Term of the preceding year. [327] Applications for the approval of options in paper 8 and of the special subjects in paper 9 must be submitted to the Oriental Studies Board by Monday of the second week of Michaelmas Term preceding the examination.

[328] Sanskrit

[329] The following papers will be set:

[330] 1. Sanskrit unprepared translation.
[331] 2. Essay questions on the history of classical Indian literature and civilization. [332] This paper may include questions on the visual arts in ancient India.
[333] 3. Indian linguistics. [334] Candidates will be examined on their general knowledge and understanding of vyākaraa śāstra, with particular reference to Pāini, Aādhyāyi (ed. Böhtlingk, 1,1,1-1,3,16; 1,4-2,2 (inclusive); and 3,1,91-132).
[335] 4. For candidates offering Hindi, Old Iranian, Pali, Prakrit, or Tibetan as additional language: The historical philology of Old Indo-Aryan, with particular reference to:
1. [336] (a) Selected sūktas from the g Veda (ed. Müller). A list of sūktas is available in the course handbook.
2. [337] (b) Selected passages of prose from the Yajurveda Samhitâ and Brahmanas, and from the early Upanisads. A list of passages is available in the course handbook. [338] For papers 5 and 6, two papers in a chosen area of Sanskrit studies approved by the Board of the Faculty. Applications for approval must be submitted by the Monday of the sixth week of the Trinity Term of the academic year preceding the examination. (Note: These papers are intended to allow candidates to specialise in a particular area of Sanskrit studies such as kāvya, dharmaśāstra, philosophy, grammar, or religion.)
[339] 5. Unprepared translation from Sanskrit texts.
[340] 6. Essay questions on the chosen area.
[341] 7. A special subject from among the following, or such other special subjects as may be approved by the board of the faculty:
1. [342] (a) Comparative grammar of Sanskrit and Old Iranian.
2. [343] (b) Indian art and archaeology.
3. [344] (c) Composition in Sanskrit prose and/or verse.
4. [345] (d) Practical criticism and appreciation, including translation from the Sanskrit.
Either
[346] 8. and 9. Two papers on one of the following additional languages: Hindi, Old Iranian, Pali, Prakrit, Tibetan.
[347] Or 8, 9, 10. Three papers on Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) as an additional language.

[348] Turkish

[349] Turkish Handbook. The Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies shall issue annually the Handbook for the Honour Schools of Oriental Studies (Turkish, Turkish with a Subsidiary Language, and Turkish with Islamic Art and Archaeology) by Monday of Week 1 of the first Hilary Term of candidates’ work for the Honour School. The Handbook will include, amongst other things, lists of the set texts prescribed for particular papers.

[350] Candidates for entry to the Final Honour School of Turkish with Islamic Art and Archaeology will be required to have satisfied the faculty board, by means of written testimonials and a written report on the project(s) completed in Year 2, as to their active and useful participation in the approved project(s).

[351] The following papers will be set:

[352] Either, for Turkish only,

[353] 1. Unprepared translation from Ottoman and modern Turkish.
[354] 2. Translation into Turkish and essay in Turkish.
[355] 3. Spoken Turkish.*
[356] 4. Ottoman historical texts.
[357] 5. Turkish political and cultural texts, 1860 to the present.
[358] 6. Modern Turkish literary texts.
[359] 7, 8, 9. Three papers from the following:
1. [360] (a) Turkish and Ottoman literary texts, 1300–1900.
2. [361] (b) Turkish literature: general questions. (Only available to candidates taking option (a).)
3. [362] (c) Turkish language reform and language politics from 1850 to the present day.
4. [363] (d) Islamic History, 570–1500.
5. [364] (e) The Ottoman Empire, 1300–1566.
6. [365] (f) The Ottoman Empire, 1566–1807.
7. [366] (g) The Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey, 1807–1980.
8. [367] (h) Any one paper under 7 ii, v–ix, xiii, xv, xix and xx of the syllabus for Arabic and Islamic Studies.
[368] 10. A special subject, to be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

[369] or, for Turkish with a subsidiary language, Papers 1-6 above and

[370] 7, 8, 9. Three papers on one of the following languages: Arabic, Armenian, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Persian.

[371] 10. An optional special subject, to be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Oriental Studies. [372] or, for Turkish with Islamic Art and Archaeology, candidates will be required to offer nine papers.
1. [373] 1. Turkish prose composition and unprepared translation.
2. [374] 2. Spoken Turkish.†
3. [375] 3. Ottoman texts.
4. [376] 4. Modern Turkish texts.
5. [377] 5. Architecture and arts of the court in the Islamic world.
6. [378] 6. and 7. [Until 1 October 2013: Aspects of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology] [From 1 October 2013: Eastern Islamic world: topics in art and architecture, circa 1000-1700], to be examined by means of a timed paper , and by means of an extended essay, which shall not exceed 6,000 words (including footnotes but excluding bibliography), and shall be on a topic or theme selected by the candidate from a question paper published by the examiners on or before the Friday of the fourth week of Michaelmas Term in the year of examination available for collection from the Oriental Institute Faculty Office. Essays should be typed or word-processed in double-spacing and should conform to the standards of academic presentation prescribed in the “Guidelines for Writers of Theses” in the course handbook. Essays shall normally be written during the Michaelmas Term in the year of examination and must be delivered by hand to the Examination Schools (addressed to the Chairman of Examiners, Honour School of Oriental Studies, Examination Schools, High Street, Oxford) not later than 12 noon on the Friday before the beginning of Hilary Full Term of the year of examination. Candidates delivering essays will be required to complete a receipt form, which will only be accepted as proof of receipt if it is countersigned by a member of the Examination Schools staff. The essay must be accompanied by a sealed envelope (bearing only the candidate’s examination number) containing a formal declaration signed by the candidate that the essay is his or her own work. The University’s regulations on Late Submission of Work apply. Any candidate may be examined viva voce.
7. [379] 8. One paper in history under 7, 8, 9 of the syllabus for Turkish, except 7vi of the syllabus for Arabic and Islamic Studies, [Until 1 October 2013: Early Islamic art and archaeology, 550–1250.] [From 1 October 2013: Aspects of Islamic art, architecture and archaeology.]
8. [380] 9. Thesis.

[381] Additional Languages

[382] Akkadian (for candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies)or Hebrew as main subject).

[383] The following papers will be set:

[384] 1, 2, 3 = Papers 2, 5, and 6 as specified for Akkadian in the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies). (Instead of either paper 5 or paper 6, candidates may offer one of papers 7, 9 or 10 as specified for the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies).

[385] Arabic (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish as main subject).

[386] The following papers will be set:

[387] 1. Arabic prose composition and unprepared translation.
[388] 2. Additional Arabic: literary texts. [389] Selected classical and modern Arabic prose texts (lists available in the course handbook).
[390] 3. Additional Arabic: Islamic texts. [391] Selected Arabic religious texts (list available in the course handbook). [392] Papers 2 and 3 may contain general and linguistic questions.

[393] Aramaic and Syriac (for candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Hebrew or Persian as main subject).

[394] The following papers will be set:

[395] 1. Syriac prose composition and Aramaic and Syriac unprepared translation.
[396] 2. Aramaic prepared texts.*
[397] 3. Syriac prepared texts.* [398] Papers 2 and 3 may contain general and grammatical questions.

[399] Armenian

[400] The following papers will be set:

[401] either

[402] A. Classical Armenian†

[403] 1. Classical Armenian prose composition and unprepared translation.
[404] 2. Prepared religious texts*
[405] 3. Prepared historical and other texts*

[406] or

[407] B. Modern Armenian‡

[408] 1. Modern Armenian prose composition and unprepared translation.
[409] 2. Prepared texts from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries*
[410] 3. Prepared texts from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries*.

[411] Papers 2 and 3 will include questions on the subject-matter and grammar of the texts offered, and Paper 3 will also include questions on Armenian language, literature, and history.

[412] Chinese (for candidates offering Japanese as main subject)

[413] The following papers will be set:

[414] 1. Chinese Prescribed Texts. (Lists of texts will be available in the course handbook.)
[415] 2. Either (a) Unprepared translation and prose composition, or (b) Classical Chinese. (Texts will be as prescribed for paper 3, ‘Classical texts’ of Moderations in Oriental Studies (Chinese).)
[416] 3. History and Culture of China.

[417] Coptic (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) or Egyptology as main subject).

[418] The following papers will be set:

[419] 1. Coptic unprepared translation and grammar.
[420] 2. Prepared texts I*
[421] 3. Prepared texts II, with general questions*

[422] Egyptology (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) or Hebrew as main subject).

[423] The following papers will be set:

[424] 1, 2, 3 = Papers 2, 5, and 6 as specified for Egyptian in the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies). (Instead of either paper 5 or paper 6, candidates may offer one of papers 7, 9 or 10 as specified for the Honour School of Oriental Studies (Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies).

[425] Hebrew (for candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) or Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies as main subject).

[426] Candidates taking Arabic may offer either (a) Biblical and Rabbinic or (b) Medieval or (c) Modern Hebrew. Candidates taking Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) may offer either (a) Biblical and Rabbinic or (b) Medieval Hebrew. Candidates taking Egyptology may offer only Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew. Biblical texts will be set from Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia (ed. Elliger and Rudolph).

[427] The following papers will be set:

[428] (a) Biblical and Rabbinic Hebrew:
[429] 1. Prose composition and unprepared translation.
[430] 2. Prepared texts I: Biblical texts*
[431] 3. Prepared texts II: Biblical and Rabbinic texts* [432] Papers 2 and 3 may contain general and grammatical questions. [433] (b) Medieval Hebrew:
[434] 1. Unprepared translation.
[435] 2. Prepared texts I*
[436] 3. Prepared texts II* [437] Papers 2 and 3 may contain general and grammatical questions.
[438] (c) Modern Hebrew:
[439] 1. Prose composition and unprepared translation.
[440] 2. Prepared texts I*
[441] 3. Prepared texts II*

[442] Papers 2 and 3 may contain general and grammatical questions.

[443] Hindi (for candidates offering Sanskrit as main subject)

[444] The following papers will be set:

[445] 1. Hindi unprepared translation.
[446] 2. Prepared texts, with questions on Hindi language and literature.

[447] Japanese (for candidates offering Chinese as main subject)

[448] The following papers will be set:

[449] 1. Japanese Prescribed Texts.*
[450] 2. Either Unprepared translation, Prose Composition, and Grammatical Questions, or any Special Subject set for paper 8 of the syllabus in Japanese only [see the list of Special Subjects for Paper 8 set out under SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR THE HONOUR SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL STUDIES, REGULATIONS CONCERNING INDIVIDUAL SUBJECTS, MAIN SUBJECTS, Japanese, Japanese only]
[451] 3. Essay questions on Japanese Culture.

[452] Korean (for candidates offering Chinese and Japanese as main subject)

[453] The following papers will be set:

[454] 1. Prescribed Texts.*
[455] 2. Essay questions on Korean Culture.
[456] 3. Unprepared translation, Prose Composition, and Grammatical Questions.

[457] Old Iranian (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies or Persian as main subject).

[458] The following papers will be set:

[459] 1. Avestan Texts*
[460] 2. (i) Old Persian texts*
1. [461] (ii) either (a) Questions on the content of the Old Persian texts and their historical background or (b) Questions on the history of the Persian language.
[462] 3. Questions on Avestan and Old Persian language, and on pre-Islamic Iranian history, religion, and literature.

[463] Old Iranian (for candidates offering Sanskrit as main subject).

[464] The following papers will be set:

[465] 1. Old Persian and Avestan Texts*
[466] 2. Questions on Old Persian and Avestan language and literature, and on the religious and historical background to the texts studied for Paper 1.

[467] Pali (for candidates offering Sanskrit as main subject).

[468] The following papers will be set:

[469] 1. Pali unprepared translation.
[470] 2. Questions on Pali language and literature, on Theravāda Buddhist doctrine, and on the early history of Buddhism in South Asia.

[471] Pali (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) as main subject).

[472] The following papers will be set:

[473] 1. Pali unprepared translation.
[474] 2. Questions on Pali language and literature, on Theravāda Buddhist doctrine, and on the early history of Buddhism in South Asia.
[475] 3. Prepared texts, with questions on contents.

[476] Persian (for candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) or Turkish as main subject).

[477] The following papers will be set:

[478] 1. Persian prose composition and unprepared translation. 2 and 3. Two papers from the following:
1. [479] (a) Classical Poetry.
2. [480] (b) Classical Prose.
3. [481] (c) Modern Literature.
4. [482] (d) Modern social and political writing.*

[483] Prakrit (for candidates offering Sanskrit as main subject).

[484] The following papers will be set:

[485] 1. Prakrit unprepared translation.
[486] 2. Questions on Prakrit language and literature and on the doctrine and early history of the Jains.

[487] Sanskrit (for candidates offering Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) as main subject.)

[488] The following papers will be set:

[489] 1. Sanskrit unprepared translation.
[490] 2. Questions on Sanskrit language and literature.
[491] 3. Prepared texts.

[492] Tibetan (for candidates offering Chinese or Japanese as main subject)

[493] 1. Tibetan prose composition and unprepared translation.
[494] 2. Prepared texts, with questions.*
[495] 3. Questions on Tibetan culture and history.

[496] Tibetan (for candidates offering Sanskrit as main subject).

[497] The following papers will be set:

[498] 1. Tibetan prose composition and unprepared translation.
[499] 2. Prepared texts, with questions on Tibetan culture and history.

[500] Turkish (for candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies) or Persian as main subject).

[501] The following papers will be set:

[502] 1. Turkish prose composition and unprepared translation.
[503] 2. Either (a) Additional Turkish: Late Ottoman and modern Turkish literary texts*

[504] Or (b) Additional Turkish: Modern Turkish literary texts:*

[505] Either (a) Additional Turkish: Political and cultural texts, 1860 to the present.*

[506] Or (b) Additional Turkish: Political and cultural texts, 1920 to the present.*

Table 22
Main Subjects	Additional Languages
[507] Arabic	Akkadian	Egyptology
[508] Chinese	Arabic	Hebrew
[509] Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies	Aramaic and Syriac	Hindi
[510] Hebrew	Armenian	Hittite
[511] Japanese	Chinese	Japanese
[512] Jewish Studies	Coptic	Korean
[513] Persian	Persian	Old Iranian
[514] Sanskrit	Prakrit	Pali
[515] Turkish	Sanskrit	Tibetan
[516]	Sumerian	Turkish

[517]

* Details of the oral examination and of the areas in which candidates will be expected to show competence are provided in the examination conventions and in the handbook.

[From 1 October 2014: † Available options will be published in the course handbook.]

† Only available to candidates who have taken the Further Subject ‘iv. The ethos of the jāhilīya in the Muallaqa of Imru

al-Qays’.

1 List of texts in the course handbook.

2 These courses are available only to students with adequate knowledge of the relevant language.

† Lists of texts are available in the course handbook.

† For candidates offering Arabic, Classics (in the Honour School of Classics and Oriental Studies), Persian or Turkish as main subject.

‡ For candidates offering Arabic, Persian or Turkish as main subject.

* Lists of texts are available in the course handbook.