The Department of Oriental Studies is one of the oldest departments of the Faculty of Philology, established in 1973. The department offers BA and MA studies.
The BA and MA programs in Oriental Studies are designed based on the understanding and study of the oriental heritage in the region, as well as the current interactions of the community with the world of the Orient.
Thus, this program is conceived as a fundamental qualification, complemented with subjects that enable qualification in the field of Oriental Studies.
The program offers an equal level of acquisition of theoretical and practical competencies that enable flexible engagement with labor market demands, but also further study.
The core of the curriculum includes linguistics (structure of Arabic, Turkish, and partially Persian languages), the history of Arabic, Turkish-Ottoman, and Persian literatures. The program also incorporates subjects from the history of oriental-Islamic culture and civilization, concepts and methods of linguistic and literary research, theory and practice of texts, and linguistic practice (practical courses in Arabic, Turkish, and Persian).
The program includes lectures in linguistics (structure of Arabic, Turkish-Ottoman, and Persian languages) across eight semesters (3/2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of exercises per week). These lectures primarily address theoretical aspects of phonetics, lexicology, morphology, syntax, and the language of texts in Arabic, Turkish-Ottoman, and Persian languages.
Additionally, in the field of literature, lectures over four semesters provide an overview of Arabic, Turkish, and Persian literatures in a chronological manner, according to the literary periods that characterize these literatures, touching on their intersections since they belong to the same cultural area.
Alongside theoretical knowledge in the BA program, practical courses are included to advance students' linguistic competencies and skills. The practical learning of Arabic and Turkish-Ottoman, as well as familiarity with Persian, is of particular importance, as knowledge of these languages is essential for students' involvement in the labor market and the study/research of our cultural heritage. Students begin their studies without prior knowledge of these languages, and through mandatory and elective courses offered over eight semesters, the goal is to advance knowledge in Arabic and Turkish languages.
Through these courses, students develop the necessary skills for communication (listening, speaking, writing, reading, and vocabulary in Arabic and Turkish-Ottoman languages). The aim of the courses remains the rapid advancement of knowledge.
Efforts have been made to ensure that each subject, with its aim, content, and specific methods, is in line with the general concept of studies. These subjects, cooperating and complementing each other, are aimed at achieving the common educational goals of the studies.

1. What is the importance of studies in the department's programs?

The importance of the BA Oriental Studies program lies in the fact that students who complete their studies in this department have the opportunity to become familiar with the languages and cultures of the peoples of the Islamic Orient, learn about the oriental cultural heritage in the Balkans and the Albanian regions, and will be equipped with knowledge and skills to interpret many cultural and political phenomena related to the Orient.
In addition, students of Oriental Studies can continue their MA studies not only in this Department (Oriental Cultural Studies), but also in departments of history, international relations, Islamic studies, anthropology, etc.
They will also have the opportunity to work as researchers, translators, and in institutions dealing with cultural heritage and tourism.

2. Opportunities and student exchange programs

Students of the Oriental Studies program have numerous opportunities for student exchange programs, such as Erasmus, as well as various programs offered by Turkish institutions, with a number of Oriental Studies students consistently taking advantage of these opportunities to stay for a semester or more.

3. Opportunities for internships in various sectors (companies, academic institutes, political, cultural institutions, etc.)

Students of the Oriental Studies program have the opportunity for internships in sectors related to the nature and field of their studies, such as archives, libraries, and foreign language learning centers.

4. Extracurricular activities (regular conferences, symposiums, roundtables, reading clubs, film clubs, etc.) organized by the department

Throughout the academic year, the Oriental Studies program, together with students, organizes roundtables, discussions, and various activities that encourage and motivate their practical work and prepare them for the labor market.

5. Head and Secretary of the department:

Head of the Department of Oriental Studies: [email protected]
Secretary of the Department of Oriental Studies: [email protected]

6. The Oriental Studies Institute and the "Oriental Studies" journal:

Within the Department of Oriental Studies, the Institute for Oriental Studies ([email protected]) and the journal "Oriental Studies" function.
"Oriental Studies" is a multidisciplinary journal with an international editorial board that deals with the study of cultures, languages, societies of the Middle East, and their presence in the Balkans and Albanian society. The journal publishes original scientific articles and reviews on topics related to the humanities and social sciences, such as:
• The presence of oriental cultural elements in Albanian culture
• The interaction of Albanian culture with the Orient
• Interlinguistic and literary influences
• Architectural heritage
• Islamic tradition, art, culture, and civilization
• Transliterations and transcriptions of original manuscripts and theoretical interpretation, etc.
All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest academic quality standards

MA program - Oriental Cultural Study

BA program_Orientalistics