The Institute of Archaeology is the only archaeology department in Israel that offers its students the opportunity to specialize in Islamic Archaeology for both the B.A. and M.A. degrees. The program combines the Institute’s curriculum with courses offered by the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, also located on the Mount Scopus campus.

Students participating in the program during their B.A. studies take courses in the Islamic archaeology of both Israel and neighboring countries, becoming familiar with the main sites and monuments throughout Islamic history from the inception of Islam in the early seventh century through the beginning of the Ottoman period in the sixteenth century. Students are trained in the identification and analysis of Islamic pottery from various excavations. In addition, a variety of courses dealing with Islamic art and culture are available through the Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.