Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Minor

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Program Description

The Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies minor (MEI) provides students with a multidisciplinary concentration of courses incorporating the fields of Arabic, Islam, and Middle Eastern history, religion, and politics.  The minor is geographically focused on what today forms the Arab world, Iran, Israel, and Turkey in the period after the advent of Islam in the seventh century.  Students have the opportunity to acquire a depth of knowledge in a region and a faith rich in language, culture and religious practice, which are as central to the dynamics of history as they are to current political and economic affairs.  

Admission Requirements 

The minor is open to any enrolled student.  

Learning Outcomes 

The Minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies provides students with a multidisciplinary education in Arabic, Islam and Middle Eastern history, culture, and politics. Students will acquire a depth of knowledge of a region of the world that has been of great significance throughout history and remains important to global affairs. The multidisciplinary approach to this minor will strengthen the foreign-language proficiency and critical thinking and writing skills of students, two credentials that will enhance their employment opportunities in a global market.

For additional information

• Middle East and Islamic Studies Minor
• School of Humanities and Cultural Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

Required Classes 15 credit hours

• ARA 2010 /2020 (6 credits)1 and 2
• REL 3310 “Introduction to Islam” (3 credits):  
• One course from HST (3 credits)
• One course PLS (3 credits)

1 Native speakers of Arabic are required to take two ARA 3000- or 4000-level courses in lieu of ARA 2010 and 2020 

2 Students must meet language and course prerequisites

Electives 2 additional courses

• AFS 3990 - Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 3110 - Arabic Conversation I Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 3120 - Levantine Arabic Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 3210 - Advanced Arabic Syntax and Grammar I Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 3220 - Advanced Arabic Syntax and Grammar II Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 3700 - Internship Credit Hour(s): 1 to 6
• ARA 4210 - Introduction to Media Arabic Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 4310 - Classical Arabic Texts Credit Hour(s): 3
• ARA 4410 - Introduction to Arabic Fiction Credit Hour(s): 3
• HST 4220 - Studies in Russian and Soviet History Credit Hour(s): 3
• HST 3450 - Studies in Middle Eastern History Credit Hour(s): 3
• HST 4450 - Studies in Middle Eastern History Credit Hour(s): 3
• ML 3500 - Ambassador Program Abroad Credit Hour(s): 3
• ML 3990 - Studies in Modern Languages Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4540 - Politics of the Middle East Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4550 - Politics of Iraq Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4600 - Seminar in Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4640 - Politics of Israel and Palestine Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4860 - Model UN Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4930 - Contemporary Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4940 - Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4750 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Credit Hour(s): 3
• REL 2040 - Bible, Qur’an, and Western Culture Credit Hour(s): 3
• REL 3300 - Topics in Islam Credit Hour(s): 3
• REL 3320 - Islam in the Modern World Credit Hour(s): 3
• RST 2910 - Regional Studies: Middle East Credit Hour(s): 3
• SOC 4090 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• WGS 3800 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 3

• Program approval required for PLS 4860  Model United Nations and PLS 4750 Weapons of Mass Destruction.

Total: 21 Hours