Middle East Studies
Major in Middle East Studies
A major in Middle East Studies (General) requires a minimum of forty credits. The required courses for the major are:
- Middle East, 600-Present (ARAB 180C). Four credits. This course traces the origins, development, and transformation of the Middle East and North Africa from the rise of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th Century CE until the 21st Century.
- Language requirement. Eight credits. Two consecutive courses must be taken in one of the following Middle East languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.
- Elective requirement. Twenty four credits. Courses with appropriate content coverage of the Middle East may be taken in such departments and programs as Anthropology, Arabic Studies, Art History, Comparative Literature, Geography, Hebrew Studies, History, Israel Studies, Judaic Studies, Persian Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, TRIP, and Turkish Studies, among others.
- Capstone course. Four credits. This course may be a 400 level course, seminar, or independent study directed by a faculty member in MEAMS or a cognate department. Students will complete a capstone research project. The course and project must be approved by the Undergraduate Director.
NOTE: At lease twenty-four credits (usually six courses, one of which is the capstone course) must be at the 300 or 400 level.
**** The major track in Middle East Studies (General) will be available beginning Fall 2025. Students intending to pursue the major must update their catalog (matriculation) year to Fall 2025. ****
Minor in Middle East Studies
The minor in Middle East Studies (General) combines language study with the range of topical courses that treat the region from historical and contemporary perspectives. The required courses for the minor are:
- Language requirement. Eight credits. Two consecutive courses must be taken in one of the following Middle East languages: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.
- Elective requirement. Sixteen credits. Courses with appropriate content coverage of the Middle East may be taken in such departments and programs as Anthropology, Arabic Studies, Art History, Comparative Literature, Geography, Hebrew Studies, History, Israel Studies, Judaic Studies, Persian Studies, Political Science, Religious Studies, Sociology, TRIP, and Turkish Studies, among others.
NOTE: At lease eight credits (usually two courses) must be at the 300 or 400 level.
Omid Ghaemmaghami
Associate Professor/Undergraduate Director - Middle East Studies
Middle Eastern and Ancient Mediterranean Studies