Degree Requirements

Middle Eastern Studies | Judaic Studies

The Field

The Middle Eastern Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses related to the Middle East offered through various departments.   The program also includes various levels of Arabic and Hebrew courses offered through the Department of Judaic and Near Eastern Studies.   In addition to the University's courses, students can draw on Middle Eastern Studies courses offered at the other four colleges in the Five College system.  A Middle Eastern Studies major allows students to explore various academic and professional prospects after graduation, including teaching, journalism, international relations, business, and joining non-profit organizations.

The Major

Requirements for a major are as follows:

1. HISTORY 130 and 131 (formerly MEAST 100 and 101) (Middle Eastern History I & II);
2. Fulfilling the intermediate level requirement (two years) in a Middle Eastern language;
3. 24 upper-level credits (300-level courses and above) in Middle Eastern subjects in a variety of disciplines including Arabic, Archeology, Art History, Economics, History, Legal Studies, Political Science, Religion and Sociology; with adviser's approval some of these courses may be taken at the other four colleges in the Five College system; see list below;
   
4. Junior Year Writing requirement (usually taken in the History Department, HIST 591-595).
5. The major in Middle Eastern Studies requires at least a C grade in courses taken towards the major. No course with a Pass grade can be accepted for major credit.

The Minor

The minor in Middle Eastern Studies requires students to complete one year of a language of the region, HISTORY 130 and 131 (MEAST 100 and 101), and three upper level courses chosen from an approved list of courses offered by the Five College consortium; see list below. 

For a minor in Arabic language, non-native speakers are required to take one year (6 credits) beyond the intermediate level.   Native speakers are required to take six courses (18 credits) beyond the intermediate level.

If you would like to declare a minor in either Middle Eastern Studies or Arabic Language, please complete the Declaration of Academic Form and bring it with a transcript to Professor David Mednicoff, Director of Middle Eastern Studies, 735 Herter Hall.

Study Abroad

     In addition to the courses offered, the University has an exchange program with the American University in Cairo, which offers both summer and full-year scholarships through the Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA). The summer program at AUC concentrates only on colloquial Egyptian Arabic, while the full-year program offers Modern Standard Arabic as well as courses in history, religion, political science, economics, and literature.

     Credits earned may be transferred to the University as part of a Middle Eastern Studies concentration, subject to approval of the program adviser. Other programs in Tunisia, Morocco, and Syria are also available to qualified students.

     For detailed information on Study Abroad opportunities, contact the Middle Eastern Studies Program Director or the International Programs Office.