Middle East Studies (MEST)

Adnan F. Haydar
513 Kimpel Hall
575-2951

Courses related to Middle East Studies are offered by the following faculty: Professors Haydar (Foreign Languages, Arabic and Comparative Literature, Chair of Studies), Adler (Philosophy); DuVal (English, Literary Translation); Edwards (Philosophy); Farah (History, Outreach), Graff (Geography); Kahf (Comparative Literature); Locke (Comparative Literature); Murray (Economics); Okruhlik (Political Science); Rose (Anthropology); Schilcher (History); Swedenberg (Anthropology), Tucker (History); Vanneman (Political Science); and Woods (History).

Students interested in the Middle East, and wishing to maximize their potential for academic business, professional, or government careers related to the area, may earn a major in Middle East Studies with a required second major in Anthropology, Economics, Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Journalism, and Political Science. New students entering the program are required to notify both the major adviser and the MEST chair of studies of their intention to participate. Freshmen and sophomores considering this program are advised to begin their study of a Middle East language as early as possible.

Students may also earn a minor in Middle East Studies.

Program Requirements

Requirements for a Major in MEST consist of 30 semester hours including a minimum of 12 hours in MEST core courses, with no more than 6 hours in any one discipline, 3 hours in MEST Colloquium (MEST 4003) and 6 hours (beyond the college language requirement) in the same MEST language. To attain a major in MEST, the student is required to have a second major in Anthropology, History, Political Science, Geography, Foreign Languages, Journalism or Economics. Up to 9 hours of Middle Eastern Studies courses in this major may be counted toward the MEST major.

Current MEST Core Courses

ANTH 4253 Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
GEOG 4033 Geography of the Middle East
HIST 3033 Islamic Civilization
HIST 4353 Middle East 600-1500
HIST 3043 History of the Modern Middle East
HIST3473 Israel and the Arabs in the 20th Century
HIST 4373 Mongol and Mamluk 1250- 1520
HIST 4393 The Ottoman Empire and Iran 1300-1722
HIST 4413 Women and Family in the Middle East Since 1800
HIST 4433 Social History of the Modern Middle East
MEST 4003 Middle East Studies Colloquium
PLSC 3523 Politics of the Modern Middle East
PLST 4583 Political Economy of the Middle East
PLSC 4593 Islam and Politics
WLIT 3983/603 Special Studies (Modern Arabic Poetry)
WLIT 3983/603 Special Studies (Modern Arabic Literature in Translation)
WLIT 3983/603 Special Studies (Women and Arabic Literature)

Requirements for a Minor in Middle East Studies:

Total Hours Required: 18 beyond basic language requirement (fourth semester Arabic), as follows:

Language Requirement: (6 hours) Students must complete the equivalent of a third year of Arabic (6 hours above the basic four-semester language sequence). Three to six hours in an approved study abroad program in an Arabic-speaking country may substitute for all or part of this requirement. At the discretion of the chairman of studies, proficiency in other appropriate languages may also satisfy this requirement.

Middle East Studies Colloquium: (6 hours) Students must complete at least three hours in the Middle East Studies Colloquium (MEST 4003). The Colloquium may be repeated with a change of subject for a maximum of six credits, with the three additional credits counted as non-departmental electives within the program.

Electives: (9 hours) Students must complete at least 9 hours in addition to the language requirement and the Colloquium from among the following or in individualized courses under faculty participating in the program. Students choosing to take individualized reading or directed research courses as a part of the minor must obtain the approval of the Chairman of Studies and their major adviser. In addition, the following distribution requirements apply:

1. courses must be selected from at least two separate departments;

2. a maximum of 3 hours may be submitted from courses presented for the major.

Courses: The following courses may be taken in fulfillment of elective requirements:

ANTH 4253, Peoples and Cultures of World Regions (if devoted to Middle East)

ARAB 4113, Modern Arabic Literature

ARAB 4213, Introduction to Arab Culture

ECON 4533, Comparative Economic Systems

GEOG 2103, Emerging Nations

GEOG 4033, Geography of the Middle East

HIST 3033, Islamic Civilization

HIST 3043, History of the Modern Middle East

HIST 3473, Israel & the Arabs in the 20th Century

HIST 4353, Middle East, 600-1500

HUMN 4203, World Religions

PLSC 3823, Theories of International Relations

PLSC 4843, The Middle East in World Affairs

MIDDLE EAST STUDIES (MEST) COURSES:

MEST4003 Middle East Studies Colloquium (FA, SP, SU) An interdepartmental colloquium with an annual change in subject required of all students in the Middle East studies program. May be repeated for 6 hours. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

MEST4003H Honors Middle East Studies Honors Colloquium (FA, SP, SU)