Dual Language Track

Knowing more than one Middle Eastern language allows students to engage with the Middle East in a transnational, regional way, and makes possible comparative analysis and a broader understanding of the region. For this reason, CMES encourages students to acquire at least intermediate knowledge of a second Middle Eastern language by signing up for the Dual Language track. Committing to the Dual Language track typically means that students need to extend their time-to-degree, making it an attractive option for Dual Degree students and students seeking graduate portfolios, who already require longer time-to-degree and can, therefore, take additional language courses. For MA students not seeking Dual Degrees or portfolios, the Dual Language option is possible with careful and strategic planning that may include summer language study. To help students achieve Dual Language requirements, we prioritize dual language students for travel funding and waive their tuition for the Arabic Summer Institute. In some cases, students who demonstrate that a non-Middle Eastern language (such as Urdu, Spanish, or French) complements their research interests may be allowed to pursue the study of that language as their second language in fulfillment of our Dual Language degree requirements.
*Applicants must currently be graduate students in the Middle Eastern Studies' MA program. Most students apply for the Dual Language Track during their first year of study.
Dual-Language Track Application
What to include in your application:
-
Statement of Purpose describing how proficiency in the languages listed on your application relates to your academic and professional goals.
-
The names and emails of two references (one must be a language instructor)
Examples of Dual-Language Track Programs of Work
Example One*
Year One:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
|
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
|
Intermediate / Advanced Language 1 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 1 |
Year Two:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
|
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
|
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Year Three:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
|
Thesis A |
Thesis B |
|
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |
*Preferred track.
Example Two**
Year One:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer* |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 1 ** |
Intermediate / Advanced Language1** |
|
Year Two:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Thesis B |
Graduate Course |
Thesis A |
|
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |
|
*Recipients of the Summer FLAS will be able to pursue language study over the summer with funding.
**placement into an upper-division language sequence is required. It is also possible to begin Thesis A in the Fall and complete Thesis B in the Spring and, thereby, avoid Summer study.
Example Three***
Year One:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer* |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Beginner-Level Language 2 |
Beginner-Level Language 1 |
Beginner-Level Language 1 |
Year Two:
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Graduate Course |
Graduate Course |
Thesis B |
Graduate Course |
Thesis A |
|
Intermediate / Advanced Language 1 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 1 |
|
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |
Intermediate / Advanced Language 2 |