Middle Eastern Studies BA
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Middle Eastern Studies Degree Plan for the 2020-2022 Catalogs
Students in the 2020-2022 catalog can pursue the new Middle Eastern Studies major, which combines elements from the old Middle Eastern Studies, Middle Eastern Languages and Culture, and Islamic Studies majors, to give all our students a well-rounded knowledge of the Middle East. This plan of study requires students to pursue a track in a specific discipline, enabling them to obtain a deeper understanding of their field of interest. Finally, all MES majors will complete the research- and writing-intensive Capstone course, which was previously only required of MELC majors. These elements in the new major will train all of our students to be better prepared to pursue graduate school and/or careers in government service, business, and the non-profit sector.
The new MES degree plan requires 36 total hours, including 27 upper-division and 18 hours in residence.
Lower Division Requirements
- MES 301C: Gateway to the Middle East (WR Flag). This course is only offered in fall semesters.
- Students must take 2 of the following courses: MES 301J: The Ancient Middle East; MES 301K: Introduction to the Middle East: Religious, Cultural, and Historical Foundations; MES 301L: Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times; MES 310C: Introduction to the Old Testament; MES 310R: Introduction to Middle East Religions; or ISL 310: Introduction to Islam
Upper Division Requirements
- MES 341: Topics in the Middle East: Social Science
- MES 342: Topics in the Middle East: Arts and Humanities
- MES 343: Topics in the Middle East: History
- Six hours of upper division Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish)
- Nine additional upper-division hours chosen from a single track: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, the Ancient Near East, History, Islamic Studies, or Literature. You can view the list of approved courses for the non-language tracks here.
- MES 323C: Engaging the Middle East (WR and II Flag). This is an intensive research and writing Capstone course designed to be taken the spring of your senior year. Students may not submit the same Capstone project to multiple Capstone courses (for example, IRG 378). Please note this course is only offered in spring semesters.
Middle Eastern Studies Degree Plan in the 2018-2020, 2016-2018, and 2014-2016 Catalogs
For students in the 2018-2020 and earlier valid catalogs, the degree plan for the Middle Eastern Studies major is outlined here. 24 hours total hours required, including 18 hours upper-division and 18 hours in residence:
Lower Division
- MES 301K: Introduction to the Middle East: Religious, Cultural, and Historical Foundations
- MES 301L: Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times
Upper Division
- MES 341: Topics in the Middle East: Social Science
- MES 342: Topics in the Middle East: Arts and Humanities
- MES 343: Topics in the Middle East: History
- 3 hours upper division MES
- Six hours of upper division Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian or Turkish)
Middle Eastern Studies Minor Requirements
15 hours of MES, consisting of:
- MES 301K: Introduction to the Middle East: Religious, Cultural, and Historical Foundations
- MES 301L: Introduction to the Middle East: Adjustment and Change in Modern Times
- Nine hours of upper-division MES chosen from MES 341, 342 or 343.
Megan Conner
Middle Eastern Studies Undergraduate Advisor
