The minor in Middle Eastern Studies is an interdisciplinary program that seeks to familiarize students with the histories, geographies, religions, cultures, arts, languages, and politics of the region known as the Middle East. It draws on courses in Geography, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Political Science, and Religion, fostering connections between different disciplinary approaches to the study of the region. The program thus provides a foundation of knowledge and learning about the Middle East (including the Arab World, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Israel), while privileging no single country, theme, or political position. Through this program, students will gain both specialized knowledge and broad understanding about this dynamic region, in a manner that promotes dialogue, understanding, and awareness of the Middle East and its place in the world.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR
1. Two sequential semesters of instruction in any Middle Eastern language at Mary Washington or at a comparable institution for transfer credit (6 credits; to be approved by the program director)
2. Four non-language courses in Middle Eastern Studies, chosen at the 300 or 400 level, or RELG 210, and from at least three different departments (12 credits; see course offerings below)
3. A capstone experience in the form of a semester-long, relevant individual study project, study abroad program, or internship (3 credits; to be approved by the program director)
FACULTY
Farhang Rouhani (Geography), Program Director
Ranjit Singh (Political Science)
LANGUAGE COURSES
ARABIC 351: Classical Arabic Literature in Translation
ARABIC 352: Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
ART HISTORY/CLASSICS 305: Egyptian and Near Eastern Art and Archeology
GEOGRAPHY 304: Geography of the Middle East
GEOGRAPHY 410X: Islam and the West
HISTORY 300H/387: Turkey from Empire to Republic
HISTORY 383: Islamic Civilization I
HISTORY 384: Islamic Civilization II
HISTORY 385: The Arab-Israeli Conflict
HISTORY 386: Modern Iraq
HISTORY 471E1: Sufi Movements
HISTORY 471E2: The Great War in the Middle East
POLITICAL SCIENCE 355: Politics of the Middle East and North Africa
POLITICAL SCIENCE 471: Opposition in the Middle East
RELIGION 210: Islam
RELIGION 331: Islamic Mysticism
RELIGION 340: Mysticism East and West
RELIGION 341: Major Religious Thinkers in Islam
RELIGION 400: Islamic Philosophy and Theology