The Middle East/South Asia Studies Program offers a range of major and minors which allow students to fit with their academic curriculum.
MAJOR
MIDDLE EAST/SOUTH ASIA STUDIES
Description: Are you interested in languages and culture? Do you want a global education? Middle East/South Asia Studies is a unique major where you can learn about the interconnected regions of South Asia, Central and West Asia, and North Africa. This area encompasses many countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Students can explore these regions through a variety of courses: anthropology, art history, art studio, Asian American Studies, cinema, classics, comparative literature, English, gender studies, history, music, political science, religious studies, and sociology. As a ME/SA major, you will be able to learn a regional language (Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Persian or Punjabi). Beyond coursework, ME/SA majors also have the opportunity to get involved in research, special projects with faculty guidance, and study abroad.
The Middle East/South Asia Studies major focuses on the comparative study of these regions and their historically intertwined cultures and societies. Students will receive a strong foundation in one regional language, with two years required in Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi/Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, or another language of this area. The two required ME/SA Studies courses lay a comparative foundation, and options for remaining requirements include coursework from a wide range of departments/programs in the College of Letters and Science.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the history and culture of the Middle East/South Asia
- Apply critical thinking skills and demonstrate English writing skills
- Speak, write, and read at an intermediate to advanced level in a language of the Middle East/South Asia
Program Requirements: Click here to view ME/SA Major Requirements
Click here to view ME/SA Major Curriculum Planning Worksheet
MINORS
MIDDLE EAST/SOUTH ASIA STUDIES
Description: The ME/SA Studies Minor features the interdisciplinary and comparative study of West Asia, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia, regions that have been linked for centuries by trade, migration, the exchange of scientific, mathematical, philosophical, and political ideas, religion, literature, and the arts.
Requirements: Click here to view ME/SA Minor Requirements
ARAB STUDIES
Description: The Arab Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary minor that allows students to learn about the pre-modern and modern history, cultures, societies, and diasporas of Arabic-speaking peoples of West Asia and North Africa as well as other users of Arabic.
Requirements: Click here to view Arab Studies Minor Requirements
ARABIC LANGUAGE
Description: The Arabic Minor allows students to achieve advanced proficiency in Arabic while learning about Arabic literature and culture.
Requirements: Click here to view the Arabic Language Minor Requirements
INDIA/SOUTH ASIA STUDIES
Description: The India and South Asia Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary minor. It enables students to learn about the history, culture, society, religion, gender relations, media, political economy, international relations, urbanism, migration and diaspora, and languages and literatures of India and South Asia across regional and national boundaries.
Requirements: Click here to view India/ South Asia Studies Minor Requirements
IRAN & PERSIAN STUDIES
Description: The Iran and Persian Studies Minor is an interdisciplinary minor that allows students to learn about the pre-modern and modern history, cultures, societies, and diasporas of the peoples of Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan as well as other users of Persian in West Asia, Central Asia, and South Asia.
Requirements: Click here to view Iran & Persian Studies Minor Requirements