Middle Eastern Studies

The Middle Eastern Studies Program

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 Museum Studies Minor

Twenty-one (21) credits to include: (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). If a student places out of an approved language, they will need to complete 6 additional credits from the elective list. (2) Four non-language courses in Middle Eastern Studies, chosen at the 300 or 400 level, or Religion 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).

Middle Eastern Studies Elective Courses
ARAB 351, 352; GEOG 304; HIST 383, 384, 385, 386; PSCI 355R1, 471; RELG 210, 331, 340, 341.