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- Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Major
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Major Requirements
The major consists of 11 courses, only two of which may be shared with a second major such as international relations, religious studies, peace and conflict studies, history, or anthropology.
Gateway Course
A MIST-related CORE Communities and Identities course:
- CORE C183Ìý-ÌýThe Middle East
- CORE C170Ìý-ÌýIslamic North Africa
- or another appropriate course, in consultation with a MIST adviser and with the MIST program director's approval.
Language
Proficiency equivalent to four semesters of study in a single MIST-related language.
Students who wish to fulfill the language requirement through study abroad must consult with the director to determine suitable programs and the procedure for transferring credit. In some cases, students are required to successfully complete a language proficiency exam upon their return to campus.
Students who place out of two or more language courses must still complete a total of at least nine MIST courses to fulfill the requirements of the major. Students pursuing honors are strongly encouraged to undertake additional language study.
This requirement is normally met through completion of four of the following courses in a single language:
- ARAB 121Ìý-ÌýElementary Arabic I
- ARAB 122Ìý-ÌýElementary Arabic II
- ARAB 201Ìý-ÌýIntermediate Arabic I
- ARAB 202Ìý-ÌýIntermediate Arabic II
- ARAB 301Ìý-ÌýAdvanced Arabic I
- ARAB 302Ìý-ÌýAdvanced Arabic II
- ARAB 315Ìý-ÌýClassical Arabic of the Qur'an
- ARAB 401Ìý-ÌýTopics in Arabic Language and Culture I
- ARAB 402Ìý-ÌýTopics in Arabic Language and Culture II
- HEBR 121Ìý-ÌýElementary Hebrew I
- HEBR 122Ìý-ÌýElementary Hebrew II
- HEBR 201Ìý-ÌýIntermediate Hebrew I
- HEBR 202Ìý-ÌýIntermediate Hebrew II
Additional Courses
Students must complete five additional courses selected from among those listed below, of which two must be at the 300- or 400-level. Students must complete at least one course in each group (A, B, and C) at 49ͼ¿â. Students may count no more than two courses from any one group toward the major. Two affiliated electives may be counted towards the major.
Group A: Arts and Humanities
- ARCH 244Ìý-ÌýHousing the Sacred in Ancient India
- ARCH 245Ìý-ÌýPalaces and Paintings of India
- FREN 455Ìý-ÌýFrancophone Voices from North Africa
- MIST 214 - Muhammad and the Qur'anÌý
- MIST 262/RELG 262Ìý-ÌýIslam in Our Post-9/11 World Ìý
- MIST 310 - Islamic JurisprudenceÌý
- RELG 202 - Introduction to IslamÌý
- RELG 234Ìý-ÌýGoddesses, Women and Power
- RELG 248Ìý-ÌýChristianity, Islam, and Political Change in Africa
- RELG 329Ìý-ÌýModern Islamic Thought
- RELG 347Ìý-ÌýReligion and U.S. Foreign Policy
Group B: Historical Perspectives
- HIST 105Ìý-ÌýIntroduction to the Modern Middle East
- HIST 255Ìý-ÌýThe Ottoman Empire, 1300 - 1924
- HIST 269Ìý-ÌýThe Indian Subcontinent: Raj to Republics
- HIST 384Ìý-ÌýSomalia: From Independence to Collapse
- HIST 385Ìý-ÌýDarfur in Historical Perspective
Group C: Social Sciences
- ANTH 382Ìý-ÌýNations, Power, Islam: Muslim Identity and Community in the Global Age
- CORE C154Ìý-ÌýIndonesia
- EDUC 246Ìý-ÌýForced Migration and Education
- EDUC 308Ìý-ÌýGlobal Inequalities of Education
- MIST 215/POSC 215Ìý-ÌýComparative Politics: Middle East (CO)
- MIST 252/ANTH 252Ìý-ÌýMuslim Societies in Motion
- MIST 330 - Capitalism & Imperialism in the Middle EastÌýÌý
- MIST 351/PCON 351Ìý-ÌýThe Israel/Palestine Conflict Ìý
Affiliated Electives
- HIST 232Ìý-ÌýThe Crusades (with permission of the instructor)
- Additional term-specificÌýcourse offerings may be accepted, with MIST program director's approval.
Capstone Course
The capstone course, normally taken in the fall of the senior year, consists of a 400-level MIST designated seminar,ÌýUNST 410 Seminar: Area, Regional, and Global Study, or a relevant seminarÌýin another majorÌýwith permission of the seminar instructor and their program or department. This capstone course entails the completion of a substantial research paper on a topic relevant to the MIST major. Students seeking to count a single capstone course for two majors or seeking to take a seminar that is not MIST designated or is not taught by MIST faculty must have their capstone approved by their MIST academic adviser and the MIST program director.
Honors and High Honors
To be eligible for honors, students must earn a grade of A- or better in the capstone course taken in the fall of their senior year and write a thesis in the spring. The thesis is normally an extension of work done in the capstone course.
For honors, the thesis must be judged by a committee of two MIST faculty members from different disciplines and earn a grade of A- or better.
For high honors, the thesis must be judged by a committee of three MIST faculty members (or 2 MIST and a third faculty member approved by the director) from two or more different disciplines and earn a grade of A or better. An overall minimum GPA in the major of 3.50 is required for honors and 3.70 for high honors.
Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program
For more information about the department, including Faculty,Ìýtransfer credit, awards, etc.,Ìýplease visit theÌýMiddle Eastern and Islamic Studies programÌýcatalogÌýpage.