Middle Eastern Studies Minor

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Total credit hours for minor: 20

For Information: contact the Middle Eastern Studies Director: Dr. Abed el-Rahman Tayyara, email: a.tayyara@csuohio.edu

Since ancient times the Middle East has been playing an instrumental role in human history. Today, the Middle East occupies a strategic place in global economy and politics.

A minor in Middle Eastern Studies necessitates the successful completion of 20 credit hours. To that end, a student will need to complete one course (ARB/HIS/PSC 274 Introduction to the Middle East, 3 credit hours) and demonstrate an intermediate level skill of an identified and regionally appropriate foreign language, including Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish or Persian. Maximum of 8 credit hours of language instruction may count toward the minor.

In addition, students will need to complete a minimum of three elective courses (9 credit hours) in areas related to Middle Eastern Studies, such as history, religion, culture, media, and politics. Students may receive credits toward the minor by engaging in a study abroad program in the Middle East.

The Middle Eastern Studies program reserves the right to decline a particular study abroad program if it does not address adequately the needs of the Middle Eastern Studies program at CSU. It is strongly recommended that students obtain the Director’s approval for the proposed study abroad prior to their departure.

Minor Requirements

1. Core Requirements:

Minors in Middle Eastern Studies must complete one core course and demonstrate intermediate foreign-language skills.

Core course (choose one):

Language requirement:

A student must demonstrate an intermediate-level language skill in an identified and regionally appropriate foreign language, including Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish or Persian. A maximum of 8 credit hours of language instruction may count toward the minor.

2. Electives:

Students must complete at least three elective courses for a total of 9 credit hours (see list of Middle Eastern Studies electives below).

Although a student is free to complete the minor requirements with any combination of Middle Eastern Studies electives, the MES program believes that the minor is greatly strengthened and better organized when there is judicious selection of electives. The MES program makes available to every student who declares a minor in Middle Eastern Studies an Undergraduate Adviser. The student is expected to plan a total academic program with the assistance of the program adviser. Only the 8 language credits may be double-counted with a minor in Arabic.