The Middle East Center coordinates an interdisciplinary program in Middle East studies in cooperation with the departments of Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Languages and Literature, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Political Science. The extensive undergraduate and graduate curriculum includes major languages (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish), literatures, and cultures of the Middle East as well as area concentrations in the various disciplines above.

Undergraduate Program

Degree. B.A. in Middle East studies‹Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish.

To declare a Middle East studies major, students must have the approval of the undergraduate adviser. Students majoring in Middle East studies must also have their programs approved by the undergraduate adviser. Obtain information from the Middle East Center, 153 OSH.

Middle East Studies Major. The B.A. degree in Middle East studies, granted through the Department of Languages and Literature, is achieved through an interdisciplinary program within which the student undertakes work in one of the four Middle East languages (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish) and in area studies courses for a total of 38 semester credit hours as outlined in the major requirements below. These requirements represent the minimum, and majors are encouraged to take as many courses as possible within the limits prescribed by University and college regulations. These constitute departmental requirements only; general education, allied, and distributive requirements must be cleared through the University College, 450 SSB.

Middle East Studies Minor. The Middle East Center offers minors in Middle East studies in the following: Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, and area studies. For details, see the minor requirements listed below. The course of study must be approved by the undergraduate adviser.
Further information can be obtained from the Middle East Center office.

Courses in Participating Departments
The following courses are taught by participating departments of the Middle East Studies Program. For a further description of the courses and information on prerequisites, consult the departmental listings elsewhere in this section of the catalog.
Anthropology
Arabic
See Languages and Literature elsewhere in this section of the catalog for complete descriptions of Arabic courses.
Economics
Geography
Hebrew
See Languages and Literature elsewhere in this section of the catalog for complete descriptions of Hebrew courses.
History
Languages and Literature
For a complete list of the major Middle East languages and course numbers, see Languages and Literature elsewhere in this section of the catalog. Ancient Near Eastern languages and other extant or so called exotic languages are offered on demand through the Middle East Center.
Linguistics
Persian
See Languages and Literature elsewhere in this section of the catalog for complete descriptions of Persian courses.
Political Science
Turkish

See Languages and Literature elsewhere in this section of the catalog for complete descriptions of Turkish courses.

Requirements for the Major
To cover the total major credit program of 38 semester hours, students are required to complete:

I. Introductory level: six semester-credit hours of lower-division (1000 or 2000-level) courses from an approved list, plus the first two years of a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish) or the equivalent. Note: Credit hours for this language study do not apply toward the major.

II. Upper-division (3000- or 4000-level) 23 credit hours: the third year of a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish) (counting eight credit hours towards the major requirement); plus five additional courses (15 credit hours) in at least three of the following area studies categories:

A. Upper-level languages and linguistics courses
B. Middle East literature
C. Modern Middle East (related courses in the fields/departments of anthropology, economics, modern history, and political science)

D. Middle East cultures and religions (including medieval studies)
III. Advanced work (nine credit hours): three courses at the 4000- or 5000- (depending on department) level. Fourth year language study is encouraged, but not required.

A degree in Middle East studies offers students a unique opportunity to choose a study program from among the four participating departments. Depending on the student's interests, a degree may be based on contemporary topics in political science and anthropology or the more traditional fields of history, language, literature, and linguistics.

Master's Degree. Candidates for the M.A. in Middle East studies must complete at least 33 credit hours, including those granted for thesis research (normally six). Candidates specializing in Arabic, Arabic and linguistics, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, history, or political science may exercise a nonthesis option, replacing the thesis with six hours of course work and a noncredit essay or paper reviewed by the supervisory committee. Thesis research, or course work done in lieu of a thesis, is done in the chosen field of specialization. Of the remaining credit hours, half must be earned in the field of specialization and half in at least two allied fields in participating departments.

Candidates specializing in anthropology, history, or political science are required to complete specified courses in those fields. Requirements relating to language proficiency, comprehensive examinations, and submission and defense of an M.A. thesis vary according to the field of specialization. For further details, see the Middle East Center's Handbook for Students in Middle East Studies.

Ph.D. Degree. Applicants must complete an M.A. in Middle East studies and demonstrate the potential for high scholarly achievement and independent research.

Requirements include 30 hours in approved graduate courses and seminars in the major beyond the M.A. degree, 14 hours of dissertation credit, and 10 hours or more in approved allied fields (completed outside of the Department of Languages and Literature). In most emphases, the candidate must have knowledge of at least two European languages at the standard proficiency level. In all cases, the specific language requirements are determined by the candidate's supervisory committee.

The student must pass oral and written qualifying examinations prior to commencing the dissertation. The examinations concentrate on the language studies and the interdisciplinary program. The candidate must publicly defend the dissertation after preliminary acceptance by the supervisory committee.

MID E Course Descriptions