Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MENA)
The program in Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MENA) offers students an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the Middle East and North Africa. This is an area studies approach to non-western cultures and peoples. Drawing on courses in Art History, English, Government, History, and Religion, the program encourages students to learn about the history, culture, politics and languages of the Middle East and North Africa. It culminates in an independent capstone project designed to integrate learning from diverse areas of study.
The program in Middle Eastern and North African Studies is not a major. Courses applied toward requirements for this program may also be counted toward requirements that will satisfy other programs, majors, or minors. Successful completion of the program will be noted on the transcript and on the program for commencement exercises.
Program Requirements
Students are required to take MENA 354 Middle Eastern & North African Studies: An Area Studies Seminar and MENA 448 Middle Eastern & North African Studies Senior Capstone and four additional courses. Within the electives, a maximum of 6 credit hours (or two courses) may be taken in any one discipline. MENA 448 Middle Eastern & North African Studies Senior Capstone is normally taken in the fall semester of the student’s senior year; however, exceptions may be granted with the approval of the the Program Coordinator.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 6 | |
| Middle Eastern & North African Studies: An Area Studies Seminar | ||
| Middle Eastern & North African Studies Senior Capstone | ||
| Electives Courses 1 | 12 to 16 | |
| Select four courses from the following: | ||
| Beginning Active Arabic | ||
| Beginning Active Arabic | ||
| Intermediate Active Arabic | ||
| Intermediate Active Arabic | ||
| Advanced Arabic | ||
| Advanced Arabic | ||
| Islamic Art | ||
| Economics of Immigration | ||
| Race, Gender, and Empire | ||
| Global Digital Cultures | ||
| Modern Middle East | ||
| Iran: Its History, Culture & Politics | ||
| Middle East Politics | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Revolutions & Regime Change | ||
| Special Topics in Middle Eastern & North African Studies | ||
| The Hebrew Bible | ||
| Archeology of Religion | ||
| Introduction to Islam | ||
| Ethnography of Religion in the Middle East & North Africa | ||
| Gods of the Biblical World: Polytheism, Magic, and Israelite Religion | ||
| Death & Sacrifice in the Ancient World | ||
| Israel's Poetry and Wisdom Literature | ||
| Archeology and the Bible | ||
| Christian & Islamic Theology in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Political Islam | ||
| Contemporary Islam | ||
| Ritualized Space in the Middle East | ||
| Islam in the Media | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Total Hours | 18-22 | |
| 1 | A maximum of two courses may be taken in any one discipline. Students may also take special or advanced topics courses in other disciplines as approved by the Program Coordinator. |
MENA 280. Selected Topics in Middle Eastern & North African Studies. 1 to 4 Hours.
Selected topics in Middle Eastern and North African Studies at the introductory or intermediate level.
MENA 354. Middle Eastern & North African Studies: An Area Studies Seminar. 3 Hours.
The area studies approach makes sure the political, geographical, historical, anthropological and religious influences of the Middle East/North African region will be explored throughout the course. The religion of Islam will be explored through its engagement in particular places and spaces. Students will differentiate between how the politics and cultural context of one place directly influence the way Islam is practiced in, for example, the Gulf as opposed to Turkey. Successful completion of this course satisfies the Cultures and Peoples requirements for graduation.
MENA 380. Special Topics in Middle Eastern & North African Studies. 1 to 4 Hours.
Seminars on selected topics in Middle Eastern and/or North African Studies offered on an occasional basis.
MENA 448. Middle Eastern & North African Studies Senior Capstone. 3 Hours.
The Senior Capstone is designed to help students focus and integrate their knowledge of the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) region. Each student will complete an independent research project focusing on a specific problem or region from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Prerequisite: MENA 354 with a minimum grade of C.
