Faculty: Alkyam, Hilal, Kirschner, Krone, B. Miller, Onyeiwu, Reeck

The Middle East and North African Studies minor is a program in the Interdisciplinary Studies Area of Study. Middle East and North African Studies minors may complete any major to satisfy the college requirement that the major and minor be in different areas of study.

Middle East and North African Studies Minor Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete a minor in Middle East and North African studies will be able to:

• Recognize the historical, cultural, social, and political traditions that influence the Middle East and North Africa;
• Understand how to counteract reductionist and ethnocentric estimations of the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa;
• Locate, critically analyze, interpret, and discuss cultural and religious texts and political and social forces;
• Express and apply concepts and knowledge to engage in informed conversations about important issues related to the region;
• Apply skills, knowledge, and nuanced perspectives that are necessary for effective global citizens actively engaging in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Middle East and North African Studies Minor (“MENA”)

The Middle East and North African Studies minor consists of 24 credits. At graduation, MENA minors must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in the minor. The calculation is based on the grades of all courses presented for the minor. Only the most recent grade is considered for courses that have been repeated. 

The minor in Middle East and North African (“MENA”) Studies is an interdivisional program examining the history, politics, religion, culture, and economics of the region. Through this minor, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the MENA region and the contexts through which we understand it. One of these courses must be at or above the 300 level. Students petitioning to include classes not listed below must provide a course syllabus. No more than 12 credits of foreign language study may be included in the 24-credit minimum.

When appropriate, other courses – for example, courses taken during study abroad – may be substituted for any of the requirements. All substitutions of alternatives for required courses must be approved by the minor coordinator, and students are strongly encouraged to discuss any potential course substitutions prior to enrolling in the course.

Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have prerequisites.