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Middle Eastern Studies, Minor

Become a leader who can bridge cultural divides and create pathways for a more peaceful and prosperous world.

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About this Program

The Middle Eastern Studies minor gives you an interdisciplinary understanding of the culture, economics, history, literature, politics, and religion of Southwest Asia and North Africa. This program also encourages the study of the places where Middle Eastern diasporic and immigrant communities constitute a religious or ethnic minority.

The growing economic, cultural, and political importance of the Middle East, and how events in this region affect our daily lives, heightens the need for well-informed leaders who have a comprehensive understanding of the region and its relationship with the United States and other parts of the world.

Faculty and courses from English, History, International Studies, Matteo Ricci Institute, Political Science, Theology & Religious Studies, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies contribute to the Middle Eastern Studies program and help give you a multifaceted understanding of the intricacies of this part of the world. 

Designed to complement a major field of study, the minor in Middle Eastern Studies helps you to develop deeper and more nuanced understanding of the Middle East for employment in a variety of professional and non-profit fields, for graduate studies in a number of disciplines, and for competitive fellowships.

Middle Eastern Studies Minor At A Glance

As a Middle Eastern Studies Minor student, you will:

  • Analyze the culture, history, literature, economics, and politics of the Middle East to develop cross-cultural understanding and competence.
  • Apply critical thinking and historical analysis to contemporary events in the Middle East and its relationship with the world.
  • Analyze the relationships between religious traditions in the Middle East and their cultural, historical, and social contexts.  

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Three Students Stand in Doorway in Morocco

Experiential Learning

Participate in a short or quarter long Study Abroad program in a Middle Eastern or North African country. Students can transfer up to 15 credits from other Universities (including regional language courses such as Arabic, Farsi, Hebrew, or Turkish)

See Study Abroad Options

Hear From Our Students

Diego Borromeo in the desert

Diego Borromeo

Studying abroad in Jordan provided a deep dive into the region's rich history, from ancient civilizations to the complex influences of colonialism and the modern statehood. It was both rewarding and challenging, particularly the intricate geopolitics of the Middle East and its impact on current events.

International Studies with a Minor in Middle Eastern Studies, Class of 2026

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