Middle Eastern Studies, Minor
A Minor in Middle Eastern Studies offers students an opportunity to complement their academic major with an interdisciplinary exploration of one of the world’s most important regions. This program, which draws upon faculty and courses from many departments, is aimed at preparing students to better understand the languages, cultures, and political systems of the Middle East. It affords them the opportunity to study art and history, three of the world’s major religions, international relations, and the languages of the Middle East, among other subjects. The language component (two semesters) is designed to introduce students to one of the languages of the Middle East, as well as the cultures and social customs of that region. Arabic is the only Middle Eastern language currently offered at NJCU. Other languages spoken in the region, such a Hebrew and Farsi, may be substituted for Arabic. Depending on their proficiency level, students may be exempted from taking one or both courses in the area of language. Proficiency can be demonstrated through language tests that would result in six or more course credits from NJCU, such as the CLEP or the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview).
The Minor in Middle Eastern Studies consists of a 18-credit sequence that includes two semesters of language study and four elective courses.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required | ||
Take 6 credits in Language | 6 | |
LANG 131 | Elementary Arabic I 1, 2 | 3 |
LANG 132 | Elementary Arabic II 1, 2 | 3 |
OR | ||
Equivalent credits/proficiency in another language of the Middle East (Hebrew or Farsi) may be substituted in lieu of these language requirements | ||
Restricted Multidisciplinary Electives | ||
Select 12 credits from the following courses: | 12 | |
ENGL 322 | Middle Eastern Literature: Writing Beyond Modernity | 3 |
ENGL 328 | Literature of the Crusades | 3 |
ENGL 389 | Literature of the Palestine - Israel Conflict | 3 |
HIST 168 | Middle East, Past and Present | 3 |
HIST 357 | The Ottoman Empire | 3 |
HIST 359 | The Silk Road | 3 |
HIST 376 | The Twentieth Century Middle East | 3 |
LANG 145 | 9/11 Before and After | 3 |
LANG 275 | Islam Today | 3 |
PHIL 324 | Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | 3 |
POLI 224 | Comparative Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
POLI 324 | International Relations in the Middle East | 3 |
Total Credits | 18 |
- 1
Elementary Arabic I and II is the only Middle Eastern language sequence currently offered at NJCU
- 2
The language requirement may be waived if a student demonstrates intermediate-level proficiency in any language of the Middle East that is approved by the Department of World Languages and Cultures