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.

Required
Take 6 credits in Language6
LANG 131Elementary Arabic I 1, 23
LANG 132Elementary Arabic II 1, 23
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 322Middle Eastern Literature: Writing Beyond Modernity3
ENGL 328Literature of the Crusades3
ENGL 389Literature of the Palestine - Israel Conflict3
HIST 168Middle East, Past and Present3
HIST 357The Ottoman Empire3
HIST 359The Silk Road3
HIST 376The Twentieth Century Middle East3
LANG 1459/11 Before and After3
LANG 275Islam Today3
PHIL 324Judaism, Christianity, and Islam3
POLI 224Comparative Politics of the Middle East3
POLI 324International Relations in the Middle East3
Total Credits18
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