Middle East and Islamic Studies, Undergraduate Certificate

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

This 16-credit hour certificate is designed for degree-seeking students in any major and non-degree-seeking students who want to become more proficient in this in-depth area of global studies, an area of expertise sought after by businesses; local, state, and federal government agencies; nonprofit and nongovernmental (NGO) organizations; health care and social service professions; and any other workplace or setting that requires people to talk across cultural differences. Students will gain greater competency in their understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East and the religion of Islam, along with increased knowledge of historical and contemporary issues relevant to the Middle East, including peoples of Middle Eastern descent now living in communities within the United States.

16 hours chosen from the following:

Program Requirements

Required Courses (13 hours)

ARB 101	Elementary Arabic I	4(4-0)
ARB 102	Elementary Arabic II	4(4-0)
HST 237	Baghdad and Beyond: The Middle East from 600 C.E.	3(3-0)
PSC 345	Middle Eastern Political Systems	3(3-0)
REL 314	Islam	3(3-0)

Note: Choose only one of ARB 101 or ARB 102, not both.

Electives (3 hours)

Select from the following:

ARB 102	Elementary Arabic II	4(4-0)
ART 489	Islamic Art	3(3-0)
HST 336	Iran and Iraq in History	3(3-0)
HST 382/REL 382	History of Israel	3(3-0)
HST 535	The Middle East in the Modern Era	3(3-0)
PSC 340	African Political Systems and Processes	3(3-0)
PSC 346	The Politics of Islam	3(3-0)
REL 375	Terrorism, Jihad, and Islamism	3(3-0)
REL 376	Women in Muslim Cultures	3(3-0)
REL 377	Sufism: Ecstasy and Meditation	3(3-0)

Students pursuing this certificate may also complete 3 hours of independent readings or research in an appropriate discipline as an elective option with the approval of the advisor.

Courses selected for the certificate program must include a minimum of 9 hours at the 300-599 level.

Total: 16 semester hours