MAJOR REQUIREMENTS:

Major in Middle Eastern Studies

This interdisciplinary major, which leads to a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, provides students with the opportunity to study the languages, history, culture, religions and politics of the Middle East. The major will require students to complete (a) three core courses, (b) three consecutive semesters in one of the regional languages (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish), (c) two lower division courses and (d) three upper division courses.

The Major in open to all undergraduates who have completed at least two Middle Eastern content courses (one of which can be a language course) and have a GPA of 2.8 or better. Prospective majors must meet with the Program Director (Professor Mehrzad Boroujerdi) (http://faculty.maxwell.syr.edu/mborouje/) before submitting a major application. At least 18 of the 36 credits required for the major should be in courses (numbered above 299). A maximum of six credits of independent study can be applied to the major by petition. Experience credit courses (i.e., internships) may not be used to satisfy the requirements of the major.

Click Here to download a Major advising worksheet in printer friendly .pdf format.
Click Here to download the Major-Minor Brochure in printer friendly .pdf format.

Requirements:

Required Core Courses

(9 credits, 3 courses)

  • MES/HST 318: Introduction to Modern Middle East
  • MES/PSC 344: Politics of the Middle East
  • MES 430: Senior Seminar in Middle Eastern Studies (including but not limited to:
    • ANT/IRP/MES 468/668
    • ANT/IRP/MES 707
    • ARC 435/735
    • HST/MES 644
    • REL 607
    • REL/ANT 625
    • REL/ANT 628
    • REL 676/ JSP 600
    • PPA 705
    • PSC/MES 682

Language Category

(12 credits, select 3 consecutive courses in one regional language):

  • ARB 101, 102, 201, 202, 301
  • PRS 101, 102, 201, 202
  • HEB 101, 102, 201, 202, 301
  • TRK 101, 102, 201, 202

Lower Division Courses

(6 credits; select 2 including but not limited to):

  • ARB 202
  • HEB 202
  • ETS 235
  • HST 210
  • PRS 202
  • REL/JSP 107
  • REL/JSP 114
  • REL/JSP 135
  • REL/SAS 165
  • REL/JSP 215
  • REL 217
  • REL/JSP/LIT 231
  • TRK 202

Upper Division Courses

(9 credits; select 3 from at least two different departments):

  • ANT/HTW/MES 382
  • ANT/IRP/MES 468/668
  • ANT/IRP/MES 707
  • ARC 435/735/FIA 457
  • HEB 301
  • HST 373
  • HST/MES 318
  • HST/MES 319
  • HST/MES 644
  • PSC/MES 344
  • PSC/MES 345
  • PSC/MES 349
  • PSC/SOC 362/REL 355
  • PSC/MES 366
  • PSC/MES 367
  • PSC/MES/HST 368
  • PSC/MES 682
  • REL 301
  • REL 324
  • REL/JSP 302
  • REL/JSP 334
  • ETS 315/REL/JSP/LIT 335
  • REL 364
  • REL/SAS 367
  • REL/PHI/JSP 435
  • REL/WSP/SAS 465
  • REL 607
  • REL 625
  • REL/ANT 628
  • REL 676/JSP 600

Study Abroad:

Middle Eastern Studies Majors who decide to study abroad have the option of taking up to a maximum of 15 credits of relevant, departmentally-approved course work toward the major by petition and with the approval of the Program Director. Students can enroll through the World Partner Program of Syracuse University Abroad (SU Abroad). Click Here for SU Abroad website.

Degree With Distinction

All students receiving distinction in Middle Eastern Studies must complete a major in Middle Eastern Studies, have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in Middle East related courses, and a cumulative GPA of 3.4 by the end of the senior year, have successfully completed a regional language at the level of 202; have registered for MES 499 (“Thesis Preparation”, 3 credits) and have successfully defended a 60-70 pages thesis before two Middle Eastern Studies faculty members. Students in the Honors Program can graduate with a distinction in Middle Eastern Studies as well as receive honors in their other major.

Click Here to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to get more information about the Major.