Middle Eastern Studies Track, Asian & Middle Eastern Studies, Global Studies (BA in International Studies)

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES)

Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (AMES) is a multidisciplinary program that aims to enrich the understanding of a broadly conceived “Asia” in relation to other parts of the world. The AMES curriculum includes the study of history, politics, religion, literature, fine and media arts, performance, expressive and ritual culture, and the major languages of the region. Its curriculum consists of course offerings encompassing a diverse range of topics that involve East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific. Students select a track in either East Asian Studies or Middle Eastern Studies. The AMES curriculum includes four minor programs of study including minors in East Asian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, South Asian Studies and Comparative and Diaspora Studies of Asia and the Middle East. AMES concentrators and AMES minors are encouraged to combine their academic study with service learning, study away, or study abroad.

AMES concentrators are required to complete 38 credit hours, including AMES 250 Approaches to Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (core course) and AMES 493 Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (capstone course).  AMES students are encouraged to look into allied programs such as Global Studies for complementary courses and intellectual exchange. Students are encouraged to pursue advanced research through AMES 495 Senior Honors in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies-AMES 496 Senior Honors in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies  (Senior Honors). Please consult with a faculty member in AMES if you are interested in the program.

Global Studies Common Core

Common Core

All concentrators, regardless of the track, are required to take the following:

AMES 250Approaches to Asian and Middle Eastern Studies3
AMES 493Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies 13
a 3-credit course outside of the region of their chosen track3
Total Hours9
1

AMES 493 Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies fulfills both the MWR and CPR for the concentration.

Tracks

The remaining 30 credits are to come from courses that are specific to each of the three tracks that form the concentration. These are described below. Consult the AMES website for a list of courses.

Major Writing Requirement (MWR)

The major writing requirement is satisfied by completing AMES 493 with a grade of C- or better.

Major Computer Proficiency Requirement (CPR)

The computing proficiency requirement is satisfied by completing AMES 493 Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies with a grade of C- or better.

Middle Eastern Studies Track

Line 1: Core Course (Required)
AMES 250Approaches to Asian and Middle Eastern Studies3
Lines 2 and 3: Advanced Language Courses
Select two Arabic language courses above the 300-level. Alternatively, a student may take courses to the 202-level in two Middle Eastern languages, one of which is Arabic, while the other may be another Middle Eastern language (for example, Persian, Turkish, etc.): 16
Topics in Arabic Dialects
Advanced Arabic I: Introduction to Arabic Literature and Society
Advanced Arabic
Media Arabic (ARAB302 or consent of instructor))
Introduction to Arabic Dialects
Directed Readings Arab
Directed Readings Arab
Arab Civilization in Transition: Self, Culture, and Society in the Modern Period
Bridging Heritage and Modernity: Modern Forms and Classical Themes in Arabic Literary Writing
Classical Arabic Literature
Independent Study
Line 4: History & Politics
Select one of the following:3
Palestine and Indigeneity
Middle Eastern Political Systems
History of the Middle East to 1400
Hist Middle East since 1400
Line 5: Religion & Anthropology
Select one of the following:3
Culture and Society in the Middle East and North Africa
Anthropology of Islam
Special Topics in Anthropology (Middle Eastern Topics Only)
Senior Seminar (Middle Eastern Topics Only)
Introduction to Islam
Topics in Religion (Islamic Content Only)
Islam in the Modern World
Comparative Sociology
Line 6: Literature & the Arts
Select one of the following:3
Global Asian Cities: Learning from Dubai
Islamophobia
Topics in Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
Special Topics in Arabic Culture
Topics in Art History
Music Cultures of the Middle East
Topics in Ethnomusicology (Middle Eastern Topics Only (e.g. Mediterranean Musical Mosaic))
Lines 7, 8, and 9: Electives
Select three of the following or or other departmental approved courses:9
Topics in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Global Asian Cities: Learning from Dubai
Islamophobia
Palestine and Indigeneity
Topics in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Independent Study in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies
Culture and Society in the Middle East and North Africa
Anthropology of Islam
Special Topics in Anthropology (Middle Eastern topics only)
Senior Seminar (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics in Arabic Dialects
Arab Civilization in Transition: Self, Culture, and Society in the Modern Period (in Arabic)
Bridging Heritage and Modernity: Modern Forms and Classical Themes in Arabic Literary Writing (in Arabic)
Topics in Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
Special Topics in Arabic Culture (can be repeated for credit)
Classical Arabic Literature
Independent Study
Topics in Art History (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics: Global Studies (Middle Eastern topics only)
Independent Study in Global Studies (Middle Eastern topics only)
Internship Global Studies
Middle Eastern Political Systems
Politics of Developing Countries
Topics in Government (Middle Eastern topics only)
Seminar: Government (Middle Eastern topics only)
First-Year Seminar (Middle Eastern topics only)
History of the Middle East to 1400
Hist Middle East since 1400
Topics in History (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics in History (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics in History (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics in History (Middle Eastern topics only)
Senior Colloquium (Middle Eastern topics only)
Senior Colloquium (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics (Middle Eastern topics only)
Independent Study (Middle Eastern topics only)
Topics in Ethnomusicology (Middle Eastern topics only)
Music Cultures of the Middle East
Introduction to the History of Jewish Thought
Introduction to Islam
Topics in Religion (Islamic topics only)
Women in Islam: Tradition and Change
Islam in the Modern World
Line 10: Course on Middle East or South Asia
Select one course chosen in consultation with a member of the East Asian Studies faculty to form a coherent program of study.3
Line 11: Capstone (Required)
AMES 493Senior Research in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies3
Total Hours33
1

Although the College is not currently able to offer languages beyond Arabic, a student could count another Middle Eastern language (for example, Persian, Turkish, Modern Hebrew) provided they can demonstrate proficiency through accredited academic coursestaken domestically or abroad. This requirement will fulfill 6 credits.

Note

Students with a track in East Asian Studies who wish to minor in Chinese Language and Literature (offered by the department of Modern Languages and Literatures) will be allowed to apply up to 12 additional credit hours in Chinese Language and Literature beyond the current 48 credit hours limit in the major.