Middle East and South Asia Studies with Language Emphasis minor

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A minor in Middle East and South Asia studies with language emphasis requires the completion of seven courses (at least 21 credits). In meeting the requirements of this interdisciplinary minor, a student must use at least nine credits not also used to meet the requirements of any other major or minor. Students should regularly consult with the Program Director about course substitutions due to changes in departmental offerings, and courses taken abroad.

1. Gateway course: One course introducing the MESA area through comparative, broad-scale consideration of cultural processes, chosen from among the following: HIST 170, 171; MESA 195; REL 130, 283

2.   Distribution: Three additional courses (at least nine credits) selected from the following, with at least one course from at least two of the following three areas. Additional courses may be used when the topic is relevant and the program director approves in advance:
         a.   Art History and Literature: ARTH 140, 141, 242, 243, 245, 246, 342, 343; LIT 273; REL 273, or, when appropriate, ARTH 295, LIT 180, 295 (on a MESA-related topic)
         b.   Other Humanities: HIST 270 (POL 270); REL 101, 102, 105, 106, 131, 132, 216, 231, 250, 260 (on a MESA-related topic), 284, 333, 335, 350, 381; or, when appropriate, HIST 195, 289; REL 195, 260 (on a MESA-related topic)
         c.   Social Sciences: ECON 246, POL 384, REL 220, 222, 246; or, when appropriate, ECON 276, 295, 395; POL 274, 396

3.   Language: Three additional 3- or 4-credit courses earned by completing through term five in one MESA-relevant language. The first two terms of language study are not applicable to the minor:
         a.   Arabic: successful completion of ARAB 210 or 211 or its equivalent.
         b.   Sanskrit: successful completion of SKT 301 or its equivalent.
         c.   Other MESA-relevant languages (e.g., Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish, Urdu, or potentially other languages) can be studied elsewhere (e.g., intensive language programs at other universities; language study abroad) and will be considered by the Program Director for credit towards the MESA with Language option.

The language component will conclude, as part of ARAB 211 or SKT 301, with a fifth-term project, in which each student will read sources in Arabic or Sanskrit, as well as relevant secondary literature, and write a paper which will include discussion of how the topic relates to the larger concerns of MESA studies. Those writing a fifth-term project paper will participate in the regular capstone workshops with capstone paper writers, and will give an oral presentation on their work.

1. Gateway course:

One course introducing the MESA area through comparative, broad-scale consideration of cultural processes, chosen from among the following:

2. Distribution:

Three additional courses (at least nine credits) selected from the following, with at least one course from at least two of the following three areas. Additional courses may be used when the topic is relevant and the program director approves in advance:

a. Art History and Literature:

b. Other Humanities:

c. Social Sciences:

3. Language:

Three additional 3- or 4-credit courses earned by completing through term five in one MESA-relevant language. The first two terms of language study are not applicable to the minor:
   a.   Arabic: successful completion of ARAB 210 or ARAB 211  or its equivalent.
   b.   Sanskrit: successful completion of SKT 301  or its equivalent.
   c.   Other MESA-relevant languages (e.g., Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Tibetan, Turkish, Urdu, or potentially other languages) can be studied elsewhere (e.g., intensive language programs at other universities; language study abroad) and will be considered by the Program Director for credit towards the MESA with Language option.