Middle East and South Asia Studies minor

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The Middle East and South Asia (MESA) minor program is an interdisciplinary program of study focused on the Middle East (including Arabic-speaking North Africa) and South Asia (including Tibet, and mainland and insular Southeast Asia as far east as Vietnam and Indonesia). These regions, though wide in extent and culturally diverse, contain multiple cradles of civilization, and have been linked since antiquity by cultural, religious, and economic networks, both on land (the Silk Road) and sea (the Indian Ocean). Our broad course offering allows students to delve into the complex and subtle ways these areas have been and continue to be responsive to one another and to the rest of the world through art, religion, trade, economy, politics, and media. Within these vectors of investigation are other nested concerns related to gender, human rights, terrorism, civil war, cultural heritage and identity, among others.

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. No more than two language courses can count toward this minor. Students should regularly consult with the Program Director about course substitutions due to changes in departmental offerings, and courses taken abroad.

Distribution

Choose four courses (12-14 credits) from the following areas, with at least one course each 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:

Art History and Literature

Other Humanities

No more than two can be ARAB or SKT.

Social Sciences

Further Courses

Choose two additional MESA-relevant courses (6-8 credits). These courses can come from either (or a combination) of the following two groups:

Any of the courses listed above not completed for the distribution requirement
Any course taught by a MESA-affiliated faculty member that culminates, with permission of the faculty member, in a MESA-relevant final project or paper.

Capstone Experience

MESA 393 (3 credits) is an independent, supervised study taken during the winter term of senior year. The course culminates in a major research paper on a topic proposed by the student and approved by the Program Director and supervising faculty member. Whether MESA 393 is offered during a given academic year will depend on faculty availability and will be determined during the winter term of the preceding academic year. During years when MESA 393 is not offered, students will complete three additional 3- or 4-credit courses under requirement “Further courses”, above, rather than two.

MESA 393 - Capstone in Middle East and South Asia Studies