Middle Eastern Studies (Minor)

Middle Eastern Studies (Minor)
Middle Eastern Studies

What is Middle Eastern studies?

In the Middle Eastern studies minor, you’ll develop an appreciation for the language, history, politics, religions, culture and geography of the region. Many students studying business, education, political science, history or international affairs find knowledge of the Middle East useful in their future careers or graduate studies.

Why study Middle Eastern studies at UNH?

Study abroad opportunities in the Middle East are among the many highlights of the Middle Eastern studies minor at UNH. Throughout the academic year, you’ll have opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities that complement your studies, such as Model UN.

Potential career areas

  • Business
  • Communications
  • Community advocacy
  • Diplomacy
  • Education
  • Foreign service
  • Healthcare
  • International law
  • Journalism
  • Social services
  • Tourism industry
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Curriculum & Requirements

The minor in Middle Eastern studies introduces students to the many facets of Middle Eastern cultures and societies through the interdisciplinary study of languages, history, politics, geography, and anthropology. Minor coursework enables students' understanding of the Middle East as a dynamic region in a global and comparative context. This minor therefore encompasses not only the study of the region itself, but also the flows and circulation of migration, diasporas, refugees, ideas, literatures, social movements, war and natural resources that make the region pivotal to world history and the global economy. In addition, participation in the minor prepares students for study abroad experiences, helps them acquire skills and qualifications for graduate study, and enhances employment opportunities.

Students interested in the minor should contact the coordinator and/or affiliated faculty to discuss their program of study.

Students must receive a grade of C- or better for a course to count toward the minor. Courses for the minor may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Academic Policies - Minors

The Middle Eastern Studies minor requires five courses (20 credits) selected from the list of approved elective courses or from exceptional courses and opportunities approved by the affiliate faculty in respective disciplines. The five-course requirement must include one non-language course.

Elective Courses
Select five courses from the following:20
ANTH 500
Peoples and Cultures of the World (only topic C)
ANTH 640
Anthropology of Islam: Muslims' Everyday Lives in Contemporary Communities
ANTH 700
Internship (only topic A: Preserving Cultural Heritage in Syria and Iraq)
ANTH #750
Islam and Gender: Gendered Lives of Muslims
ARBC 401
Elementary Arabic I
ARBC 402
Elementary Arabic II
ARBC 503
Intermediate Arabic
ARBC 504
Intermediate Arabic
ARBC 631
Advanced Arabic I
ARBC 632
Advanced Arabic II
GEOG #540
Geography of the Middle East
HIST 425
Foreign Cultures
HIST 575
Ancient Near East
HIST 585
Medieval Islam
HUMA 444F
Travelers in the Premodern World
HUMA #730
Special Studies (Symbols of Islam in America)
POLT 559
Comparative Politics of the Middle East
POLT 740
States and Societies in the Middle East
Total Credits20

Foreign Language Study
The study of a Middle Eastern language or language relevant to Middle Eastern studies is strongly encouraged but not required. Students are encouraged and permitted to count Arabic toward the five-course requirement. Students who have studied Hebrew, Turkish, Farsi, or other Middle Eastern languages at other institutions may apply for transfer of their credit toward the minor. Through petition to the minor coordinator and with support of affiliate faculty in the respective discipline, students may apply for European languages, such as French and Italian, to count toward minor requirements, provided these are relevant to their research and study interests in the region.

Transfer or Articulation Agreements with other Institutions
Transfer of credits may be approved by the coordinator to count toward the minor if the transfer is accepted by the University and fits within the scope of the minor.

Completion of Minor
Students interested in the minor should contact the coordinator and/or affiliated faculty to discuss their program of study. At the beginning of the final semester of study at UNH, students should fill out and submit a completion of minor form to their Dean's Office.

Explore Program Details

UNH-Approved Study Abroad Programs in the Middle East

For assistance in planning a study abroad program, visit UNH Global

Egypt

American University Cairo

IFSA Butler

Jordan

CIEE

SIT

ISA

Morocco

CIEE

ISA

SIT

IES

Oman

SIT

Tunisia

SIT

Turkey

CIEE

United Arab Emirates

CIEE

API

India

AIFS

CIEE

Senegal

CIEE

Spain

API

United Kingdom

Arcadia

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