The Minor in Middle Eastern Studies introduces students to the historical, religious, and political trends that have shaped the Middle East, a region broadly defined as extending from Morocco to Iran. The interdisciplinary approach of the minor allows students to examine this diverse region from multiple perspectives and to gain a broad understanding of its cultural richness and complexity.

A balanced and informed understanding of the Middle East is especially useful to students interested in seeking careers in fields such as business, diplomacy, education, foreign service, healthcare, international law, international relations, journalism, or tourism.

Course Requirements for the Minor

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required of all candidates for this minor.

Language Competency

A minimum second-semester competency in Middle Eastern language is required for the Minor in Middle Eastern Studies. Students interested in another language spoken by populations in the Middle East can fulfill this requirement by successfully completing the equivalent of two semesters in the language from an accredited program either in the United States or through study abroad. Students who are native or heritage speakers of the languages, and those student who studied them elsewhere, including California State University, Chico students who participated in exchange programs and study abroad, are required to meet with the program advisor.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
Select four to eight units to meet language competency from the following:		4-8
ARAB 101A & ARAB 102A	Beginning Arabic I and Beginning Arabic II
Students may attain second-semester proficiency in a different language spoken by populations in the Middle East through study abroad, National Student Exchange (NSE), or CSU Fully Online. Examples of other Middle Eastern languages often taught in the US and Europe include: Armenian, modern Hebrew, Kurdish, Persian (Farsi), and Turkish.
Select two of the following:		6
MEST/HIST 362	Middle Eastern Empires
MEST/HIST 362W	Middle Eastern Empires (W)
MEST/HIST 363	The Modern Middle East
Select three of the following:		9
ANTH 377	Anthropology of the Islamic World
ANTH 377W	Anthropology of the Islamic World (W)
HIST/MEST 261/RELS 202	Islam and the World
HIST 309	Romans of the East: The Byzantine Empire
HIST 361/MEST 302/RELS 302	Muhammad and the Qur'an
HIST 409W	The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire: Christians, Romans, and Barbarians (W)
HIST 463	Islamic Civilization
MJIS/RELS 204W	The Stories of Judaism (W)
POLS 446	Politics of the Middle East
RELS 100	Introduction to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
RELS 306	Roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
RELS 308	Judaism, Christianity, and Islam since the Crusades
Total Units		19-23