Middle Eastern Studies Program

AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJOR AND MINOR

Director: Marlow (Religion)
Advisory Committee: Euben (Political Science), Geller (Religion), Kapteijns (History), MalinoA2 (History and Jewish Studies), Marlow (Religion)
Assistant Professor: Aadnani

The major in Middle Eastern Studies is designed to acquaint students with the many facets of Middle Eastern civilizations through an interdisciplinary study of the languages, literatures, histories, religions, arts, social and political institutions, and cultural patterns of the geographical region known as the Middle East. Study of Middle Eastern communities living in diaspora may also be counted towards the major.

The major in Middle Eastern Studies requires nine units. Students must demonstrate proficiency in Arabic (equivalent to at least two semesters at the second-year level). In certain cases, another Middle Eastern language (for example, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew) may be substituted for Arabic; a student whose area of concentration may render such a substitution appropriate should consult her advisor. No credit towards the major is given for the first year of language study. For students who are exempt from the language requirement, nine units are still necessary for the completion of the major. Students are required to concentrate in some area or aspect of Middle Eastern Studies (for example, Arabic language and literature; religious communities of the Middle East; the medieval Middle East; the modern Middle East; religion and politics in the Middle East) by taking four courses above the 100 level, including at least two at the 300 level, one of which must be a seminar. At least two courses should be taken in each of the Departments of History and Religion.

Majors devise their own programs of study in consultation with an appropriate faculty member from the student’s area of concentration. Courses with an asterisk (*) also require the permission of the instructor if the course is to be counted for Middle Eastern Studies.

In addition to Wellesley courses, students are encouraged to take relevant courses at Brandeis University and at MIT. These courses must be approved toward the major, in advance, by the corresponding department at Wellesley.

A minor in Middle Eastern Studies consists of five units, of which at least one should be at the 300 level (excluding 350). Units must be taken in at least two departments; only one course at the 100 level can be counted towards the minor. Second-year Arabic may be counted towards the minor.

Honors
The only route to honors in the major is writing a thesis and passing an oral examination. To be admitted to the thesis program, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all work in the major field above the 100-level; the Advisory Committee may petition on her behalf if her GPA in the major is between 3.0 and 3.5. See Academic Distinctions.

Procedures for Honors and Application