Undergraduate Course Catalog 2012-2013

College of Liberal Arts

» http://www.unh.edu/liberal-arts/

http://www.unh.edu/colaminors/middle-east

The minor in Middle Eastern studies will acquaint students with the many facets of Middle Eastern civilizations through the interdisciplinary study of languages, history, politics, geography, and anthropology. Minor coursework will enable students to understand the Middle East as a dynamic region in a global and comparative context. Middle Eastern studies thus encompasses not only the study of the region itself, but also the flows 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 will prepare students for study abroad experiences, help students acquire skills and qualifications for graduate study, and enhance employment opportunities.

Minor Requirements
The Middle Eastern studies minor requires five courses (20 credits) drawn from the list of approved courses or from exceptional courses and opportunities approved by the affiliate faculty in respective disciplines. The five-course requirement will include one general introductory course chosen from the following:

    HIST 425: Islamic Cultures and Civilizations
    ANTH 550C: Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
    GEOG 540: Geography of the Middle East
    POLT 559: Comparative Politics of the Middle East

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.

Foreign Language Study: The study of a Middle Eastern 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 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 credits may be approved by the coordinator to count toward the minor if the transfer credit is accepted by the University and fits within the scope of the minor.

Students interested in the minor should contact the coordinator and/or affiliated faculty to discuss their program of study. The coordinator, Jeannie Sowers, may be reached at jeannie.sowers@unh.edu, (603) 862-1752.