3420 Middle East Studies

Programs Offered:

  1. Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with a Concentration in Middle East Studies
  2. Minor in Middle East Studies
  3. Minor in Arabic Language and Literature

Middle East Institute
34 Peachtree St., 20th Floor
404/413-6140
www.gsu.edu/mideast

Michael Herb, Director

Through the Middle East Institute students have opportunities to engage in the interdisciplinary field of Middle East Studies. The Institute offers an extensive Middle East language program, including Arabic, Turkish and Hebrew. Students may complete a major or BIS degree in Middle East Studies. MEI faculty members lead study abroad programs to the region, including Egypt, and Turkey.

The Middle East Institute facilitates projects in the region across the university; key foci include training in journalism and English as a second language. The MEI sponsors a dynamic set of activities, including a lecture series and cultural performances, focused on achieving greater understanding of the rich and varied cultures of the Middle East. For more information visit: www.gsu.edu/mideast.

This program provides an opportunity for students to explore the interdisciplinary field of Middle East Studies. Students select from a variety of courses on the Middle East offered in a range of disciplines, including religious studies, political science, history, geography, women's studies and art history. Students are required to study Arabic, Turkish, Hebrew, or another appropriate Middle East language. This major is designed to prepare students for further graduate study in the field or for careers in government, the non-profit sector, or the military. If interested, please contact Dr. Michael Herb, director of the Middle East Institute at 404/413-6140 or herb@gsu.edu.

Program Admission

A 2.0 Georgia State University GPA is required in order to apply to the program. Application materials can be obtained from the Office of Academic Assistance, 418 General Classroom Building, 404/413-5000. Students should apply to the program by the time they have earned 42 credit hours to avoid a delay in graduation. Application materials can be obtained from the Office of Academic Assistance (404/413-5000) or on the Middle East Institute's website: www.gsu.edu/mideast.

Program Degree Requirements

Please refer to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies section 3030.30 of this catalog for academic regulations for this program.

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

Courses used to fulfill the two Critical Thinking Through Writing (CTW) courses for each B.I.S. program will not count towards the rules of Area G — no more than three to four 3-4 credit hour courses (12 hours) from a single discipline — nor of Area H — no more than two 3-4 credit hour courses (6-8 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

Program Financial Information

Effective summer 2009, lab fees will be assessed automatically for students who register for certain courses. As a result, students will no longer be required to purchase lab fee cards. For more information, please feel free to contact the department. For a complete list of courses and their respective fees, go to General Registration Information at www.gsu.edu/es/20272.html.

B.I.S. with a Concentration in Middle East Studies

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18)

  1. Language: competency in Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, or another Middle Eastern language through 2002 level is required (12-16)
  2. Middle East Studies courses chosen in consultation with adviser. (3-6)
    Suggested courses:

Area G: Area of Concentration (27-33)

No more than three to four 3-4 credit hour courses (12 hours) can be taken within a single discipline.

  1. Required Course to fulfill CTW requirement (3)
  2. Required Course to fulfill CTW requirement (3)
  3. Select two courses (6-8)
  4. Fifteen to nineteen hours taken at the 3000 level or above from the Middle East Studies course list below.

New courses are regularly added to this list, please check with the Middle East Institute for the most recent list of courses.

Area H: Allied Field (15-21)

No more than two 3-4 credit hour courses (6-8 hours) can be taken within a single discipline. In consultation with the adviser, students choose courses in from two or more departments.

Area J: Electives

Electives are used to build the hours in Areas G-J to 60 hours, have 39 hours at Georgia State University taken at the 3000-4000 level for residency, and complete 120 hours required for graduation.

Study Abroad

Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program to the region. Currently MEI faculty members conduct summer programs to Egypt and Turkey. Students may also study abroad in the region on semester and year-long programs.

Minor in Middle East Studies

Select 15 semester hours from the following courses:

Whenever possible, students should register for cross-listed courses using the MES course number.