Loyola's Middle East and Islamic World Studies minor introduces students to the Middle East and Islamic civilization. The minor offers a unique opportunity to think differently about the Middle East, Islam, Muslim societies, and their influence around the world. Through a rigorous interdisciplinary approach, students explore history, culture, politics, and religion across the Middle East and in Muslim societies around the world. Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad in a Middle Eastern or Muslim country and enhance their academic knowledge through real life exposure to Middle Eastern and Islamic cultures.
CURRICULUM
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| |
| Survey of Islamic History | |
| Encountering the Middle East | |
| Encountering the Middle East |
| Encountering the Middle East |
| Politics of the Middle East | |
| Islam | |
| |
| Culture in Africa 1 | |
| Contemporary Cultures of the Middle East | |
| Issues Cultural Anthropology 1 | |
| Arabic I | |
| Arabic 102 | |
| Arabic 103 | |
| Arabic 104 | |
| Advanced Composition And Conversation | |
| Advanced Composition and Conversation II | |
| Experiencing Mesopotamia | |
| Topics in Cinema History | |
| South Asian Literatures in English | |
| Islam and Visual Culture | |
| Survey of Islamic History 2 | |
| Introduction to African History | |
| Topics in History 1 | |
| The Crusades: Christianity and Islam | |
| The Balkans: History, Fiction, Film | |
| Introduction to Islamic History | |
| Modern Middle East | |
| Arab-Israeli Conflict | |
| African History Post-1600 | |
| The History of Islam in Africa | |
| Modern South Asia | |
| The Ottoman Empire: A Global Perspective | |
| Anti-Colonial Resistance in the Twentieth Century | |
| Islam in the African-American Experience | |
| Hindi-Urdu I | |
| Hindi-Urdu II | |
| Hindi-Urdu III | |
| Hindi-Urdu IV | |
| Encountering Africa | |
| Encountering Africa | |
| Encountering Africa | |
| Arabic Literature in Translation | |
| South Asian Literature | |
| World Masterpieces in Translation 1 | |
| Islamic Philosophy | |
| Contemporary Political Issues: Political Theory | |
| Islamic Political Thought | |
| International Relations of Africa | |
| African Politics | |
| Topics in Contemporary Sociology 1 | |
| Hebrew Bible/Old Testament | |
| Judaism | |
| Topics in Islam | |
| Women, Gender and Embodiment in Islam | |
| Contemporary Islamic Thought and Movements | |
| Introductory Urdu I | |
| Introductory Urdu II | |
| Total Hours | 15 |
Additional Requirements
No more than four courses may be taken from any one department. Language courses such as Arabic or Hindi-Urdu at any level may count for up to six units (two courses) of the minor. Up to nine units (three courses) may be shared with any Major or Minor program. Waiver will be offered for courses taken during study abroad in a Middle Eastern or Muslim country.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
Students can begin the Middle East and Islamic World Studies minor at any point in their undergraduate studies, in consultation with their advisor. While there is no set sequence of classes, students are encouraged to take one of the foundational required courses early on, to gain a general understanding of the Middle East or Islamic history and culture. Once students have declared the minor, they are encouraged to contact their academic advisor or the Middle East and Islamic World Studies Program Director for further guidance on how best to progress with their studies.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The minor enables students to appreciate the complexities of the Middle East and the Islamic civilization, and understand the past and present global networks linking these societies to the rest of the world. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students take courses on history, literature, art, language, philosophy, politics, and religion to gain knowledge about the Middle East and contemporary Islamic world.
