Middle East Studies
The minor provides an interdisciplinary approach to questions related to the cultural, political, economic, and religious contexts of Middle Eastern countries, and the region’s diasporic communities. Because Middle East studies tend to be interdisciplinary by nature, courses in the program are listed separately under departments. Course offerings can be expanded by special topics within relevant departments, at the discretion of the director.
Why minor in Middle East Studies?
The Middle East Studies minor offers you broad exposure to the issues, developments and phenomena characteristic of the Middle East, along with the opportunity to establish proficiency in languages of the modern Middle East. You’ll be able to use this degree to situate yourself for careers in foreign or civil service, business, non-governmental organizations, and the academy.
Curriculum
All students are required to take MES 100 Middle East: Connections and Conversations (1-credit) course.
Middle East Studies recommends the following distribution for the remaining (elective) 18 credits:
- 6 credits in humanities (Art u0026amp; Art History, English, History, Philosophy, Humanities)
- 6 credits in social sciences (Economics, Global Studies, Sociology, Political Science)
- 6 credits drawn from any combination of courses approved by the program.
Students are also strongly encouraged to study a relevant language (such as Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, Kurdish etc.), credit for which may be transferred in from other institutions. These credits will be counted toward the minor, but only for a maximum of nine (9) of 18 total elective credits.
Courses
The following courses have been approved to satisfy the Middle East studies minor requirements. Other courses, including study-abroad courses and independent studies, may count toward the minor provided their content is sufficiently related to Middle East studies (subject to the director’s approval).
Required Courses
MIDDLE EAST STUDIES
- MES 100 Middle East: Connections and Conversations (1-credit)
Electives (18 credits)
ARABIC
- ARB 101 –Elementary Arabic I
- ARB 102 –Elementary Arabic II
- ARB 103 –Elementary Arabic III
- ARB 201 –Arabic Composition
- ARB 490 –Independent Study in Arabic Language and Culture
ART HISTORY
- ARH 307 From Abraham to Alexander, The Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Middle East
- ARH 444 Sacred Space in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
GLOBAL STUDIES
- GST/ PHL 328: Islamic Philosophy in the Global Context
HISTORY
- HIS 339 Ancient Egypt
- HIS 342 History of the Middle East to 1920
- HIS 345 History of the Modern Middle East
HUMANITIES
- HUM 315 Islam: Origins, Theology, and Practice
PHILOSOPHY
- PHL 480: Philosophy in the Islamic World
POLITICAL SCIENCE
PSC 361 International Politics of the Middle East
PSC 329 Comparative Middle Eastern Politics
Study Abroad Programs
Students are encouraged to spend time in the Middle East, learn languages of the region, and immerse themselves in the diverse cultures of the region. Providence College offers access to several study abroad programs (other programs can be designed in consultation with the program’s director):
Jordan- Amman
- Jordan: Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action (SIT)
- Jordan Study Abroad (CET)
Israel- Haifa
- Haifa Israeli and Middle Eastern Studies (Boston University)
Morocco- Rabat
Morocco: Multiculturalism and Human Rights (SIT)
Morocco: Migration and Transnational Identity (SIT)
Contact the Program Director
Dr. Gizem Zencirci
Middle East Studies Program Director
401.865.2365
fzencirc@providence.edu
Middle East Studies Faculty
Dr. Emann Allebban
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Faculty Profile
401.865.2061
eallebban@providence.edu
Dr. Ruth Ben Artzi
Associate Professor of Political Science
Faculty Profile
401.865.2840
rbenartz@providence.edu
Dr. Joan Branham
Professor of Art History
Faculty Profile
401.865.1789
JBRANHAM@providence.edu
Dr. Vefa Erginbas
Associate Professor of History
Faculty Profile
401.865.1660
erginbas@providence.edu
Dr. Sara Hassani
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Women’s Studies
Faculty Profile
401.865.2773
shassani@providence.edu
Dr. Bilal Ibrahim
Assistant Professor of Global Studies
Faculty Profile
401.865.1323
bibrahim@providence.edu
Dr. Margaret Manchester
Associate Professor of History
Faculty Profile
401.865.2846
mmanch@providence.edu
Dr. Gizem Zencirci
Middle East Studies Program Director
Faculty Profile
401.865.2365
fzencirc@providence.edu
