Program Description
The Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (MEIS) focuses on the past and present of a vast and culturally diverse region of the world that extends from North Africa to Central Asia and from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean. It adopts interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to Middle Eastern societies from antiquity to the present, with particular focus on the period after the emergence of Islam. The department offers students the opportunity to master one of the regional languages, including Arabic, Hindi, Persian, Turkish, and Urdu. Students also acquire an interdisciplinary understanding of this pivotal area of the world by studying with the department’s specialists in history, anthropology, political science, literature, law, religious studies, and language.
Awards
The department offers the following awards for excellence:
- The Baba-e-Urdu Prize, for excellence in Urdu studies
- The Rumi-Biruni Prize, for excellence in Persian studies
- The Evliya Chelebi Prize, for excellence in Turkish studies
- The Ibn Khaldun Prize, for excellence in Arabic studies
- The Premchand Prize, for excellence in Hindi studies
- The Jordan Curley Memorial Writing Prize
Minor Declaration
To request declaration of a minor, CAS students should visit the host department. To request declaration of a cross-school minor, CAS students should complete the online Minor Application available in their Albert Student Center. Students may also use the Minor Application in Albert to request cancellation of a CAS or cross-school minor.
Program Requirements
Students who wish to minor in Middle Eastern Studies must complete either:
- four non-language courses (16 points) with a C or better, including one of the department's designated core courses (all courses must be offered or cross-listed by the department and approved by the director of undergraduate studies or a departmental adviser);
- or four courses (16 points) with a C or better in Arabic, Persian, or Turkish; these courses can be in any sequence, and can also be used to satisfy the CAS foreign language requirement.
The non-language minor can be used to satisfy the Expressive Culture requirement of the College Core Curriculum.
Non-Language Track
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 4 |
| The Making of The Muslim Middle East, 600 - 1400 | |
| Mediterranean Worlds | |
| The Emergence of The Modern Middle East | |
| Palestine, Zionism, & Israel | |
| Literature & Society in the Middle East | |
| Women and Gender in Islam | |
| Politics of The Middle East | |
| Islamic Law & Society | |
| |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Language Track
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 1 | |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
Minor in South Asian Studies
The minor in South Asian Studies (SAS) is housed in the Department of History. Please see South Asian Studies (Minor) for more information.
Policies
Program Policies
Policy on Transfer and NYU Study Away (Global) Credits (Major and Minor)
After consultation with the director of undergraduate studies, transfer students may be allowed to apply up to five transfer courses (20 points) toward the major or up to two transfer courses (8 points) toward the minor. At least half of the major and minor courses must always be completed in CAS.
NYU study away/Global courses (e.g., NYU Abu Dhabi) may be considered and treated as transfer credits, even for students matriculated in CAS. Majors and minors in Middle Eastern Studies should discuss their study away plans with the director of undergraduate studies.
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
College of Arts and Science Policies
A full list of relevant academic policies can be found on the CAS Academic Policies page.