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.
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 credits) 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);
- four courses (16 credits) 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;
- OR two language courses (8 credits) 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 if students complete the Intermediate II level) AND two non-language courses (8 credits) with a C or better (all courses must be offered or cross-listed by the department and approved by the director of undergraduate studies or a departmental adviser).
Only the non-language minor can be used to satisfy the Expressive Culture requirement of the College Core Curriculum.
For the Advanced Language Title, please contact the Language Program Coordinator of your requested language (Arabic, Turkish, Persian, Urdu, and Hindi).
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 |
Combined Track
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| 4 |
| Total Credits | 16 |
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 credits) toward the major or up to two transfer courses (8 credits) 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.
For non-NYU study abroad programs, students must contact the DUS for approval before making any plans. Without prior DUS and/or language program coordinator approval, any non-NYU program study abroad courses will be directly rejected.
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.