Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization

Structure of the Concentration

A concentration in Middle Eastern Studies and Islamic Civilization (MESIC) consists of seven (7) courses chosen with the assistance of a MESIC advisor. Three of these courses must focus primarily on the Middle East region. Of these three courses, one (1) course must focus primarily on the history, culture, politics, religion, philosophy, literature, economy, and/or geography of the Arab world or a particular Arab country; one (1) course must focus primarily on the history, culture, politics, religion, philosophy, literature, economy, and/or geography of Israel or the pre-national Jewish community in the Middle East; and one (1) course must focus on any topic relevant to the study of the Middle East. An additional three courses must focus primarily on Islamic civilization. Of these, one (1) course must focus on Islam as a religion; one (1) course must focus on Islam as a broader cultural formation (i.e. as a civilization) and/or the relation of this cultural formation to the West; and one (1) course must focus on any topic relevant to the study of Islamic civilization. The seventh course must be a capstone course in which the student completes a substantial research project focusing primarily on the Middle East and/or Islamic civilization. This capstone requirement may be fulfilled by (a) completing a departmental senior seminar that includes a major paper focused on the Middle East and/or Islamic civilization; (b) a departmental honors project focused on the Middle East and/or Islamic civilization; or (c) an independent study with a MESIC faculty member resulting in a major paper focused on the Middle East and/or Islamic civilization.

In order to ensure interdisciplinarity, students are normally permitted to apply no more than two (2) courses (not including the capstone project) in any one academic department toward satisfying these requirements. Up to two (2) study away courses (not including language courses) may count toward the completion of this element of the concentration.

It is highly recommended that students participate in a MESIC-related study away program in order to experience and study first-hand some of the issues and ideas explored in Macalester courses. It is also strongly recommended that students lacking appropriate language skills (i.e. competence in a language spoken natively by people of the Middle East or the Islamic world) enroll in a MESIC-relevant language. Students should consult with a MESIC advisor regarding specific language programs available to Macalester students.