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2011-2012 University Catalog
Middle East and Islamic Studies, MA (pending SCHEV approval)
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Note: As of catalog publication in April, the program described below has been approved by the Board of Visitors and sent to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia for consideration as a new degree program. The university cannot accept applications or enroll students in this program until SCHEV approval has been granted. Check the college/school web site for current program status.
Banner Code: LA-MS-MEIS
The interdisciplinary MA in Middle East and Islamic studies introduces students to the major methodological and theoretical issues and debates in the study of the Islamic tradition and Middle Eastern societies. Students study classical and contemporary topics from both regional and global perspectives.
The expressed goal of this program is to situate the study of the Middle East and Islam within a globalized world. Accordingly, the curriculum covers topics of recent scholarly significance including the new media, political Islam, the political economy of business-government networks, the relationship between “resource wars” and the “war on terrorism,” new diasporas and transnational Muslim communities in the ‘West,’ and the changed geopolitical environments of Muslim and Middle Eastern countries.
This interdisciplinary graduate degree prepares students for a variety of post-graduate opportunities in academia, government, and an expanding job market for people with this expertise. |
Five core courses (15 credits)
Five elective courses (15 credits)
Students should focus their electives around an area of interest and in preparation for the major research paper they will be required to produce in the core course HIST 751. Up to 3 elective courses may come from outside the area of Middle East and Islamic studies if they are focused on a related career path in security or management/development, as suggested below. Students who choose to write a thesis apply those credits to the 15 elective credits.
In addition to the list below, elective courses may include special topics courses when relevant, directed readings and research, study abroad courses, and internships. Focus in security (9 credits)
Focus in law and security (9 credits)
Focus in development and management (9 credits)
Language proficiency
Students must demonstrate evidence of advanced professional competency in a second language (other than English) that is relevant to the Middle East or Islamic Studies. Evidence of language competency may be demonstrated through testing by Language Testing International. Thesis (3 or 6 credits) (optional)
Students have an option of completing a thesis as part of their degree program. Students who choose the thesis option take 3 or 6 fewer credits of electives. |
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