Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies

98-99 University Bulletin Entry for:

(file last updated: [8/10/1998 - 15:24:42])

Objectives

The IMES concentration is aninterdisciplinary curriculum sponsored by the Department of NearEastern and Judaic Studies in conjunction with the faculty fromseveral other departments. It is designed to provide a strongfoundation in Middle Eastern studies with a specialized knowledgeof Islam. The concentration requires students to take electivecourses from the departments represented by the faculty committee.Key contributing departments, besides Near Eastern and JudaicStudies, include politics, history, economics, sociology, Africanand Afro-American studies, and anthropology. With a solid trainingin language, political theory and praxis, history, economics,sociology, and anthropology, the concentration is especially appropriatefor students wishing to pursue graduate work, particularly inthe field of Middle Eastern studies, or for those who wish topursue careers dealing directly or indirectly with the MiddleEast.

How to Become a Concentratoror Program Member

The student who wishes to concentratein Islamic and Middle Eastern studies must take the core coursein Islamic civilization (IMES 104a) and at least two full yearsof a Middle Eastern language. The two years of language may becomprised of either two years of Arabic or, alternatively, oneyear of Arabic and one year of another Middle Eastern language,such as Persian or Hebrew. In addition, with the goal of achievinga balanced understanding of the overall field of study, the studentmust take two courses in the classical period and two coursesin the modern, as well as four courses to be chosen from the wideintellectual variety of elective courses. Study in the MiddleEast for a term or a year is encouraged. As a culmination of thestudent's education, he or she is encouraged to write a seniorthesis, with emphasis on some aspect of Islamic and Middle Easternstudies.

The student who wishes to completethe program in Islamic and Middle Eastern studies must take thecore course in Islamic civilization (IMES 104a) and at least onefull year of a Middle Eastern language. In addition, the studentmust take one course in the classical period and one in the modern,as well as two courses to be chosen from the variety of electivecourses.

Committee

Avigdor Levy, Chair

(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Tzvi Abusch

(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Seyom Brown

(Politics)

Olga Davidson

(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Gordon Fellman

(Sociology)

Judith Irvine

(Anthropology)

Leonard Muellner

(Classical Studies)

Yitzhak Nakash

(Near Eastern and Judaic Studies)

Wellington Nyangoni

(African and Afro-AmericanStudies)

Benson Saler

(Anthropology)

Barney Schwalberg

(Economics)

Ibrahim Sundiata

(African and Afro-AmericanStudies)

Luis Yglesias

(Romance and Comparative Literature)

Requirements for the Concentration

A.Either four semesters of Arabic (usually ARBC 10a, 20b, 30a, and40b) or two semesters of Arabic and two semesters of another MiddleEastern language such as Persian (PRSN 10a and 20b) or Hebrew(HBRW 10a and 20b).

B.Core course: IMES 104a (Islam: Civilization and Institutions).

C.At least two courses pertaining to the classical period from thefollowing electives: NEJS 103a, 103b, 128a, 128b, 144a, 147a,PRSN 30a.

D.At least two courses pertaining to the modern period from thefollowing electives: HIST 184a, NEJS 143b, 144b, 145b, 147b, 157a,195b, SOC 157a.

E.Four additional courses from the list of electives below.

Requirements for the Program

A.Two semesters of a Middle Eastern language.

B.Core course: IMES 104a (Islam: Civilization and Institutions).

C.At least one course pertaining to the classical period from thefollowing electives: NEJS 103a and b, 128a, 128b, 144a, 147a,PRSN 30a.

D.At least one course pertaining to the modern period from the followingelectives: HIST 184a, NEJS 143b, 144b, 145b, 147b, 157a, 195b,SOC 157a.

E.Two additional courses from the list of electives below.

Courses of Instruction

(1-99) Primarily for UndergraduateStudents

IMES 98a Independent Study

Signature of the instructorrequired.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

IMES 98b Independent Study

Signature of the instructorrequired.

Usually offered every year.

Staff

(100-199) For Both Undergraduateand Graduate Students

IMES 104a Islam: Civilizationand Institutions

[ cl³⁸ nwhum ]

This course considers majorissues in Islamic history, providing an appreciation of Islamicreligion, civilization, and culture. Topics include Islam's relationswith other civilizations and its role in contemporary society.Usually offered in odd years.

Mr. Levy

Elective Courses

The following courses are approvedfor the program. Not all are given in any one year, so the CourseSchedule for each semester should be consulted.

AAAS 60a

Economics of Third World Hunger

AAAS 80a

Economy and Society in Africa

AAAS 123a

Third World Ideologies

AAAS 126b

Political Economy of the ThirdWorld

AAAS 163b