The Program

The Five College Certificate Program in Middle Eastern Studies complements any undergraduate major with focused multidisciplinary studies and linguistic attainments, drawing on the expertise and courses of over twenty-five faculty members from across the consortium as well as numerous study abroad and international programs. Students pursing the certificate consult with an advisor to devise a unique course of study to meet their intellectual, academic and professional preparation needs. Learn more about finding an advisor, courses and certificate information at www.fivecolleges.edu/middleeast.

The Program is administered by the Five College Middle Eastern Studies Committee, which includes faculty advisors from each participating campus.

In addition to exploring the range of courses offered at the Five Colleges, students are encouraged to spend time in the Middle East, learning Arabic and other languages and immersing themselves in the culture of the area. Plans for study abroad should be designed in consultation with a certificate advisor. Courses from outside the Five Colleges can be counted toward the certificate requirements on the recommendation of the advisor and the approval of the committee. 

Requirements
1. Knowledge equivalent to at least two years of college-level study of a Middle Eastern language, such as Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Persian, and Armenian. Learn more about courses offered for Arabic, Modern Hebrew as well as other relevant languages at www.fivecolleges.edu/languages. This requirement may be fulfilled through course completion or by examination.

2. Two introductory courses providing an overview of Middle Eastern history. One course must be in the pre-modern period (600-1500 CE) and one course must be in the modern period (1500-present).

3. Five courses from the following categories. Students must take at least one course from each of the groups.

  • Group one: Religion and Philosophy
  • Group two: Literature, Art, and Language study beyond what is required to satisfy the language requirement above.
  • Group three: History and Social Sciences

4. Students must receive a grade of B or better in every course counted towards the Certificate.


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