Middle East Studies
Bennion
Center
Hinckley
Institute
Learning Abroad
21
Declared
Majors
6
Average
Class Size
Courses
Getting Started
- Take MIDE 1000 - Intro to the Middle East or MIDE 2780 - Religiosity in the Middle East & US
- Begin language coursework at the 1010 level; check with an advisor if you have previous language experience
- Participate in the Middle East Club
Making Progress
- Continue language coursework
- Take CLAC courses
- Take MIDE 4107 - Model Arab League
- Earn credit through learning abroad or completing a global internship
- HIST 3400 - Middle East Since 1914
- MIDE 3713 - Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East
- FILM 3250 - Arab Cinema
- POLS 3440 - Comparative Politics of the Middle East
Finishing Up
- Complete 5000+ level courses
- Finish language courses
- Complete your required Signature Experience
Community
Getting Started
- Attend a club meeting with Middle East Club or Model UN
- Live on the Go Global Floor
- Follow U of U Middle East Center on Facebook for events & on Instagram @uofu.ias
Making Progress
- Apply to live in the Humanities House
- Join a club & participate consistently
- Volunteer with the International Rescue Committee or Bennion Center
- Become a peer mentor or an ambassador for international students with the International Student Scholar Services Office
- Get involved with the Emerging Leaders Initiative of Utah
Finishing Up
- Get involved with the Alumni Association
- Apply for leadership within ASUU or campus clubs
- Apply to be an Alternative Break Student Site Leader with the Bennion Center
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Meet with an academic advisor every semester
- Explore double majors & minors
- Attend a scholarship workshop
- Visit the Knowledge Commons in the Marriott Library
- Work on essays at the Writing Center
- Select complementary Gen Ed courses
Making Progress
- Try job shadowing & conduct informational interviews
- Apply for a local internship through the Hinckley Institute of Politics
- Meet with the College of Humanities Internship Coordinator
- Take a research methods course related to your interests
- Attend an Office of Undergraduate Research Workshop & apply for research opportunities through UROP
- Create your graduation plan
- Declare a second major or minor if desired
- Attend Marriott Library workshops
Finishing Up
- Attend or present research at an academic conference
- Seek mentoring opportunities with professionals
- Take a test prep course for your graduate school applications (GRE, GMAT, etc.) at Continuing Education and Community Engagement
Transformation
Getting Started
- Participate in a Bennion Center Saturday Service Project
- Utilize faculty office hours
- Attend a Learning Abroad 101 session
- Attend Hinckley Forums
Making Progress
- Go on an Alternative Break or Learning Abroad trip
- Chat about goal-setting outside of the classroom with your advisor
- Apply for fellowships (Goff, Sorenson, Sustainability Scholars, etc.)
- Attend the Learning Abroad Returnee Student Panel
- Compete in HIP Talks at the Hinckley Institute
- Identify a faculty mentor
- Take a Hinckley course - HNKLY 4914
Finishing Up
- Apply for the Oxford Human Rights Consortium
- Apply for post-grad fellowships
- Complete a global internship
- Submit to the Hinckley Journal
Impact
Getting Started
- Live in the first year Gail Miller Community Engaged Learning Tower
- Brainstorm a list of topics you care about
- Connect to campus events & use your Arts Pass
- Attend MUSE Casual Fridays
Making Progress
- Apply to the Bennion Scholars Program
- Identify a community or topic where you want to make an impact
- Seek out leadership opportunities through Student Leadership and Involvement
- Apply to be a MUSE Scholar
- Work with your faculty mentor on an impact project
- Connect with a MUSE professor
Finishing Up
- Complete the Bennion Scholars Capstone
- Apply for Presidential Ambassadorship
- Become a mentor for other students
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate your Handshake account
- Find different career paths at the Going Global Career Panel
- Visit the CPDC
- Explore careers through CPDC workshops, Meet & Eat, & Career Treks
Making Progress
- Apply for a job on campus
- Make internship connections with networkers at the Going Global Career Panel
- Attend the Career Fair
- Draft your resume & use walk-in hours for feedback at CPDC
- Speak with your advisor about alumni you can connect with
- Create a LinkedIn Profile & review alumni profiles
- Register for HUM 3960 - Humanities Career Compass
- Meet with a Career Coach
Finishing Up
- Join Forever Utah
- Network for career paths & future job opportunities at the Going Global Career Panel
- Attend the Career Conference
- Practice mock interviews
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
The Middle East Studies major at the University of Utah is home to a close-knit community of students and faculty dedicated to the study of the Middle East. The program focuses on developing competencies in language, culture, history, and politics and connects students with experiential learning opportunities.
In this major, you will develop descriptive, analytical, and methodological tools to help understand the regions and cultures of the Middle East. With coursework grounded in language, you will gain or expand on your proficiency in Arabic or Persian. You will also select a variety of Middle East-focused classes from across campus. This interdisciplinary approach helps you build a deep knowledge of the region and provides the flexibility to tailor your studies to suit your interests, passions, and future goals; you can pair this major with pre-health courses, a minor, a second major, and/or exciting co-curricular activities.
You will be able to practice your critical language and cultural skills through first-hand experience by studying abroad, taking an intensive language program, and/or partaking in local and national competitions with the Model Arab League. These experiences build foundations for careers in public affairs, foreign service, business, and many other fields. With a degree in Middle East Studies, you will be prepared to effectively interact with diverse populations; understand cultures, backgrounds, and languages; and provide valuable contributions to their communities.
In this major, you will develop descriptive, analytical, and methodological tools to help understand the regions and cultures of the Middle East. With coursework grounded in language, you will gain or expand on your proficiency in Arabic or Persian. You will also select a variety of Middle East-focused classes from across campus. This interdisciplinary approach helps you build a deep knowledge of the region and provides the flexibility to tailor your studies to suit your interests, passions, and future goals; you can pair this major with pre-health courses, a minor, a second major, and/or exciting co-curricular activities.
You will be able to practice your critical language and cultural skills through first-hand experience by studying abroad, taking an intensive language program, and/or partaking in local and national competitions with the Model Arab League. These experiences build foundations for careers in public affairs, foreign service, business, and many other fields. With a degree in Middle East Studies, you will be prepared to effectively interact with diverse populations; understand cultures, backgrounds, and languages; and provide valuable contributions to their communities.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop or expand proficiency in Arabic or Persian in order to navigate a Middle Eastern nation and communicate with its people.
- Build a base of Middle East-oriented knowledge, skills, and global awareness that equips you for an international career.
- Demonstrate an understanding of history, cultures, politics, and fundamental ideas and institutions of the Middle East.
- Analyze and communicate about contemporary issues of the Middle East and/or Middle Eastern Diasporas through a critical, interdisciplinary lens.
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.