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Middle East Studies

College of Humanities


6

Average
Class Size

21

Declared
Majors

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Bennion
Center

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Hinckley
Institute

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Learning Abroad

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

Take Middle East Studies Electives such as:

  • 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

Community

Getting Started

Making Progress

Finishing Up

Knowledge & Skills

Getting Started

Making Progress

Finishing Up

Transformation

Getting Started

Making Progress

Finishing Up

Impact

Getting Started

Making Progress

Finishing Up

Careers

Getting Started

Making Progress

Finishing Up

Start Your Career Journey


Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)

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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.

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.

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BUS

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ARTH

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MATH

Mathematics
Last Updated: 4/12/22