Middle East and Islamic Studies (Minor)
Offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the languages, cultures, religions and politics of the Middle East. Students study Arabic, Islamic thought, history and contemporary issues like oil, refugees and global politics. This flexible minor complements majors in humanities, social sciences or global studies and prepares graduates for work in diplomacy, policy, education or international NGOs.
This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.
Minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Academic Plan Code(s): MEISMINOR
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities | ||
| One course in Arabic at the 200 level or above | 3 | |
| One additional Humanities course, selected from the following: | 3 | |
Additional coursework in Arabic (200 level or above) | ||
HUM 306 | Survey of Islamic Thought, Religion and Culture | |
HUM 313 | Introduction to the Qur'an | |
HUM 316 | Modern Islamic Thought | |
HUM/PAS 349 | African Americans & Islam | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Two Social Sciences courses, selected from the following list: | 6 | |
ANTH 319 | Cultures of the Middle East | |
HIST 341 | The Ancient Near East | |
HIST 356 | Islamic Middle East | |
HIST 360 | The Origins of Islam | |
HIST 503 | Advanced Studies in History | |
HIST 594 | Studies in Middle Eastern History - WR | |
POLS 355 | Introduction to Middle East Politics | |
POLS 356 | Political Islam | |
POLS 363 | Politics of Oil | |
PAS/HUM 349 | African Americans and Islam | |
| Middle East and Islamic Studies Electives | ||
| Two additional courses, selected from the following list: | 6 | |
ANTH 319 | Cultures of the Middle East | |
ANTH 338 | Anthropology of Refugees | |
HIST 310 | Studies in History 1 | |
HIST 341 | The Ancient Near East | |
HIST 344 | Introduction to Ancient Egypt. | |
HIST 345 | Culture of the Ancient Near East | |
HIST 356 | Islamic Middle East | |
HIST 357 | Middle Eastern History, 1453 to the Present - WR | |
HIST 360 | The Origins of Islam | |
HIST 362 | The United States and the Middle East | |
HIST 369 | French Empire | |
HIST 503 | Advanced Studies in History | |
HIST 594 | Studies in Middle Eastern History - WR | |
HUM 306 | Survey of Islamic Thought, Religion and Culture | |
HUM 220 | Introduction to Jewish Cultures - AH, P2 | |
HUM 312 | New Testament | |
HUM 313 | Introduction to the Qur'an | |
HUM 316 | Modern Islamic Thought | |
HUM/PAS 349 | African Americans & Islam | |
HUM 383 | The Mediterranean and Culture | |
HUM 514 | Perspectives on Religious Coexistence and Conflict | |
POLS 355 | Introduction to Middle East Politics | |
POLS 356 | Political Islam | |
POLS 363 | Politics of Oil | |
| Minimum Total Hours | 18 | |
At least three (3) semester hours of the requirements for a minor must be successfully completed while enrolled in the University of Louisville.
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May be used as a MEIS elective when its topic is appropriate and approved by the MEIS director.