MENASBA - Middle Eastern and North African Studies
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Program Type
Bachelor of Arts
College
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Career
Undergraduate
Program Availability
This program will no longer accept new applicants beginning Summer 2026.
Program Description
Nearly half a billion people call this region home, and yet the cultures and politics remain a mystery to the West. Enhance your knowledge of this integral part of the world. Middle East and North African Studies employs an interdisciplinary approach to learning about all aspects of this region. The Bachelor of Arts focuses on instruction in the principal languages of the area (Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Hebrew) and includes coursework in religion, political science, history, literature, geography, sociology, archaeology, linguistics and architecture. Students seek degrees in this department out of a genuine interest in this part of the world, often on a professional path to government service, academics, a position in international business or as preparation for advanced study in this or other fields.
Learning Outcomes
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to identify the major historical periods, figures, and movements that have shaped the Middle East and North Africa from 600 C.E. to the present.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to compare and contrast the various social, cultural, religious, geographic and linguistic milieus of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to critically evaluate popular, political and/or media discussions of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to analyze and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources in order to develop and write a research paper.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to achieve proficiency at the intermediate level in one of the languages of the Middle East and North Africa (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish). Communicative proficiency is defined in accordance with the Standards for foreign language learning as developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These are further analyzed below: i. To communicate in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) languages, both orally and in writing, by engaging in interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational communication activities (Communication). ii. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the MENA cultures through language activities such as written essays and oral presentations on cultural topics (Culture). iii. To make meaningful cross-cultural comparisons between two or more of the MENA cultures (Comparisons).
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to compare and contrast the various social, cultural, religious, geographic and linguistic milieus of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to critically evaluate popular, political and/or media discussions of the Middle East and North Africa.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to analyze and synthesize information from primary and secondary sources in order to develop and write a research paper.
- Students who earn a BA in MENAS will be able to achieve proficiency at the intermediate level in one of the languages of the Middle East and North Africa (Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, or Turkish). Communicative proficiency is defined in accordance with the Standards for foreign language learning as developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). These are further analyzed below: i. To communicate in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) languages, both orally and in writing, by engaging in interpersonal, interpretative, and presentational communication activities (Communication). ii. To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the MENA cultures through language activities such as written essays and oral presentations on cultural topics (Culture). iii. To make meaningful cross-cultural comparisons between two or more of the MENA cultures (Comparisons).