The Minor in Middle East Studies

Carleton offers an interdisciplinary minor in Middle East Studies designed for students who want to develop a broad, integrated understanding of the Middle East through courses drawn from multiple departments and disciplines.

The minor provides a framework for interdisciplinary study of the Middle East, bringing together different modes of analysis—historical, political, religious, literary, cultural, and artistic. Rather than approaching the region from a single disciplinary perspective, students learn to think comparatively and to understand how multiple analytical frameworks inform one another.

Why Minor in Middle East Studies?

The Middle East Studies minor complements majors in Religion, Political Science, History, Music, and related fields by allowing students to situate their disciplinary coursework within a wider regional and comparative context. It is also well suited for students in other majors who seek a deeper global or cross-cultural perspective.

The minor pairs especially well with the Arabic minor and the Hebrew language sequence, enabling students to connect language study with broader historical, cultural, political, and literary perspectives on the Middle East.

Structure of the Minor

The Middle East Studies minor requires a total of 45 credits, distributed across three components: foundational coursework, supporting courses drawn from two broad areas, and a senior capstone seminar. The structure of the minor ensures both coherence and interdisciplinary breadth, while allowing flexibility in course selection. Check the Minor Requirements page for full details.

Additional Notes and Advising

  • The Middle East Studies minor does not have a language requirement. Students considering graduate study or careers related to the Middle East are nevertheless strongly encouraged to pursue one of the Middle Eastern languages offered at Carleton, Arabic or Hebrew.
  • No more than 24 credits may be taken from any one department, ensuring the interdisciplinary character of the minor.

Students are encouraged to consult with the Middle East Studies director when planning their coursework, particularly if they wish to integrate study abroad, language study, or a focused thematic pathway.