For More Information

Yusuf Sarfati

Department of Politics and Government

403D Schroeder Hall

Campus Box 4600

(309) 438-5785

Department of Politics and Government

405 Schroeder Hall

Campus Box 4600

(309) 438-3709

Minor in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies

The Minor Program in Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies provides the students with an exciting opportunity to study the history, politics, economics, cultures, and literatures in the Middle Eastern and South Asian countries from an interdisciplinary perspective.

By taking courses from multiple disciplines as part of the program, the students will

• explore the cultures, literatures, and belief systems in the Middle East and South Asia from a comparative perspective;
• become familiar with the complex social, economic and political challenges the governments and societies of the regions face;
• examine the daily struggles of and cultural hierarchies between diverse groups that form the demographic mosaic of both regions;
• critically analyze different layers of United States’ engagement with countries in the Middle East and South Asia.

                                                                                                                                                                                            Image Credit: Jonathan Rashad

Program Requirements:

To complete the minor, students are required to take a core of three courses in history, politics, and geography, as well as four elective courses. Elective courses can be chosen from the social sciences (Criminal Justice Sciences, Economics, Geography, History, Politics and Government and Sociology), and/or from the humanities (English, Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, and Philosophy).

— 21 hours required.
— Required core courses (9 hours): GEO 235.04; HIS 104.04 or 104.05, or 272; POL 245, 247 or 345.
— Choose 4 courses (12 hours) from the following (if not already taken for credit): CJS 369; ECO 205, 245; ENG 255, 261, 352*; ENG 206 or LAN 206; HIS 270, 271, 272, 307*, 378; IDS 203.20, 203.25; PHI 207, 208; POL 225, 254, 345*, 349; SOC 268.
— NOTE: No more than 9 hours may be selected from the student’s first or second major department.

*Discuss with the advisor before taking these topics courses; only topics relevant to Middle Eastern or South Asian studies may count towards this minor.

Other courses approved by the director may be counted toward the minor.

Participation in Middle Eastern or South Asian universities through Illinois State University or alternative study abroad programs, while not required, is strongly encouraged. Students can accumulate up to 6 credit hours of electives.

List of the Courses

1. CJS 369, “World Criminal Justice Systems”
2. ECO 205, “Economic Development & Growth”
3. ECO 245, “The International Economy”
4. ENG 206, “Cultural Expressions in Social Contexts: Women of Asia, Latin America & Africa”
5. ENG 255, “Modern Global Literature”
6. ENG 261, “Women’s Literature in a Global Context”
7. ENG 352, “Selected Figures in Global Literature”
8. GEO 235.04, “Geography of Emerging Areas: Middle East”
9. HIS 104.4, “History of the Middle East”
10. HIS 104.5, “History of South Asia”
11. HIS 270, “World Religions/Worldviews”
12. HIS 271, “Islamic Civilization”
13. HIS 272, “Modern Middle East”
14. HIS 307*, “Selected Topics in Non-Western History” (When the topic is MESA related)
15. HIS 378, “Islam”
16. LAN 206,“Cultural Expressions in Social Contexts: Women of Asia, Latin America & Africa”
17. IDS 223.20, “Nations and Narration Amali: Middle East”
18. IDS 223.25, “Nations and Narration Amali: South Asia”
19. PHI 207, “Indian Philosophy”
20. PHI 208, “Buddhist Philosophy”
21. POL 225, “Women in Politics”
22. POL 245, “Asian Politics” (when the region is South Asia)
23. POL 254, “Global Issues”
24. POL 345*, “Topics in Asian Politics” (when the region is South Asia)
25. POL 247, “Introduction to Middle Eastern Politics”
26. POL 349*, “Topics in Middle East Politics”
27. SOC 268, “Sociology of Religion”

*The course can be taken more than once, if the topic is different

Affiliated Faculty

• Issam Nassar, Department of History
• Jannice Lee Jayes, Department of History
• Sudipa Topdar, Department of History
• Krishna Manavalli, Department of English
• Rebecca Saunders, Department of English
• Reecia Orzeck, Department of Geography and Geology
• Daniel Breyer, Department of Philosophy
• Sesha Kethineni, Department of Criminal Justice Sciences
• Hassan Mohammadi, Department of Economics
• Oguzhan Dincer, Department of Economics
• Ali Riaz, Department of Politics and Government
• Noha Shawki, Department of Politics and Government
• Jakeet Singh, Department of Politics and Government
• Yusuf Sarfati, Department of Politics and Government

Possible Majors to Combine with the Minor

• Anthropology
• Economics
• English
• Criminal Justice Science
• Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
• Geography
• History
• International Business
• Philosophy
• Politics and Government
• Public Relations
• Social Science Education
• Sociology
• Social Work

Possible Careers

• Consultant
• Political Analyst
• Congressional Aide
• Researcher
• Teacher
• Peace Corps Volunteer
• Security Expert
• Grassroots Organizer
• Non Governmental Agency Staff
• International Organization Staff

For More Information, Contact:

Program Director:

Yusuf Sarfati
Department of Politics and Government
403D Schroeder Hall
Campus Box 4600
(309) 438-5785

Program Advisor:

Erik Rankin
Department of Politics and Government
405 Schroeder Hall
Campus Box 4600
(309) 438-3709