This minor is designed for students interested in the societies, cultures, history, and politics of the Islamic world. It offers students the opportunity to study the many societies that have significant Muslim populations. These societies are not just in the Middle East. They stretch from North Africa to Southeast Asia and beyond, including Europe as well as North America. To fulfill the requirements for the minor, students take a wide variety of courses from a range of departments. These courses provide students with a broad and well-rounded understanding of Islam.
The minor will enhance students' opportunities for future study and employment, especially in the Washington, D.C. area.
Faculty
Amireh, Bakhash, Dakake (director), DeCaroli, Haddad, Hamdani, Katz, Lukacs, Mandaville, McGlinchey, Paden, Salawdeh
Policies
Eight credits of coursework must be unique to the minor and students must complete all coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.00. For policies governing all minors, see AP.5.3.4 Minors.
Minor Requirements
Total credits: 18
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GOVT 345 | Islam and Politics | 3 |
| HIST 281 | Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | 3 |
| RELI 312 | Islam (Mason Core) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three electives from the following. No more than 6 credits of foreign language or 3 credits of Experiential Learning can be applied to the minor. 1 | 9 | |
| Survey of Arabic Literature | ||
| Topics in Arabic Religious Thought and Texts (Mason Core) | ||
| Peoples and Cultures of the Middle East (Mason Core) | ||
| Peoples and Cultures of India (Mason Core) | ||
| Art of the Islamic World (Mason Core) | ||
| Arts of India (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Literature (when topic is Arab and Arab-American writers) | ||
| Geography of North Africa and the Middle East | ||
| Geography of Eastern Europe and Russia | ||
| Politics of the Middle East and North Africa | ||
| Central Asian Politics | ||
| Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core) | ||
| Topics in Global History (Mason Core) (when relevant to the Islamic world with approval of director) | ||
| Women in Islamic Society (Mason Core) | ||
| The Middle East in the 20th Century | ||
| Qur'an and Hadith | ||
| Sufism | ||
| Muhammad: Life and Legacy | ||
| Islamic Thought (Mason Core) | ||
| Islamic Law, Society, and Ethics | ||
| Islam, Democracy, and Human Rights (Mason Core) | ||
| Islam in the Modern Age | ||
Special topics course, when relevant, with prior written approval of the director | ||
Foreign Language Courses (up to 6 credits) 1 | ||
Experiential Learning (up to 3 credits) 2 | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |