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.

Banner Code: ISLM

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

GOVT 345Islam and Politics3
HIST 281Survey of Middle Eastern Civilization (Mason Core)3
RELI 312Islam3
Total Credits9

Electives

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. 19
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
Government and 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
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 Credits9
1

Foreign language courses include:

2

Experiential Learning includes any study abroad program or an internship experience approved by minor director.