Overview

Islamic Studies is a multidisciplinary major incorporating the fields of art, politics, religion, history, philosophy, literature, international studies, and others. As an Islamic Studies major, you’ll be gaining a solid humanities-based education with an emphasis on Islamic languages such as Arabic, Persian, and Turkish. You’ll study Islamic literature both in its original languages and in translation, and, as is the case with most liberal arts majors, your studies will touch upon what it means to be human and how we define our world.


Almost a billion people worldwide are of the Islamic faith, and through Islamic Studies you’ll gain an understanding of this religious culture that has influenced so much of modern society.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

  • Arabic Fiction

  • Canon and Communities in the Near East

  • Contemporary Arab Culture

  • Humanities courses such as Philosophy, International Studies, Art History

  • Islamic Architecture and Heritage

  • Islamic History

  • Islamic Law

  • Language courses in Persian or Turkish

  • Literary Arabic Reading

  • Middle East in the Modern Era

  • Modern Standard Arabic

  • Near Eastern Literature

  • Religion and Politics in the Islamic World


HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION

You’ll benefit from history and political science courses, of course, and language work will prepare for learning more difficult Middle-Eastern languages like Arabic. Since Islamic Studies is based so firmly in a liberal arts education, any courses you can take in literature, art, religion, and other humanities will be worthwhile as well.