Middle Eastern Studies

College: Arts and Sciences
Degree: BA
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The participating departments (Art History, Classics, Economics, History, Modern Languages and Linguistics, Political Science, Public Administration and Religion) offer an interdisciplinary undergraduate program in Middle Eastern Studies designated for:

(1) general liberal arts students who wish to learn more about the Middle East;
(2) students who wish to pursue graduate work in this field; and
(3) students who seek employment in or relating to the Middle East.

The major is administered by Florida State University's Middle East Center. A BA degree in Middle Eastern Studies responds directly to a national as well as a regional demand for resources and information to educate students, professionals, and the surrounding community about this important region of the world. A grade of C minus or better is required in all major courses for Middle Eastern Studies.

Prospective transfer students should contact as-admissions@fsu.edu (Arts & Sciences Admissions) with specific questions about admission and mapping requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

Prerequisite Coursework: None.
There is no prerequisite coursework, but students are encouraged to take lower-level introductory courses in some of the related disciplines. Such courses serve as background for the major. Students are encouraged to begin the study of Arabic or Hebrew early, and to take any culture and history courses that relate to the Middle East.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Requirements

Requirements for graduation in the College of Arts and Sciences include:
The College of Arts and Science requires proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate (2220 or equivalent) level or sign language through the advanced (2614 or equivalent) level.

If majoring in Middle Eastern Studies, the foreign language requirement for the College of Arts and Sciences is fulfilled with the study of Arabic or Hebrew.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major:
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.00, at least half the required General Education requirements, including English composition and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Students are encouraged to take ASH 1044 (3) Middle Eastern Civilization that meets the history requirement in General Education and counts towards the Middle Eastern Studies degree.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (39 hours in major + 15 hours in Arabic or Hebrew)
Students majoring in the program are to construct their study program in consultation with an advisor. A total of 54 hours beyond General Education is required. A list of approved courses is available at http://www.mec.fsu.edu/courses or from the advisors.

Major requirement: (39 hours)
A. ASH 3230 (3) Middle East Research: An Interdisciplinary Seminar. This course satisfies the Upper Division Writing requirement.

B. Students are to take a minimum of 36 additional hours from among those area specific courses listed for their major track. The credit hours should come from at least 3 departments. View course list at http://www.mec.fsu.edu/courses .

Foreign language requirement: (15 hours)
Fifteen (15) hours of coursework is required in a relevant area language (Arabic, Hebrew, or any other Middle East language that might be offered on campus in the future). The 15 hours must come from one language. Students will be encouraged to bring their chosen language up to an effective level of proficiency in both reading and speaking by either taking additional coursework on the FSU campus or by participating in a semester or summer abroad program in their relevant cultural area as such programs are available. To encourage the achievement of language proficiency, language coursework hours taken beyond the 15 hour foreign language requirement may be counted towards the required 36 hours for the major.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
CGS 2060 (3) Computer Fluency, CGS 2100 (3) Microcomputer Applications for Business/Economics, or EME 2040 (3) Introduction to Educational Technology will fulfill this requirement for the major.

Oral Communication Competency: (3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with a University approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36
Major Coursework 39
Foreign Language 15
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

* Middle Eastern Studies majors are encouraged to begin their language study no later than their sophomore year and are encouraged to start the learning process as early as their freshman year.

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. Students who plan to earn the B. A. degree must complete both a foreign language through the intermediate (2200 or equivalent) level and nine additional hours in the fields of history and humanities, beyond General Education requirements.

Employment Information
Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

An increasing number of jobs are available throughout Florida and nationally for those with expertise in the Middle East and its languages.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Cyber Security Analyst, Intelligence Specialist, Foreign Service Officer, Political Affairs Officer, Teacher, Linguist (with MA or PhD), Translator, and Government Employee.

Representative Employers: U. S. Government (including the State Department, Defense Department, Defense Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, International Communications Agency and Homeland Security), Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Government, Multinational Corporations, Educational Institutions, United Nations, U.S. Military and Non-profit Organizations.