Islamic World Studies

Minor Program

Islamic World Studies provides CUA undergraduates a framework to consolidate the University's offerings related to the Isalmic Near East and the Arab world that have long been part of the University's work into a minor program. The program emphasizes the common heritage of Christians and Muslims in both the past and the contemporary world, beginning with two core courses. "The Rise of Islam" (HIST 309) focuses on the world of late antiquity when the prophetic traditions of Christianity and Islam emerged. "Islam in the Modern World" (ANTH 310) takes up Islamic versions of current issues of how to be religious in the modern and post-modern world, balancing claims on society with intensive searches for meaning that range from fundamentalist to moderate. These issues are familiar to Christians and Jews, and the responses from these related traditions are often similar to those found among Muslims.

The minor is a suitable complement for majors in any humanities or social science discipline. It would be appropriate preparation for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in a number of disciplines, ranging from linguistics to foreign service, as well as going on in Islamic studies.

Course requirements

The minor consists of six courses, beginning with two required, core courses.

• HIST 309 - The Rise of Islam (Leonora Neville & Sidney H. Griffith)
• ANTH 310 - Islam in the Modern World (Jon W. Anderson)

HIST 309, offered in Fall semesters, "traces the origins of Islam from its beginning in late antiquity to the high point of classical Muslim culture in the medieval era." ANTH 310 "examines contemporary social settings of Islam in the Middle East, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia through case studies of institutions of Muslim belief and practice at the local level, varieties of Islam and its cultural significance for local communities." 

If one of these two courses is not available, a substitution from Option II below is possible.

The rest of the required course work for the minor can be carried out in two ways, a language-intensive track and a track of non-language disciplinary courses. The choice depends on a student's future plans.

Option I

The student may take both semesters of SEM 241-242 - Introduction to Classical Arabic (six credits each). No credit toward the minor is given to students who complete only the first semester.

Option II

The student may take four non-language courses designated by an advisor as relevant. Possible courses include the following.

• HIST 311 - The Crusades (Leonora Neville)
• SPAN 326 - Medieval Spain at the Crossroads of Cultures (Lourdes Maria Alvarez)
• ANTH 390 - Politics & Religion in the Middle East (Jon W. Anderson)
• SEM 247 - Arabic Literature in Translation (Shawqi N. Talia)
• TRS 395 - Christianity and the Challenge of Islam (Sidney H. Griffith)
• TRS 398 - Introduction to Islam (Staff)

Since CUA does not offer courses on modern Near Eastern history or politics, or on other parts of the Muslim world, the student may take two Consortium courses in those areas. See Consortium programs under "CUA and Washington Resources."

Which track is right for me?

Option I would be appropriate for students contemplating further work or graduate training in Islamic studies, religion or history that focus primarily on texts. Option II provides a multidisciplinary introduction to social, political, cultural settings of Islam that draws on perspectives and methods of other disciplines.