The Undergraduate Certificate in Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MENA) provides students with a thorough understanding of the languages, cultures, history, and societies of the region.
The Middle East has long played a critical role in global economics and politics. Often portrayed by the media as a place of endless conflict, the Middle East is incredibly complex and made up of numerous nations, each with its own political, religious, geographic, and economic structure and traditions. Student in the MENA certificate program explore this complex region by studying the area's literature, languages, history, politics, religion, and art.
The certificate may be of particular interest to students who plan to enter government service or global business, and complements a number of different majors including history, religious studies, political science, economics, business, geography, foreign languages, and anthropology. The program requires one year of either Arabic or Hebrew language courses.
Many students participate in a study abroad experience to build on their classroom learning.
Certificates are similar to minors in terms of credit requirements but draw on coursework from multiple fields of study rather than from a single department.
Eligibility
The Undergraduate Certificate in Middle Eastern and North African Studies is open to all students seeking a bachelor's degree from UWM, to students who previously received a bachelor's degree from UWM or any other accredited college or university, and to those who do not plan to pursue a college or university degree (non-degree students) but who have a strong interest in this subject. To be admitted to the University as a non-degree student, individuals must meet regular University admission requirements. Students currently involved in baccalaureate studies who successfully complete the requirements of the program will be awarded the certificate at the time of graduation. Students who already have a bachelor's degree and non-degree students receive the certificate upon completion of the program requirements. All students are required to complete an exit survey before the certificate is awarded.
Requirements
The program requires one year of Arabic or Hebrew language courses and a historical survey course. Upper-level courses offer students the opportunity to explore Middle Eastern literature, history, politics, religion, and art in greater depth. Courses totaling 23 credits must be completed with a GPA of 2.750 or better. At least one half of the work for the certificate must be taken at UWM. The Committee for Middle Eastern and North African Studies administers the program and advises students.
In addition to taking courses related to the Middle East and North Africa, students have opportunities to meet and study with Middle Eastern scholars who regularly visit UWM through a number of institutional partnerships with Middle Eastern universities. Students also may take advantage of study abroad programs that offer credit for academic work in the Middle East and North Africa.
Following are the detailed requirements for the certificate. For the specific content and prerequisites of each course, click on the subject code and course number below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Eastern Language Sequence | ||
| Select one of the following sequences: | 8 | |
| First Semester Arabic and Second Semester Arabic | ||
| First Semester Hebrew and Second Semester Hebrew | ||
| Survey | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Islamic Civilization: The Formative Period, ca. 500-1258 | ||
| The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 23 | |
Electives
At least 12 additional credits selected from the approved electives list, of which at least 9 must be at the 300 level or above. Students must include among their credits selected for section III at least one course in Hebrew studies and one course in Arabic studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 641 | Seminar in Anthropology: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| ARABIC 111 | Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East | 3 |
| ARABIC 201 | Third Semester Arabic | 5 |
| ARABIC 202 | Fourth Semester Arabic | 5 |
| ARABIC 299 | Ad Hoc: (with appropriate subtitle) | 1-6 |
| ARABIC 301 | Fifth Semester Arabic | 3 |
| ARABIC 302 | Sixth Semester Arabic | 3 |
| ARABIC 390 | Islam: Religion and Culture | 3 |
| ARABIC 499 | Ad Hoc: (with appropriate subtitle) | 1-6 |
| ARTHIST 315 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTHIST 324 | Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTHIST 327 | Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain | 3 |
| CLASSIC/HIST 274 | Ancient Egyptian Civilization | 3 |
| CLASSIC 390 | Egyptian Mythology | 3 |
| ENGLISH 247 | Literature and Human Experience: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| FRENCH 357 | Literature of the French-Speaking World in Translation: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| FRENCH 431 | Seminar in Literature of the Francophone World: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| FRENCH 432 | Seminar in French and Francophone Cultures: (with appropriate subtitle) | 1-3 |
| HEBREW 201 | Third-Semester Hebrew | 4 |
| HEBREW 202 | Fourth-Semester Hebrew | 4 |
| HEBREW 301 | Modern Hebrew Literature I in Hebrew | 3 |
| HEBREW 302 | Modern Hebrew Literature II in Hebrew | 3 |
| HIST 280 | Islamic Civilization: The Formative Period, ca. 500-1258 1 | 3 |
| HIST 282 | The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries 1 | 3 |
| HIST 319 | The Era of the Crusades | 3 |
| HIST 370 | Topics in the History of Religious Thought: (with appropriate subtitle, e.g., "Judaism in the Ancient World") | 3 |
| HIST 386 | Africans in World History: Communities, Cultures, and Ideas | 3 |
| HIST 387 | Colonization in Africa: A History of Resistance and Adaptation | 3 |
| HIST 401 | Topics in Middle Eastern History: | 3 |
| HIST 600 | Seminar in History: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| INTLST 450 | Internship in International Studies (with appropriate subtitle) | 2-6 |
| INTLST 550 | Senior Seminar in International Studies: (with appropriate subtitle) | 3 |
| JEWISH 231 | Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible | 3 |
| JEWISH 235 | The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible | 3 |
| JEWISH 261 | Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images | 3 |
| JEWISH 321 | The Holocaust and the Politics of Memory | 3 |
| JEWISH 332 | Women in the Bible | 3 |
| JEWISH 368 | Jewish and Christian Responses to the Holocaust | 3 |
| PHILOS 461 | Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism | 3 |
| POL SCI 329 | African Politics | 3 |
| POL SCI 371 | Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | 3 |
- 1
If not taken above.
Spring 2024: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility - https://catalog.uwm.edu| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ARABIC 102 | Second Semester Arabic
|
| ARABIC 111 | Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East
|
| ARABIC 164 | Arabs and Islam in America
|
| ARABIC 199 | Independent Study
|
| ARABIC 202 | Fourth Semester Arabic
|
| ARABIC 390 | Islam: Religion and Culture
|
| ARABIC 699 | Advanced Independent Study
|
| ARTHIST 315 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt
|
| ARTHIST 315G | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt
|
| ARTHIST 327 | Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain
|
| ARTHIST 327G | Caliphs, Emirs, & Kings: Art & Architecture of Medieval Spain
|
| CLASSIC 274 | Ancient Egyptian Civilization
|
| CLASSIC 390 | Egyptian Mythology
|
| FILMSTD 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: |
| HEBREW 102 | Second Semester Hebrew
|
| HEBREW 202 | Fourth-Semester Hebrew
|
| HIST 274 | Ancient Egyptian Civilization
|
| HIST 282 | The Modern Middle East in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
|
| INTLST 550 | Senior Seminar in International Studies: |
| JEWISH 231 | Introduction to the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible
|
| JEWISH 261 | Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images
|
| JEWISH 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: |
| POL SCI 328 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict
|
| POL SCI 328G | The Arab-Israeli Conflict
|
| POL SCI 371 | Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict
|
Summer 2024: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility - https://catalog.uwm.edu| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ARABIC 199 | Independent Study
|
| ARABIC 699 | Advanced Independent Study
|
Fall 2024: Upcoming Courses in Program
Check catalog for compatibility - https://catalog.uwm.edu| Course Code | Course Title |
|---|---|
| ARABIC 101 | First Semester Arabic
|
| ARABIC 111 | Cultures and Civilizations of the Muslim Middle East
|
| ARABIC 164 | Arabs and Islam in America
|
| ARABIC 199 | Independent Study
|
| ARABIC 201 | Third Semester Arabic
|
| ARABIC 390 | Islam: Religion and Culture
|
| ARABIC 699 | Advanced Independent Study
|
| ARTHIST 324 | Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture
|
| ARTHIST 324G | Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture
|
| FILMSTD 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: |
| GEOG 410 | Gendered Geographies
|
| GEOG 410G | Gendered Geographies
|
| HEBREW 101 | First Semester Hebrew
|
| HEBREW 201 | Third-Semester Hebrew
|
| HIST 319 | The Era of the Crusades
|
| HIST 386 | Africans in World History: Communities, Cultures, and Ideas
|
| HIST 386G | Africans in World History: Communities, Cultures, and Ideas
|
| JEWISH 261 | Representing the Holocaust in Words and Images
|
| JEWISH 332 | Women in the Bible
|
| JEWISH 350 | Global Jewish Film and Television: |
| POL SCI 328 | The Arab-Israeli Conflict
|
Declare Your Certificate
Questions can be directed to Associate Professor Caroline Seymour-Jorn. If you are ready to declare, complete the online form at the button below.
Contact Information
Associate Professor Caroline Seymour-Jorn
Curtin Hall 797
3243 N Downer Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53211
414-229-5058
Future Students, contact an L&S admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu. All other inquiries can be directed to the program contact.