Information for:
Minor in Islamic Studies
The Islamic Studies minor offers interdisciplinary study of societies with significant or majority Muslim populations in the Middle East and North Africa, Africa, Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, as well as Europe and North America. The Islamic Studies minor recognizes that Islam is a universal faith and world civilization with a global community, and thus provides a global approach rather than a regional framework for exploring Islam. This innovative approach encourages students to explore Islam's role and contributions beyond the Middle East and to appreciate the experiences that connect over one billion Muslims worldwide, historically and in the present.
Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)
See the university catalog for policies governing all minors.
Students pursuing this minor complete 21 credits distributed as follows:
- Three core courses (9 credits): GOVT 345, HIST 281, RELI 272
- Three elective courses (9 credits) chosen from ANTH 309, 311; ARTH 320, 382; FREN 453; GEOG 325, 330; GOVT 328, 332; HIST 282, 462, 465; RELI 374, 375
- One course (3 credits) in a foreign language of any country with a significant Muslim population. While Arabic maybe used to fulfill this requirement, other languages can be substituted with prior approval of the coordinator. Students may have this requirement waived by demonstrating proficiency in a relevant foreign language as determined by the Department of Modern and Classical Languages. Such students will have 3 additional elective credits. Courses in another language of the Islamic world can also be applied toward elective credits.
Special topics courses, when relevant, may be used to fulfill elective credits for the minor with prior written approval of the coordinator.
Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Contact Information
Sumaiya Hamdani
Robinson Hall B 347, MSN 3G1
Fairfax, VA 22030
703.993.1261
shamdani@gmu.edu