Center For Islamic And Arabic Studies

The Major

The major in Islamic & Arabic Studies is a special emphasis within the general Social Science curriculum. It is multidisciplinary in focus, designed to provide an effective understanding of the religions, languages, cultures, economies, politics, and histories of Muslim-majority societies and their diasporas. Students can select one of two specializations within the major: Islamic Studies, or Arabic Studies. The Islamic Studies specialization focuses more on the humanities, with core courses in religion, history, and culture, while the Arabic Studies specialization emphasizes languages and social sciences, with core courses in Arabic or other languages, politics, and economics. To obtain the major, students must complete a minimum of 48 units (of which 18 are preparation for the major), that all have focus on Islamic and Arabic topics.

This major enables students to pursue a multitude of career opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. These include work in Non-Governmental Organizations, the public sector including the Foreign Service, and the corporate world. The presence in San Diego county and other urban centers in the nation of large communities from Muslim-majority countries opens opportunities for work in local government and the social service sector. Students who wish to pursue further studies are well-prepared by this major to pursue M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in multiple disciplines connected to Islamic & Arabic Studies, as well as professional degrees such as law and library science.

For more information on the major, please see the General Catalog.

Social Science: Emphasis in Islamic & Arabic Studies
 
Preparation for the Major
Arabic 101, 102, 201 or Persian 101, 102, 201;
6 units from History 100, 101 or Religious Studies 101

Islamic Studies Focus

Required
Religious Studies 310: The Quran
Religious Studies 328: Islam 
History 473: Middle East History to 1500
History 474: Middle East Since 1500
Women’s Studies 560: Women in Muslim Societies

Electives
An additional 15 units from:      
Arabic 301: Advanced Arabic I          
Arabic 302: Advanced Arabic II
Arabic 330: Arabic Culture
Arabic 350: Adv Conversational Arabic
History 574: Arab-Israeli Relations
Political Science 363: Government & Politics of the Middle East
Religious Studies 330: Abrahamic Faiths
Religious Studies 379: Religious Violence & Non-Violence
Women’s Studies 331: Women in Asian Societies

Arabic Studies Focus

Required                                
Arabic 301: Advanced Arabic I
Arabic 302: Advanced Arabic II
Arabic 330: Arabic Culture
Political Science 363: Government & Politics of the Middle East

Electives
An additional 16 units from:
Arabic 350: Adv Conversational Arabic
History 473: Middle East to 1500
History 474: Middle East Since 1500
History 574: Arab-Israeli Relations
Religious Studies 310: The Quran
Religious Studies 328: Islam
Religious Studies 330: Abrahamic Faiths
Religious Studies 379: Religious Violence and Non-Violence
Women’s Studies 331: Women in Asian Societies         
Women’s Studies 560: Women in Muslim Societies  


The following courses may be substituted for the major with the approval of the undergraduate advisor:

                                
History 500:  The Formation of Islam
History 582:  Muslim and Christian Asia
Political Science 550:  Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective