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MIDDLE EASTERN HISTORY
Department of Arabic Studies
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Associate Professors: N. Hanna, H. Lutfi, E. Sartain
Assistant Professors: S. Sears
Middle East History is the study of many different narratives, describing the origin, development and transformation of the society and culture of the Middle East, especially the rise and development of Arab and Islamic civilization. The study of these narratives seeks to explain the thought, movements, processes, institutions and identities of this civilization. These include but are not limited to political and religious thought, cross- cultural interaction, commerce and economic relations, government, and social, political and religious loyalties. Particular attention is given to how these dynamics change in physical and cultural space and in historical time.
Bachelor of Arts
The objective of the undergraduate program is to foster an awareness of the synthesis of the classical Arab and Muslim cultural tradition (ca. 600-945), the transformation of this tradition in the age of Turkish, Persian and Berber supremacy (ca. 945-1800) and its further development with the advent of modernity and the re-formulation of Middle Eastern cultural and political identities (ca. 1800 to present). To broaden the student's historical perspective, some study of pre-Islamic and non Middle-Eastern history is required. The program should also help develop skills in the critical analysis of documents and historical arguments, and the writing of history.
Students should find opportunities in any line work where analytical and communication skills or knowledge of Middle East culture are important. These include government, non-governmental organizations, journalism, law firms, multinational businesses and teaching. Many history majors go on to get advanced degrees in law, business, journalism, social science and history. At AUC, the department of Arabic Studies offers a masters degree in Middle East history. This program is flexible and can easily accommodate most day-time work schedules.
Students should take ARBS/HIST 246 and obtain a C or higher before registering for upper level classes.
Non-Arab foreign students must take courses in literary Arabic through ALNG 203 or 212, or demonstrate proficiency through examination.
A total of 120 credits is required for the bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern History: |
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Core Curriculum (40 credits) |
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Concentration Requirements (42 credits): |
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MEHT/HIST |
200 |
Introduction to Historical Theory and Methodology |
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MEHT/ARBS/HIST |
336 |
Studies in Ibn Khaldun |
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355 |
History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D. |
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356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century |
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Four of the following: |
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HIST |
201 |
History of American Civilization to the Nineteenth Century |
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202 |
History of Modern American Civilization |
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203 |
Ancient and Medieval Western Civilization to 1300 |
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204 |
The Rise of Modern Civilization |
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205 |
Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914) |
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307 |
The Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation |
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308 |
Europe and the Age of Reason |
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309 |
The Pursuit of Liberty |
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410 |
Modern European Imperialism |
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Three of the following: |
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MEHT/ARBS/HIST |
343 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization, Classical Age, 600-945 A.D. |
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344 |
Arab-Islamic Civilization, Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D. |
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345 |
Islamic Civilization, 1380-1800 A.D. |
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ARBS/POLS |
353 |
Muslim Political Thought |
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Two of the following: |
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MEHT/EGPT/HIST |
346 |
Societies and Cultures of the Ancient Near East |
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MEHT/HIST |
460 |
Selected Topics in Middle Eastern History, 600-1250 A.D. |
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461 |
Selected Topics in Middle Eastern History, 1250-1800 A.D. |
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462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East |
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MEHT/ARBS/HIST |
463 |
Selected Topics in the History of Islamic Thought and Institutions. |
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One of the following: |
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HIST |
401 |
Selected Topics in the History of the United States |
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402 |
Selected Topics in European History |
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Collateral Requirements (30 credits) |
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ARBS |
270 or 271 |
Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture |
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ECON |
239 |
Economic History of the Middle East |
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One of the following: |
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ANTH |
202 |
Cultural Anthropology |
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SOC |
201 |
Introduction to Sociology |
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SOC |
203 |
Social problems of the Middle East |
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One of the following: |
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POL |
201 |
Introduction to Political Science |
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325 |
Government and Politics of Egypt |
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354 |
Political and Social Thought in the Modern Arab World |
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One course in either Philosophy or English and Comparative Literature to be chosen in consultation with adviser.
A minor in a relevant field, to be selected in consultation with the adviser. Students who choose to take a minor in European World History or United Sates History must select courses which they have not already taken as Middle Eastern History concentration requirements. (15 credits)
Electives (5-15 credits) |
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Classical/Medieval Islamic History Minor
This minor acquaints the student with the main historical currents and developments of Arab-Islamic society and culture from the rise of Islam to the end of the eighteenth century.
Requirements (15 credits): MEHT/ARBS/HIST 343 Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Classical Age, 600-945 A.D., MEHT/ARBS/HIST 344 Arab-Islamic Civilization in the Middle Period, 945-1380 A.D., MEHT/ARBS/HIST 345 Islamic Civilization, 1380-1800 A.D., and two of the following: HIST 203 Ancient and Medieval Western Civilization to 1300, MEHT/ARBS/HIST 336 Studies in Ibn Khaldun, MEHT/ARBS 451 Islamic Institutions, or Selected Topics (MEHT/HIST 460, 461, or MEHT/ARBS/HIST 463).
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Middle Eastern History Courses (MEHT) |
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MODERN HISTORY
Department of History
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Professor: J. Edwards (Chair)
Associate Professors: D. Blanks, M. Reimer, J. Thompson
Assistant Professors: M. Rieker, S. Winger
The Department of History offers and administers a major in Modern History, and minors in Modern History, Modern Middle Eastern History, European-World History, and in United States History.
Bachelor of Arts
Programs in history administered by the Department of History aim to introduce students to a range of European, American and Middle Eastern history topics. The choice of course offerings is designed to allow students flexibility within the major, while the emphasis on the modern era seeks to provide students with a sound foundation for the understanding of the contemporary world. Where courses are cross-listed students should register with the department indicated in bold type. (See also entry under Middle Eastern History).
History is based on the conviction that we cannot understand the present unless we understand the past. As the pace of change accelerates, it becomes increasingly important to analyze and understand the origins of new world systems. History therefore is the study of past human endeavor in all its aspects, scientific, artistic, philosophic, as well as political, economic and social. Historians are trained to evaluate a wide variety of differently recorded evidence and to seek new sources in ways that are adaptable to the understanding of history unfolding around us.
The objective of the Modern History major is to introduce students to the practice of history, and to train them in its philosophy and methodology. In doing so this major aims to give students the intellectual tools with which to approach these goals, together with an understanding of the complexity of the past. The skills of analysis, critical thinking and succinct synthesis which the study of history demands, give students a solid foundation both for advanced academic work in a variety of disciplines, and for entry into major professions such as law, diplomacy, and politics, as well as commercial and business enterprises.
A total of 120 credits is required for a bachelor's degree in Modern History. |
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Core Curriculum (40 credits) |
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Concentration Requirements (36 credits): |
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HIST |
202 |
History of Modern American Civilization |
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204 |
The Rise of Modern Civilization |
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205 |
Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914 |
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HIST/POLS |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century |
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HIST/ARBS/MEHT |
355 |
History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D. |
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HIST/MEHT |
356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth |
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Four of the following, including one European or American course, and one Middle Eastern history course. The course may be repeated if topic changes. |
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HIST |
401 |
Selected Topics in the History of the United States |
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402 |
Selected Topics in European History |
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410 |
Selected Topics in Modern European Imperialism |
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411 |
Selected Topics in British History |
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412 |
Selected Topics in Modern Egyptian History |
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HIST/ARBS/MEHT |
454 |
Modern Movements in Islam |
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HIST/MEHT |
462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the ModernMiddle East |
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Two additional courses from any of the history courses (HIST).
Electives: 44 credits, to be selected in consultation with a history faculty advisor. |
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Modern Middle Eastern History Minor
The minor in the field of Modern Middle Eastern History is designed to provide students with a substantive introduction to the making of the modern Middle East from the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. |
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Requirements (15 credits): |
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HIST/ARBS/MEHT |
355 |
History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D. |
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HIST/MEHT |
356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century |
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and three of the following |
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HIST |
205 |
Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914) |
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410 |
Modern European Imperialism |
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HIST/ARBS/MEHT |
454 |
Modern Movements in Islam |
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HIST/MEHT |
462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East. |
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European-World History Minor
The student in this minor gains an understanding of the main themes in the development of European society and culture including its roots in, and relations with, other civilizations from ancient to modern times. |
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Requirements (15 credits): |
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HIST |
203 |
Ancient and Medieval Western Civilization to 1300 |
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204 |
The Rise of Modern Civilization |
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205 |
Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914) |
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HIST/POLS |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century |
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307 |
The Middle Ages, the Renaissance and the Reformation |
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HIST |
308 |
Europe in the Age of Reason |
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402 |
Selected Topics in European History |
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United States History Minor
This minor focuses on the United States and the nature of its democratic development from America's colonial experience in the eighteenth century, through the crisis of the Civil War, to America's position as a world leader in the twentieth century. |
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Requirements (15 credits):
Students in this minor will take: |
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HIST/ECLT |
209 |
Introduction to American Studies |
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HIST |
401 |
Selected Topics in the History of the United States |
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plus two of the following courses: |
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HIST |
201 |
History of American Civilization to the Nineteenth Century |
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202 |
History of Modern American Civilization |
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HIST/POLS |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century |
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HIST |
309 |
The Pursuit of Liberty. |
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In addition, students should choose one American literature course from the following English and Comparative Literature offerings: ECLT 308, ECLT 311. |
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Modern History Minor
This minor acquaints students with major forces and events of the American, European and Middle Eastern worlds of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. |
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Requirements (15 credits): |
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HIST/POLS |
206 |
Global Politics in the Twentieth Century |
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HIST/MEHT |
356 |
History of the Middle East in the Twentieth Century |
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plus three of the following: |
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HIST |
205 |
Europe in the Age of Revolution and Reform (1789-1914) |
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HIST/ARBS/MEHT |
355 |
History of the Middle East, 1700-1900 A.D. |
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HIST |
402 |
Selected Topics in European History |
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HIST/MEHT |
462 |
Selected Topics in the History of the Modern Middle East. |
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History Courses (HIST) |
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