Spring 2016 MEIS Flyer
About the Program
Degree Requirements
The MA in Middle East and Islamic Studies distinguishes itself from other programs with its globalized perspectives and interdisciplinary approach to studying the major debates in Islam, the Middle East, and Muslim societies.
See the 2015-16 University Catalog for policies governing graduate programs. Students pursuing this MA complete 30 credits distributed as follows:
With the continuing, diverted, and stalling uprisings in Arab countries, the transformation of social and political dynamics from North Africa to the Arab East, and our distinguished faculty’s work in new media and political economy, this program represents “a new M.A. for a new Middle East.” Students will have the chance to study the region from multiple angles and explore emerging trends that shape current discourses in Middle East Studies. Graduates of the program prepare themselves for a variety of career paths including academia, government, and non-governmental organizations where an increasing need for Middle East and Islam-related expertise is in demand. For undergraduate Mason students, there is an attractive accelerated masters option (see reverse for more details).
Contact Information Program Director: Prof. Bassam Haddad Program Administrator: Erin McSherry, [email protected] Co-Sponsorship Coordinator: Melissa Bejjani, [email protected] Program Email: [email protected] For more details on the program and application information, visit meis.gmu.edu
• Five core courses (15 credits): MEIS 500, GOVT 632, HIST 575, RELI 644, and one methods course chosen from ANTH 650, HIST 610, SOCI 620, GOVT 500, or RELI 630 • Five elective courses (15 credits): This semester, these can be chosen from GOVT 739 001/004, HIST 585 001/002, RELI 645. Relevant special topics courses, directed readings and research, study abroad courses, or internships may be used to fulfill this requirement with prior written approval of the director. • Language Proficiency: Prior to graduation, students must demonstrate evidence of advanced professional competency in one of five major languages of the Middle East or Muslim world: Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, or Urdu. • Optional Research Project (3 credits): Students choosing to complete a research project take one less elective, and take one of the following courses: GOVT 798; HIST 798; SOCI 696; ANTH 796. • Optional Thesis (6 credits) - MEIS 799: Students who choose the thesis option take 6 fewer credits of electives. • Optional Internship (3 credits) - MEIS 796: Students can complete an internship for credit with prior written approval of the director.
meis.gmu.edu
Spring 2016 Courses
Accelerated Masters
ANTH 650 Ethnography Methods/Research Design ** M, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Andrew Bickford
Accelerated Masters Option only available for Current Mason Students:
GOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research Design ** R, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Jennifer Victor GOVT 632 Politics and Societies of the Middle East * M, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Bassam Haddad GOVT 739 001 War on Terror *** T, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Mark Katz GOVT 739 004 The Arab Uprisings *** R, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Rola El-Husseini HIST 585 001 Political Thought in Muslim Societies *** M, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Huseyin Yilmaz HIST 585 002 Shi’ism and Sectarianism *** R, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Sumaiya Hamdani
Mason undergraduate students majoring in Government and International Politics, Global Affairs, History, Religious Studies, Sociology or Anthropology with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and two letters of recommendation from Mason faculty may take up to 6 hours of reserve graduate credit that can be applied towards both their undergraduate requirements as well as the requirements of the MEIS program if they are successful in gaining admission to the latter. This option can allow students to complete their graduate studies more quickly, but requires some advance planning. Students interested in exploring the Accelerated Masters option should contact the MEIS Program Administrator, Erin McSherry ([email protected]). Visit http://chss.gmu.edu/acceleratedmasters/about for more details about the Accelerated Masters, as this option follows a separate application process.
HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History ** T, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Joan Bristol RELI 645 Comparative Muslim Theologies: Sunni/Shi’i *** T, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Abdulaziz Sachedina
* Core Course ** Methods Course *** Elective Course
meis.gmu.edu
Degree Requirements
The MA in Middle East and Islamic Studies distinguishes itself from other programs with its globalized perspectives and interdisciplinary approach to studying the major debates in Islam, the Middle East, and Muslim societies.
See the 2015-16 University Catalog for policies governing graduate programs. Students pursuing this MA complete 30 credits distributed as follows:
With the continuing, diverted, and stalling uprisings in Arab countries, the transformation of social and political dynamics from North Africa to the Arab East, and our distinguished faculty’s work in new media and political economy, this program represents “a new M.A. for a new Middle East.” Students will have the chance to study the region from multiple angles and explore emerging trends that shape current discourses in Middle East Studies. Graduates of the program prepare themselves for a variety of career paths including academia, government, and non-governmental organizations where an increasing need for Middle East and Islam-related expertise is in demand. For undergraduate Mason students, there is an attractive accelerated masters option (see reverse for more details).
Contact Information Program Director: Prof. Bassam Haddad Program Administrator: Erin McSherry, [email protected] Co-Sponsorship Coordinator: Melissa Bejjani, [email protected] Program Email: [email protected] For more details on the program and application information, visit meis.gmu.edu
• Five core courses (15 credits): MEIS 500, GOVT 632, HIST 575, RELI 644, and one methods course chosen from ANTH 650, HIST 610, SOCI 620, GOVT 500, or RELI 630 • Five elective courses (15 credits): This semester, these can be chosen from GOVT 739 001/004, HIST 585 001/002, RELI 645. Relevant special topics courses, directed readings and research, study abroad courses, or internships may be used to fulfill this requirement with prior written approval of the director. • Language Proficiency: Prior to graduation, students must demonstrate evidence of advanced professional competency in one of five major languages of the Middle East or Muslim world: Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, or Urdu. • Optional Research Project (3 credits): Students choosing to complete a research project take one less elective, and take one of the following courses: GOVT 798; HIST 798; SOCI 696; ANTH 796. • Optional Thesis (6 credits) - MEIS 799: Students who choose the thesis option take 6 fewer credits of electives. • Optional Internship (3 credits) - MEIS 796: Students can complete an internship for credit with prior written approval of the director.
meis.gmu.edu
Spring 2016 Courses
Accelerated Masters
ANTH 650 Ethnography Methods/Research Design ** M, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Andrew Bickford
Accelerated Masters Option only available for Current Mason Students:
GOVT 500 The Scientific Method and Research Design ** R, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Jennifer Victor GOVT 632 Politics and Societies of the Middle East * M, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Bassam Haddad GOVT 739 001 War on Terror *** T, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Mark Katz GOVT 739 004 The Arab Uprisings *** R, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Rola El-Husseini HIST 585 001 Political Thought in Muslim Societies *** M, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Huseyin Yilmaz HIST 585 002 Shi’ism and Sectarianism *** R, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Sumaiya Hamdani
Mason undergraduate students majoring in Government and International Politics, Global Affairs, History, Religious Studies, Sociology or Anthropology with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and two letters of recommendation from Mason faculty may take up to 6 hours of reserve graduate credit that can be applied towards both their undergraduate requirements as well as the requirements of the MEIS program if they are successful in gaining admission to the latter. This option can allow students to complete their graduate studies more quickly, but requires some advance planning. Students interested in exploring the Accelerated Masters option should contact the MEIS Program Administrator, Erin McSherry ([email protected]). Visit http://chss.gmu.edu/acceleratedmasters/about for more details about the Accelerated Masters, as this option follows a separate application process.
HIST 610 The Study and Writing of History ** T, 7:20 - 10:00PM Instructor: Joan Bristol RELI 645 Comparative Muslim Theologies: Sunni/Shi’i *** T, 4:30 - 7:10PM Instructor: Abdulaziz Sachedina
* Core Course ** Methods Course *** Elective Course
meis.gmu.edu
