The study of a world region is intended to provide students with a broad, integrated overview of the influences that have shaped, and continue to shape, its internal evolution as well as the role it plays in the world. The Middle East Studies major introduces students to the cultural, economic. historical and political forces that have combined to determine its contemporary character, shape U.S. policy towards the region and produce the resurgence of Islam that it is currently experiencing.
Students pursuing both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree or Bachelors of Science (BS) degree are required to complete a minimum of two years of foreign language study in a language appropriate to the chosen specialization. Ohio State currently offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish.
To learn more about major requirements, check out the links below. Requirements and course offerings do change, so if you have any questions please reach out to internationalstudies@osu.edu or contact your academic advisor.
Bachelor of Arts
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), Data Analysis (DA) and Technology (TECH). These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below.
Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW)
Methods & Analysis: Choose one course (3 hours)
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis (DA)
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data (DA)
- Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization (DA)
- Sociology 5650 - Presenting & Communicating Quantitative Data (DA)
Primary Specialization & Secondary Specialization
If Middle East Studies is your Primary Specialization, choose five courses (15 hours). You will choose an additional 3 courses (9 hours) for your Secondary Specialization.
If Middle East Studies is your Secondary Specialization, choose three courses (9 hours).
- ANTHROP / NELC 2241 - Middle East Close Up
- ANTHROP 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- ARABIC 3702 - Place, Space, & Migration in Arabic Literature
- ARABIC 3705 - A Thousand & One Nights: Storytelling in Arabic & World Literature
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- HEBREW 3245 - Israeli Film & Society
- HEBREW 3703 - Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible & Post-Biblical Literature
- HEBREW 3704 - Women in the Bible & Beyond
- HEBREW 3705 - Israeli Society & the Holocaust
- HISTART 3211 - Art & Civilization in the Near East
- HISTORY 3351 - Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- HISTORY 3365 - History of Afghanistan
- HISTORY 3450 - History of Ancient Israel
- HISTORY 3505 - U.S. Diplomacy in the Middle East
- INTSTDS 2200 - Introduction to the Middle East
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
- INTSTDS/NELC/SLAVIC 5020 - Oligarchs, Penthouses, & Yachts: Eurasian Elites
- INTSTDS 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- ISLAM 3201 - Muslims in America & Europe: Citizenship & Living Between Worlds
- ISLAM 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- ISLAM 3355 - The Early Islamic Conquests (630-750 CE)
- ISLAM 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- ISLAM 3702 - Literature & Culture of the Islamic World
- ISLAM 4597 - Islamic Revival & Social Justice: Utopian Ideals & Lived Realities
- ISLAM 4626 - Introduction to the Arabic Qur’an
- ISLAM 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- NELC 3702 - Literatures & Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3704 - The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 3230 - Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs & History
- NELC 4601 - Israeli & Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5204 - Culture & Politics in Central Asia
- PERSIAN 3350 - Iranian Society Today: Internal Conflicts & Social Movements
- POLITSC 4327 - Politics in the Middle East
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)
- TURKISH 3350 - Contemporary Issues in Turkey
- TURKISH 3797 - Virtual Education Abroad in Istanbul, Turkey
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing, Data Analysis, and Technology. These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below.
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- INTTDS 2200 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- INTSTDS 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- Political Science - 4327 Politics in the Middle East
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours0, must include one EL Technology, one EL Advanced Writing, & one EL Data Analysis
- Anthropology 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Arabic 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- History 3350 - Middle East in the 19th Century
- History 3351 - Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- INTSTDS 3400 - Analysis & Display of Data (EL Data Analysis)
- INTSTDS 3450 - Human Rights: An Introduction
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in the Information Age (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4700 - Terror & Terrorism (EL Advanced Writing)
- INTSTDS 4701 - The Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (EL Technology)
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (EL Advanced Writing)
- Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization (EL Data Analysis)
- NELC 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- NELC 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- NELC 3502 - Islamic Civilization through the Ages
- NELC 5204 - Culture & Politics in Central Asia
Electives: Choose 2 courses (6 hours)
For electives, students can choose any combination of two courses from other International Studies specializations, the list below and unused courses from the Critical Perspectives.
- Arabic 3301 - Contemporary Folklore in the Arab World
- Arabic 5702 - Arabic Folk Narrative in Translation
- History 3365 - History of Afghanistan
- History 3450 - History of Ancient Israel (to 300 B.C.E.)
- History 3470 - Messiahs and Messianism in Jewish History
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- NELC 3230 - Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs and History
- NELC 3700 - Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
- NELC 3702 - Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3703 - Middle Eastern Literature and Post-Colonial Theory
- NELC 3704 - The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 4601 - Israeli and Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5112 - Languages and Cultures of the Middle East
- NELC 5202 - Representing the Near East in Film
- NELC 5206 - Colonial Cities in Post-Colonial Memory
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- INTSTDS 2200 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- INTSTDS 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- Political Science 4327 - Politics in the Middle East
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- Anthropology 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Arabic 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- History 3350 - Middle East in the 19th Century
- History 3351 - Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- NELC 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- NELC 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- NELC 3502 - Islamic Civilization through the Ages
- NELC 5204 - Culture & Politics in Central Asia
- NELC 5575 - Intellectuals in the Middle East
- NELC 5578 - Islamic Law & Society
Electives: Choose 2 courses (6 hours)
For electives, students can choose any combination of two courses from other International Studies specializations, the list below and unused courses from the Critical Perspectives.
- Arabic 3301 Contemporary Folklore in the Arab World
- Arabic 5702 Arabic Folk Narrative in Translation
- History 3360 History of Iran
- History 3365 History of Afghanistan
- History 3450 History of Ancient Israel (to 300 B.C.E.)
- History 3470 Messiahs and Messianism in Jewish History
- INTSTDS 3400 The Analysis and Display of Data
- INTSTDS 4195 - Selected Problems in International Studies
- INTSTDS 4200 - Living Jerusalem
- INTSTDS 4252 - The Taliban Struggle for Power in Modern Afghanistan
- INTSTDS 4253 - Central Asia in World Affairs
- INTSTDS 5191 - Student Internship Program
- NELC 3230 Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs and History
- NELC 3700 Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
- NELC 3702 Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3703 Middle Eastern Literature and Post-Colonial Theory
- NELC 3704 The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 4601 Israeli and Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5112 Languages and Cultures of the Middle East
- NELC 5202 Representing the Near East in Film
- NELC 5206 Colonial Cities in Post-Colonial Memory
Bachelor of Science
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing (AW), and Technology (TECH), and complete a 3- course sequence in Data Analysis (DA). These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below.
Required Foundations: 2 courses (6 hours)
- INTSTDS 3850 - Introduction to Globalization
- INTSTDS 4852 - Research in Globalization (AW)
Data Analysis: 3 courses (9 hours), Choose 1 3-course sequence)
- Series 1
- Geography 4103 - Introductory Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5103 - Intermediate Spatial Data Analysis
- Geography 5210 - Fundamentals of Geographic Information System
- Series 2
- INTSTDS 3400 - The Analysis & Display of Data or Political Science 3780 - Data Literacy & Data Visualization
- Political Science 4781- Data Literacy in Political Science I
- Political Science 4782 - Data Literacy in Political Science II
- Series 3
- Statistics 2450.01 or 2450.02 Introduction to Statistical Analysis I
- Statistics 3301 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery I
- Statistics 3302 - Statistical Modeling for Discovery II
Specialization: Choose 6 courses (18 hours)
- ANTHROP 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- ARABIC 3702 - Place, Space, & Migration in Arabic Literature
- ARABIC 3705 - A Thousand & One Nights: Storytelling in Arabic & World Literature
- COMM 3554 - Social Implications of Communication Technology (TECH)
- HEBREW/JEWSHST 3245 - Israeli Film & Society
- HEBREW/JEWSHST 3703 - Prophecy in the Hebrew Bible & Post-Biblical Literature
- HEBREW/JEWSHST 3704 - Women in the Bible & Beyond
- HEBREW 3705 - Israeli Society & the Holocaust
- HISTART 3211 - Art & Civilization in the Near East
- HISTORY 3351 - Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- HISTORY 3365 - History of Afghanistan
- HISTORY 3450 - History of Ancient Israel
- HISTORY 3505 - U.S. Diplomacy in the Middle East
- INTSTDS/NELC 2200 - Introduction to the Middle East
- INTSTDS/GEOG 3650 - A World Divided? Place, Space, and Regions in World Affairs
- INTSTDS 3703 - Ethical Issues in Information Technology (TECH)
- INTSTDS/ECON/AEDECON 4537 - Middle Eastern Economic Development
- INTSTDS 4701 - Development & Control of Weapons of Mass Destruction (TECH)
- INTSTDS/NELC/SLAVIC 5020 - Oligarchs, Penthouses & Yachts: The Eurasian Elites
- INTSTDS/NELC 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- ISLAM 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- ISLAM 3355 - The Early Islamic Conquests (630-750 CE)
- ISLAM 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- ISLAM 3702 - Literature & Culture of the Islamic World
- ISLAM 4597 - Islamic Revival & Social Justice: Utopian Ideals & Lived Realities
- ISLAM 4626 - Introduction to the Arabic Qur’an
- ISLAM 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- NELC 3702 - Literatures & Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3704 - The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 3230 - Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs & History
- NELC 4601 - Israeli & Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5204 - Culture & Politics in Central Asia
- PERSIAN 3350 - Iranian Society Today: Internal Conflicts & Social Movements
- POLITSC 4327 - Politics in the Middle East
- SOCIOL 3302 - Technology & Global Society (TECH)
- TURKISH 3350 - Contemporary Issues in Turkey
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Embedded Literacies: 3 courses (9 hours)
Students must complete at least one course each in Advanced Writing, Data Analysis, and Technology. These courses are part of the major and courses which fulfill the requirements are indicated below. The Stats 2450.01 prerequisite satisfies the EL Data Analysis.
Required Minor:
Students must complete one of the following minors, or a second major in the same field:
- Agribusiness: 4-5 courses (minimum 12 hours)
- Prerequisite: AEDECON 2001, or Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02
- Business: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Prerequisites: Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02, CSE 1110 or higher, Math 1130 or 1148 or math placement in M or L.
- City and Regional Planning: 4 courses (12 hours)
- Environmental Science: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Geographic Information Science: 6 courses (18 hours)
- Global Public Health: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Information Security: 6 courses (16 hours)
- Consult INTSTDS advisor for prerequisites and scheduling
- International Business: 6 courses (15 hours)
- Quantitative Economics: 5 courses (15-16 hours)
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON/INTSTDS 4537 Middle Eastern Economic Development
- INTSTDS 2200 - Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- INTSTDS 5645 - Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- Political Science 4327 - Politics in the Middle East
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours), must include one EL Technology & one EL Advanced Writing
- Anthropology 3451 Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Arabic 5701 The Qur’an in Translation
- History 3350 Middle East in the 19th Century
- History 3351 Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- International Studies 3703 Ethical Issues in the Information Age (EL Technology)
- International Studies 4700 Terror & Terrorism (EL Advanced Writing)
- International Studies 4701 Weapons of Mass Destruction (EL Technology)
- International Studies 4852 Research in Globalization (EL Advanced Writing)
- NELC 3205 Women in the Muslim Middle East
- NELC 3501 Introduction to Islam
- NELC 3502 Islamic Civilization through the Ages
- NELC 5204 Culture & Politics in Central Asia
Electives: Choose 1 course (3 hours)
For the elective, students can choose from the list below, unused courses from the Critical Perspectives, or a courses from other International Studies specializations.
- Arabic 3301 Contemporary Folklore in the Arab World
- Arabic 5702 Arabic Folk Narrative in Translation
- History 3365 History of Afghanistan
- International Studies 4195 Selected Problems in International Studies
- International Studies 5191 Student Internship Program
- NELC 3230 Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs and History
- NELC 3700 Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
- NELC 3702 Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3703 Middle Eastern Literature and Post-Colonial Theory
- NELC 3704 The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 4601 Israeli and Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5112 Languages and Cultures of the Middle East
- NELC 5202 Representing the Near East in Film
- NELC 5206 Colonial Cities in Post-Colonial Memory
Foreign Language Requirement
This major requires completion of a minimum of two years of language study. Coursework completed at OSU or abroad and/or appropriate placement test results can document this.
To fulfill the foreign language requirement students have three options:
- Complete two years (4 semesters) of a single language
- Complete a foreign language minor
- Complete a second major in a language
For those opting to complete two years in a single language, OSU offers courses in Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Turkish. After completing 1101, 1102, 1103, you must complete one advanced language course at the 2000 level.
Required Minor:
Students must complete one of the following minors, or a second major in the same field:
- Agribusiness: 4-5 courses (minimum 12 hours)
- Prerequisite: AEDECON 2001, or Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02
- Business: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Prerequisites: Econ 2001.01 or 2001.02, CSE 1110 or higher, Math 1130 or 1148 or math placement in M or L.
- City and Regional Planning: 4 courses (12 hours)
- Environmental Science: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Geographic Information Science: 6 courses (18 hours)
- Global Public Health: 5 courses (15 hours)
- Information Security: 6 courses (16 hours)
- Consult INTSTDS advisor for prerequisites and scheduling
- International Business: 6 courses (15 hours)
- Quantitative Economics: 5 courses (15-16 hours)
Required Foundations: 4 courses (12 hours)
- AEDECON or INTSTDS 4537 Middle Eastern Economic Development
- International Studies 2200 Introduction to the Modern Middle East
- International Studies 5645 Contemporary Issues in the Middle East
- Political Science 4327 Politics in the Middle East
Critical Perspectives: Choose 4 courses (12 hours)
- Anthropology 3451 - Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
- Arabic 5701 - The Qur’an in Translation
- History 3350 - Middle East in the 19th Century
- History 3351 - Intellectual & Social Movements in the Muslim World
- NELC 3205 - Women in the Muslim Middle East
- NELC 3501 - Introduction to Islam
- NELC 3502 - Islamic Civilization through the Ages
- NELC 5204 - Culture & Politics in Central Asia
- NELC 5575 - Intellectuals in the Middle East
- NELC 5578 - Islamic Law & Society
Electives: Choose 1 course (3 hours)
For the elective, students can choose from the list below, unused courses from the Critical Perspectives, or a courses from other International Studies specializations.
- Arabic 3301 Contemporary Folklore in the Arab World
- Arabic 5702 Arabic Folk Narrative in Translation
- History 3360 History of Iran
- History 3365 History of Afghanistan
- International Studies 3400 The Analysis and Display of Data
- International Studies 4195 Selected Problems in International Studies
- International Studies 4200 Living Jerusalem
- International Studies 5191 Student Internship Program
- NELC 3230 Introduction to Shi’i Beliefs and History
- NELC 3700 Mythology of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia
- NELC 3702 Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World
- NELC 3703 Middle Eastern Literature and Post-Colonial Theory
- NELC 3704 The Middle East in the Media
- NELC 4601 Israeli and Palestinian Literature
- NELC 5112 Languages and Cultures of the Middle East
- NELC 5202 Representing the Near East in Film
- NELC 5206 Colonial Cities in Post-Colonial Memory