FIVE COLLEGE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES
FIVE COLLEGE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES
The Five College Middle Eastern Studies Certificate provides the opportunity for serious study of the Middle East at Amherst College. The Program is administered by the Five College Committee for Middle Eastern Studies, which includes the program advisors from each of the five colleges. Students are encouraged to declare intentions and begin work with an advisor by the sophomore year. Students work closely with a Middle East Certificate Advisor to develop a particular focus of study, as well as a solid interdisciplinary foundation for a nuanced and complex understanding of the region’s history, politics, religion, and literature. Competence in a Middle Eastern language (Arabic, Turkish, Persian or Hebrew) is considered essential to this certificate. Study abroad is strongly encouraged.
The certificate requires (a) Two introductory history courses, one in the premodern (before 1800) and one in the modern period; (b) Five courses from four disciplines (Religion and Philosophy; History, Literature and Art; Social Science); Language (beyond the two years of required language). Students must take at least one course in the first three disciplines; no more than two courses in any single discipline will count towards the certificate; and (c) Two years of a Middle Eastern language (demonstrated either in coursework or competence). Courses from all Five Colleges with a minimum grade of B count towards the certificate.
Further information about this certificate is available at http://www.fivecolleges.edu/sites/middleeast/certificate. The Amherst faculty advisor for 2016-17 is Professor Monica Ringer of the History department.