Language: To obtain the B.A. degree with a Middle Eastern and Islamic studies major, students must meet the CAS language requirement in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hindi, or Urdu. This means (1) studying one of these languages at least through the intermediate level (four semesters) at NYU; (2) demonstrating the completion of equivalent course work elsewhere; or (3) satisfying the CAS language requirement by exam in one of these languages. Under exceptional circumstances the director of undergraduate studies may exempt a student from having to fulfill the language requirement, in which case the student will be required to take 10 MEIS nonlanguage courses to satisfy the major.

Course Requirements: In addition to the language requirement, majors must successfully complete at least six MEIS courses. At least one of the six must be an undergraduate seminar offered under the Topics rubric; with the permission of the instructor, this requirement may be fulfilled with a graduate seminar.

The six MEIS courses are to be distributed as follows: (1) Two courses from the MEIS history list; (2) one course from the MEIS literature list; (3) one course from the MEIS religion list; (4) two elective courses from the MEIS course list of the undergraduate’s choosing.

MINOR

Students who wish to minor in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies must complete either (1) at least four nonlanguage courses that are offered by MEIS or are cross-listed by MEIS and approved by the director of undergraduate studies or their MEIS adviser or (2) four courses in Arabic, Persian, or Turkish, provided that these courses are not used to satisfy the CAS foreign language requirement.

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN MIDDLE EASTERN AND ISLAMIC STUDIES

The department offers the following awards for excellence: the Rumi-Biruni Prize for excellence in Persian studies, the Ibn Khaldun Prize for excellence in Arabic studies, the Evliya Chelebi Prize for excellence in Turkish studies, and the Premchand Prize for excellence in Hindi and Urdu studies.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The department participates in the College of Arts and Science internship program. See the director of undergraduate studies for further information.

HONORS PROGRAM

Eligibility: Any student majoring in the department who has spent at least two full years in residence at the College of Arts and Science and who has completed at least 60 points of graded work in the College. The student must maintain a general grade point average of 3.65 and a major average of 3.65.

Requirements: (1) Completion of the major requirements. (2) Completion of at least two graduate-level courses with a grade point average of 3.0. These courses may be used to complete part of the major requirement. (3) Have no grade lower than a C in a Middle Eastern and Islamic studies course. (4) Write an honors paper of 50-60 double-spaced, typed pages under the supervision of an MEIS faculty member, for which up to four points of Independent Study credit may be awarded (V77.0997, 0998). The subject of the honors paper and the faculty supervisor will be chosen in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies.