Admission to this program has been suspended. Students interested in Islamic World Studies can now pursue a minor in Global Studies with a focus on Arabic and the Middle East.

Islamic World Studies (IWS) is Catholic University’s multidisciplinary program focused on the societies, cultures, religious traditions, and politics of the Muslim world. Open to all Catholic University undergraduates, the program offers a Certificate in Arabic & IWS and a Minor in IWS in the School of Arts and Sciences. These programs supplement undergraduate majors by assembling University offerings on the Islamic world, covering the Middle East and Africa to South and Southeast Asia to Europe and the Americas, from the emergence of Islam until today. IWS draws on the expertise of scholars in Modern Languages, History, Media Studies, Semitics, Anthropology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, as well as resources of the J.K. Mullen Library and the Consortium of Washington Area Universities.

Spring 2025 Courses

HIST 310: Sultans, Slaves, Soldiers: The Ottoman Empire, TTh 9:40-10:55

HIST 419: Genghis Khan: World Destroyer or Civilization Builder? T 2:10-4:40

PHIL 354: History of Medieval Philosophy, TTh 9:40-10:55 and 3:40-4:55

SEM 247: Arabic Literature in Translation, MW 11:10-12:25

TRS 398: Introduction to Islam, TTh 12:40-1:55

Arabic Courses

ARAB 102: Elementary Modern Standard Arabic II, MWF 12:40-1:55

ARAB 104: Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic II, MWF 2:10-3:25

SEM 242: Introduction to Arabic II, MW 9:40-10:55 (instructor's permission required)