The Minor in Islamic World Studies (IWS) allows students to focus their elective and liberal arts requirements on the cultures, religions, history, and politics of the Islamic world. It provides an excellent foundation for students interested in pursuing careers or graduate studies in fields from foreign service to Islamic studies and beyond.

Requirements

The Minor in IWS requires the completion of six qualified courses. At least one must focus on the modern period (Islam in Modernity list) and one on the premodern period (Premodern Islamic World list). Students choose any four further courses they like.

How does the minor differ from the certificate? The minor does not require Arabic language courses.

How do I choose courses? The same content courses that count toward the Certificate in Arabic and IWS count toward the minor as well.

Students interested in studying modern Arabic but not to the extent required for the certificate may count ARAB 103-104 as two of the six required Minor courses.

Majors: Students may count up to two qualified courses in their majors toward the certificate.

Liberal Arts Curriculum and Focus Area: The certificate fulfills the Focus Area requirements of the School of Arts and Science's Liberal Arts Curriculum. Students may also count two qualified Liberal Arts courses for the certificate.

 
Program policies: Students must receive a grade no lower than C- in a course to count it toward the IWS Minor. The six courses must total 18 credit hours and must be drawn from no fewer than three CUA departments and/or schools. Students interested in counting Arabic courses toward the Minor must complete both ARAB 103 and 104; no credit toward the IWS minor is given for completing only the first semester of the sequence. Students who do not complete ARAB 103 and 104 may count ARAB 130 toward the Minor; students who count ARAB 103 and 104 as two of their minor courses may not count ARAB 130 as a third.