Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
Department Website:
https://www.haverford.edu/meis
The Concentration in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies gives students basic knowledge of the Middle East and broader Muslim world, and allows students to employ discipline-specific tools for advanced work in this area.
The faculty at Haverford College who research and study the Middle East and Islam are committed to educating students about the politics, histories, and socio-cultural formations of the Middle East and broader Muslim world. We believe that our students must have basic knowledge about the Middle East and Islam if they are to participate thoughtfully and constructively in the many contentious debates that frame public discourse about Muslims and the Middle East today.
Learning Goals
Students in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies will:
- learn the politics, histories, and socio-cultural formations of the Middle East and broader Muslim world.
- gain knowledge of key political, economic, and social issues in the contemporary Middle East.
- demonstrate basic knowledge of a language pertinent to the students’ areas of research.
Haverford’s Institutional Learning Goals are available on the President’s website, at http://hav.to/learninggoals.
Curriculum
An “Area of Concentration” at Haverford is designed to facilitate the pursuit of an area of study distinct from a major, but which a student can use the disciplinary tools of the major to pursue. To that end, at least two courses, and no more than three, may fulfill both the student’s major requirements and the concentration requirements. In practical terms, this means that students who want to concentrate in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies usually major in anthropology, comparative literature, history, political science, or religion.
In some cases, students may find that they can combine other majors with a concentration in MEIS (for example, History of Art and Growth and Structure of Cities at Bryn Mawr are two departments that sometimes have two or three course offerings that could count for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies). Students who can demonstrate that at least two courses in their major are about Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies can petition the concentration coordinator and faculty to approve their major as one that can be linked to the MEIS concentration.
We strongly encourage students with interests in the Middle East and Islam to meet with the concentration coordinator early in their college program (during their first and second years). We also invite students to take advantage of Haverford’s study abroad programs in Jordan, Morocco, Israel, and other appropriate locations to advance their work in the concentration.
Concentration Requirements
The MEIS concentration is normally available to students majoring in anthropology, history, political science, religion, or comparative literature. Courses from their major must represent at least two but no more than three of the requirements detailed below. Proposals to concentrate on the basis of other majors must be approved in advance by concentration coordinator.
Language Competence
Students must demonstrate competence above the basic level in a language pertinent to their area of research:
- In cases where a student has selected Arabic as their relevant language, this means completion of ARAB H002/ARAB S002.
- If a student is doing research for which another language is more appropriate, they may need to study at the University of Pennsylvania (Pashtu, Persian, Turkish and Swahili) or Bryn Mawr (Hebrew), or take other Haverford language classes (e.g., Chinese, French).
Some study abroad programs are also suitable for gaining language competence. Students should consult with the concentration coordinator about the course of language study to fill this requirement.
Core Courses
Students must take two of the core courses listed below, in which they learn about the Middle East and Islam. Students must choose from two of the four departments listed (e.g., history and political science, anthropology and religion, political science and religion). Students should consult the concentration coordinator to ensure they fill this requirement.
By completing this core requirement, students gain broad exposure to the history and politics of the Middle East, and to Islam as a major world religion and social and political force that began in, and continues to be affected by, the Middle East.
The core course options are:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropology | ||
| ANTH H253 | 1.0 | |
| ANTH H259 | Ethnography of Islam | 1.0 |
| History | ||
| HIST H117 | 1.0 | |
| Political Science | ||
| POLS H256 | The Evolution of the Jihadi Movement | 1.0 |
| POLS H357 | International Relations Theory: Conflict and the Middle East | 1.0 |
| Religion | ||
| RELG H106 | The Sense and Senses of Islam | 1.00 |
| RELG H107 | 1.00 | |
| RELG H259 | 1.00 | |
Elective Courses
Students should pursue areas of inquiry related to the Middle East and/or Islam and specific to their interests by taking four electives, at least one of which is at the 300 level. Examples might include anthropological approaches to the study of Islam or Middle East, Middle Eastern Nationalism, Islam in African politics, Israeli politics, evolution of the Jihadi movement, modern Arabic literature, etc.
To fulfill their elective credit, students may select from a list of designated electives at Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore, or request approval from the concentration coordinator to take other appropriate courses at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, or the University of Pennsylvania’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Program. Students may also petition the concentration coordinator and MEIS faculty for approval of a course that is not on the electives list but which the student feels provides important content for their specific research topic.
See the end of this section of the Catalog for a sampling of courses that count toward the MEIS concentration. For more information about core and elective courses, contact the concentration coordinator.
No more than four of the six concentration credits may come from institutions outside of the Tri-Co.
Senior Thesis
Students must write a thesis in their major department (anthropology, history, political science, or religion) that addresses Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and that the concentration coordinator (as well as the major advisor) approves. The concentration coordinator must approve this thesis topic in advance to count for the MEIS concentration. To request approval, students should submit a brief (one page) thesis proposal to the concentration coordinator and arrange a meeting to discuss the proposal.
Affiliated Faculty
Pika GhoshVisiting Associate Professor of Religion
Guangtian Ha
Assistant Professor of Religion
Anita Isaacs
The Benjamin Collins 1920 Professor of Social Science; Professor of Political Science
Alexander Kitroeff
Professor of History
Naomi Koltun-Fromm
Professor and Chair of Religion
Anne McGuire
The Kies Family Professor of Humanities; Associate Professor of Religion; Coordinator of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
Barak Mendelsohn
Professor of Political Science
Zainab Saleh
Associate Professor of Anthropology
Bethel Saler
Associate Professor of History
Courses
Political Science Courses
POLS H151 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (1.0 Credit)
Barak Mendelsohn
Division: Social Science
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World,
This course offers an introduction to the study of international politics. It considers examples from history and addresses contemporary issues, while introducing and evaluating the political theories that have been used by scholars to explain those events. The principal goal of the course is to develop a general set of analytical approaches that can be used to gain insight into the nature of world politics – past, present and future.
(Offered: Fall 2023)
POLS H151 INTERNATIONAL POLITICS (1.0 Credit)
Barak Mendelsohn, Staff
Division: Social Science
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World,
This course offers an introduction to the study of international politics. It considers examples from history and addresses contemporary issues, while introducing and evaluating the political theories that have been used by scholars to explain those events. The principal goal of the course is to develop a general set of analytical approaches that can be used to gain insight into the nature of world politics – past, present and future.
(Offered: Fall 2023)
POLS H256 THE EVOLUTION OF THE JIHADI MOVEMENT (1.0 Credit)
Barak Mendelsohn
Division: Social Science
This course explores the evolution of the jihadi movement, focusing on its ideological development throughout the twentieth century, and the structural changes it has gone through since the jihad to drive the Soviets out of Afghanistan during the 1980s.
POLS H289 IMMIGRATION POLITICS AND POLICY (1.0 Credit)
Anita Isaacs
Division: Social Science
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World
Examines the causes and rights of forced migrants and refugees along with the responses and responsibilities of the international community. Focus on Mexico and Central America. Prerequisite(s): One political science course or instructor consent
POLS H297 POLITICS AND SOCIETY IN THE ARAB GULF STATES (1.0 Credit)
Division: Social Science
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World
This course seeks to: first, uncover and explain the societal impact of rapid shifts in the Gulf states with a specific focus on youth, women, religious actors, tribal groups, migrant workers and human rights; Second, examine the rentier state and the functioning of the social contract in rentier states; And finally, explore why political liberalization does not coincide with the socio-economic and cultural reforms in the Arab Gulf states. Lottery Preference: MEIS and political science majors first
POLS H333 INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (1.0 Credit)
Barak Mendelsohn
Division: Social Science
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World
This course offers an introduction to the study of international security. It considers examples from history and addresses contemporary issues, while introducing and evaluating the political theories that have been used by scholars to explain those events. The principal goal of the course is to develop a general set of analytical approaches that can be used to gain insight into the nature of world politics - past, present and future. The first section introduces key conceptual issues and review main theoretical approaches in the field. The second section addresses specific issues in international security such as war, military doctrines, alliances, crisis, deterrence, grand strategy, and proliferation.
Religion Courses
RELG H106 THE SENSE AND SENSES OF ISLAM (1.0 Credit)
Guangtian Ha
Division: Humanities
Domain(s): A: Meaning, Interpretation (Texts); B: Analysis of the Social World
This course introduces students to the debates about the senses in Islam. What is the relationship between sound and the sacred, between the sensorium and the meanings of Islam? Course readings will include Sufi texts, works by Islamic scholars, ethnographies of Muslim musical practices, as well as philosophical works.
(Offered: Spring 2024)
RELG H110 SACRED TEXTS AND RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS (1.0 Credit)
Anne McGuire
Division: Humanities
Domain(s): A: Meaning, Interpretation (Texts); B: Analysis of the Social World
An introduction to Religion through the close reading of selected sacred texts of various religious traditions in their historical, literary, philosophical, and religious contexts.
(Offered: Fall 2023)
RELG H150 SOUTH ASIAN RELIGIOUS CULTURES (1.0 Credit)
Pika Ghosh
Division: Humanities
Domain(s): B: Analysis of the Social World
An introductory course covering the variegated expressions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Sikhism in South Asia.
RELG H159 GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN ISLAMIC TEXTS AND PRACTICES (1.0 Credit)
Guangtian Ha
Division: First Year Writing
This course introduces students to the different views of gender and sexuality in Islamic thought, and situates these views within Muslim histories and societies. We will draw on primary sources, historiographical work, ethnographies of Muslim societies, fiction, poetry, and play. One major focus will be on homosexuality in Islam and Muslim societies. In the course of this examination we will also have a chance to question what “homosexuality” is and whether this term can be applied cross-culturally and cross-religiously. To think critically about homosexuality in Islam will thus compel us to reconsider homosexuality and Islam at once. Open only to first-year students as assigned by the Director of College Writing.
RELG H212 JERUSALEM: CITY, HISTORY AND REPRESENTATION (1.0 Credit)
Naomi Koltun-Fromm
Division: Humanities
An examination of the history of Jerusalem as well as a study of Jerusalem as religious symbol and how the two interact over the centuries. Readings from ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary sources as well as material culture and art.
Writing Program Courses
WRPR H159 GENDER AND SEXUALITY IN ISLAMIC TEXTS AND PRACTICES (1.0 Credit)
Guangtian Ha
Division: First Year Writing
This course introduces students to the different views of gender and sexuality in Islamic thought, and situates these views within Muslim histories and societies. We will draw on primary sources, historiographical work, ethnographies of Muslim societies, fiction, poetry, and play. One major focus will be on homosexuality in Islam and Muslim societies. In the course of this examination we will also have a chance to question what “homosexuality” is and whether this term can be applied cross-culturally and cross-religiously. To think critically about homosexuality in Islam will thus compel us to reconsider homosexuality and Islam at once. Open only to first-year students as assigned by the Director of College Writing.