The undergraduate programs in World Islamic and Middle East Studies offer students language-based interdisciplinary training about the Islamic world. Combining humanities and social-science approaches, the programs introduce students to the textual traditions and social life of Muslims – and the non-Muslims interacting with them – in different times and places, including but not limited to the Middle East.
Students in the programs learn about the complexity and variety of Muslim societies and cultures across the world, paying attention to regional specificities but also becoming aware of past and present global links. With solid grounding in language training (Arabic, Persian, Turkish or Urdu), students take courses on history, law, sciences, philosophy, art, literature, political science, and anthropology, combining knowledge about the contemporary Islamic world and the traditions that are important for understanding it.
The Institute of Islamic Studies offers a Major and a Minor Concentration, an Honours and Joint Honours Program for students wishing to pursue more in-depth studies, and Language Minors in Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Urdu for students interested in language training.