MIDDLE EASTERN AND SOUTH ASIAN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES MAJOR

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Overview

The Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Cultures offers a major in Middle Eastern and South Asian Languages and Literatures for students wanting to achieve proficiency in an MESALC language and a deeper understanding of its literatures. The core of this major is a high level of competency in the language and a more focused set of concentration courses.

Major Requirements

Prerequisite:

• 202/206 level of an MESALC language. A grade of C or higher must be earned in each semester of 201-202 or 106-206
• 2 three-credit non-language courses in MESALC or one such course in MESALC and one course in either History or Religious Studies. One of the MESALC courses must be one of the introductory courses: MESA 101, MEST 110, or SAST 110. The course in History must have the mnemonic HIME or HISA, and the course in Religious Studies must be either RELG 104 or one of the RELB, RELH, or RELI courses. Each of these two courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
  

Requirements:

• 30 credits in MESALC and related courses, of which
  • 18 credits must be in one MESALC language, or, at the discretion of the major advisor, 12 in one and at least 6 in a second language in the same region;
  • Tibetan may be used as a second language in the South Asian region. Biblical Hebrew may be used as a second language in the Middle East region. The 12 credits for the first language must be beyond the 202/206 level. The 6 credits for the second language may be taken at any level.
• 12 credits of the 30 must be in MESALC and related courses, of which
  • 6 credits must be in regional concentration courses from 2 of the following 6 areas: MESALC (non-language courses), Anthropology, Art History, Politics, History, and Religious Studies (See course listings by area: Middle East, South Asia for possible courses. See Course Offering Directory for current listings); and
  • 6 credits are to be determined in consultation with the major advisor. These courses may be further MESALC language study or non-language, regional concentration courses in MESALC.
• a maximum of 15 study abroad credits and domestic transfer credits may be allowed (at the discretion of Griffith Chaussee, the Director of Undergraduate Programs).
  

It is crucial that language training begin early in the student's career.

Summer study and study abroad are also encouraged. (See the Resources section of the MESALC website for study abroad programs)

GPA Requirements

Students in this major must maintain a satisfactory grade point in major and related courses each semester. Satisfactory is defined as an average of C (i.e., 2.0). Students not maintaining this grade point may be discontinued from the major.

Declaring the Major

1. Select a MESALC language or languages and consult with Griffith Chaussee, the Director of Undergraduate Programs.
2. Review course listings by area (Middle East, South Asia) and the major requirements sheet by language. You may download the major requirements sheet (see above) or obtain one from the departmental office in B027 Cabell Hall.
3. Obtain the following two forms: Declaration of Major Advising Form and Declaration of Major for the B.A. or B.S. Degree form from The College of Arts and Sciences. You may download the Declaration of Major Advising Form (see above). The Declaration of Major Form can be found in Garrett Hall. All forms are also available in B027 Cabell Hall.
4. Complete the top portion of the Declaration of Major Advising Form and Declaration of Major form.
5. Make an appointment with Griffith Chaussee, the Director of Undergraduate Programs.
6. Bring the following items to your meeting with the DUP: Declaration of Major Advising Form, and College of Arts and Sciences Declaration of Major Form.
7. Submit all forms and copies to the appropriate parties (as indicated on the bottom of the forms).

Advisor (Director of Undergraduate Program)

• Griffith Chaussée (gc4n@virginia.edu)