MIDDLE EASTERN and SOUTH ASIAN STUDIES MAJOR

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Overview

The Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies major is an interdisciplinary major featuring a core of language work and additional coursework in one of two regional concentrations: Middle East or South Asia. Not all concentration courses must be from within MESALC. For instance, a course on Islam in Religious Studies would count towards a concentration in the Middle East or South Asia regions. Current lists of approved concentration courses are posted on the degree program course listings pages by area: Middle East, South Asia (See Course Offering Directory for current semester course offerings). Students are also encouraged to take MESALC and related courses outside their geographical region of concentration.

Major Requirements

Prerequisite:

• Grade of C or better in MEST 110, or SAST 110
• Grade of C or better in each semester of 201, 202 (or 206) in Arabic, Hebrew, Hindi, Persian, Sanskrit, or Urdu.

Requirements:

• 30 credits in MESALC and related courses, with the following distribution:
  • 6 credits of language study beyond the 202 (or 206) level
  • MESA 496 -- 3 credits
  • 7 courses, each at least 3 credits, in one of two regional concentrations: Middle East or South Asia; see course listings by area (Middle East, South Asia) for possible courses. Also see Course Offering Directory for current listings;
    • 1 course must have the mnemonic HIME or HISA, according to the student's concentration
    • 1 course must be in a relevant literature (including literature-in-translation courses)
    • 1 course must be in each of 3 different departments
    • at least 3 courses must be in one department
• Double majoring is encouraged, but students are reminded that 18 credits in each major must come from courses unique to that major; only 12 credits may be shared
• Students are reminded that USEM credits do not count toward major requirements;
• A maximum of 12 study abroad and domestic transfer credits are allowed, with the permission of the major advisor
• Students in this major must maintain a satisfactory grade point average in major courses each semester. Satisfactory is defined as an average of C (i.e., 2.0). Students not maintaining this grade point average are subject to discontinuation from the major.

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 are subject to discontinuation from the major.

Declaring Major

1. Select a region of concentration (Middle East or South Asia)
2. Review course listings by area (Middle East, South Asia) and the major requirements. The major requirements are described above or on the major advising form that you can download or obtain from the department 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, but you must get a paper copy of the College Declaration of Major form either from Garrett Hall or from the department office in B027 Cabell Hall.
4. Complete the top portions of both Declaration of Major forms and make an advising appointment with the MESALC Director of Undergraduate Program, Griffith Chaussee.
5. Bring the following items to your meeting with the advisor: Declaration of Major Advising Form, and College of Arts ands Sciences Declaration of Major form, and a list of courses you anticipate taking to complete the major.
6. Submit all forms and copies to the appropriate parties (as indicated on the bottom of the forms).

Advisor (Director of Undergraduate Programs)

• Griffith Chaussée (gc4n@virginia.edu)