Nov 03, 2024  
2024-2025 University of Wyoming Catalog 
    
2024-2025 University of Wyoming Catalog

Middle East/North Africa Minor


For the purposes of this minor, we define Middle East/North Africa loosely, to include the peoples, languages, religions and heritages of the wide swath of present-day states from Morocco (west) to Iran (east), and from Turkey (north) to Yemen (south), from ancient times to modern times. This proposal is for a “stand-alone” minor, which can be fulfilled by any UW student in any college, any major.

General Information


  • All students must complete a prerequisite of two terms of a relevant Middle East language such as Arabic, Hebrew, Persian (Farsi) or Turkish, or demonstrate proficiency at the one-year level. Students then complete 15-16 credit hours with grade of “C” or higher.
  • Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to complete the Minor.
  • Although Arabic is the only Language formally offered at UW, instruction in Hebrew for academic credit is at times available; students may also provide evidence of language proficiency of a minimum equivalent to a 0+ level on the ILR scale, indicating basic familiarity with the language.
  • Students who are considering the Minor would typically need to begin planning for this during their Freshman or Sophomore years.
  • Pre-existing knowledge of a MENA language, however, would allow for all requirements of the MENA minor to be completed in just two academic years.

Arabic Language & Culture Track


Language prerequisites to Minor


(8 credits, does not count toward minor)

Mandatory semester language study abroad or equivalent


Minimum of 3 credits must be from MENA language study abroad in a MENA country. For students that cannot travel abroad, this requirement may be fulfilled by participation in a domestic language immersion program (e.g. Concordia College’s Language Villages, among others)

Required Elective course - 3 credits


Total number of credits: 16


Middle East/North Africa Studies Track


Language Prerequisite to the Minor


(credits for this do not count toward minor)

Distributed requirements


Middle East/North Africa art - 3 credits


One course focused on Middle East/North Africa art

History Focus - 3 credits


One additional course with a focus on History (other than HIST 3220), any period with at least 50% MENA content - must be approved by MENA Studies Program Director.

Electives - 3 credits


  • Middle Eastern language study beyond pre-req level, such as ARBC 2030 and above.
  • Study abroad in the Middle East: Faculty-Led study abroad courses or intensive or semester courses focused on Middle Eastern languages, cultures, politics, etc.
  • Courses from the full list below.

Total Credits - 15