Requirements for the Minor

The Middle East and South Asia studies minor provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in a multidisciplinary study of the history, politics, literature, peoples, and cultures of the Middle East and South Asia. To fulfill the minor, students must complete eighteen hours from an approved list of courses. Students may count no more than 10 hours from any of the foreign language offerings toward the minor.

Approved Courses

Recently approved courses are listed below. The program directors maintain a more complete and up-to-date list of all approved elective courses. Please refer to the undergraduate bulletin for course descriptions.

Affiliated Faculty

Michaelle Browers (program co-director), Political Science, browerm@wfu.edu
Thomas Brister, Political Science, bristet@wfu.edu
Chanchal Dadlani, Art, dadlani@wfu.edu
Neil DeVotta, Political Science, devottn@wfu.edu
Andrew Ettin, English, ettinav@wfu.edu
Steven Folmar, Anthropology, folmarsj@wfu.edu
Omaar Hena, English, henao@wfu.edu
Sandya Hewamanne, Anthropology, hewamask@wfu.edu
Kenneth Hoglund, Religion, hoglund@wfu.edu
Hank Kennedy (program co-director), Political Science, ckennedy@wfu.edu
Darlene May, Arabic, maydr@wfu.edu
Anandra Mitra, Communication, ananda@wfu.edu
Monique O'Connell, History, oconneme@wfu.edu
M. Rais Rahman, History, rahmanmr@wfu.edu
Tanisha Ramachandran, Religion, ramacht@wfu.edu
Michelle Voss Roberts, Divinity School, robertmv@wfu.edu

Penny Sinanoglou, History, sinanopj@wfu.edu
Nelly van Doorn-Harder, Religion, vandoopa@wfu.edu
Timothy Wardle, Religion, wardlets@wfu.edu
Neal Walls, Divinity School, wallsnh@wfu.edu
Jarrod Whitaker, Religion, whitakjl@wfu.edu
Charles Wilkins, History, wilkincl@wfu.edu

Study Abroad Programs

Egypt
Every other summer Wake Forest University runs a study abroad program based in Cairo, Egypt. Students take 6 credit hours in Arabic (beginning, intermediate, or advanced) and a 3 credit hour course in English that draws upon topics relevant to some aspect of Egypt, but varies according to the WFU faculty member directing that particular summer. Students will be housed in a hotel and participate various excursions in and around Cairo. The summer 2012 program will be led by Dr. Michaelle Browers, who will offer POL 278: Politics and Identity (in Egypt). Apply online at http://studyabroad.wfu.edu.

Morocco
Every other summer Wake Forest University runs a study abroad program based at the Arabic Language Institute in Fes, Morocco (ALIF). Students take 6 credit hours in Arabic (beginning, intermediate, or advanced) or French (intermediate only) and a 3 credit hour course in English that draws upon topics relevant to some aspect of Morocco, but varies according to the WFU faculty member directing that particular summer. Students also participate in a homestay with a Moroccan family, weekend excursions, and an end of program country tour. The next program will be held during the summer of 2013 program. Click here to apply online.

India
In the summer of 2011, WFU will again offer a six week program that focuses on Culture & Communication and is based in Calcutta and Delhi, India. The program explores the ways in which Indian cultural practices have developed into a hybridized format with elements that sustain some of the traditional components of Indian culture that have been synthesized with global cultural trends. Includes excursions to Ladakh in the Himalayan region and the "Golden Triangle" that is made up of Agra the site of the Taj Mahal, Jaipur, and Delhi. Click here for more information and to apply online.

Indonesia
Wake Forest University's Summer Program in Indonesia (late May to late June) will offer students an opportunity to explore a complex and diverse multi-cultural country with a focus on the numerous religions that make-up and influence its culture. Students will spend time on the islands of Java and Bali and have the opportunity to explore the complex interaction between religion, culture, and globalization. Two courses will be offered, REL 104 Introduction to Asian Religions (Div. I, CD) and REL 390 Shamans, Sheikhs, and TV Preachers: Indonesian Religions in a Globalizing World taught by Department of Religion professors, Dr. Nelly van Doorn-Harder and Dr. Jarrod Whitaker. Click here for more information and to apply online.

Nepal
Most summers, WFU sponsors a five-week experience in West Nepal. The Summer Program in Nepal (SPIN) is designed to introduce students to Nepali culture through the eyes of the marginalized Dalits (formerly called untouchables). Students live in Dalit households while learning about daily life and the conditions of oppressed peoples. This experience is the subject matter of one 3-hour class, ANT 383. Likewise, students enroll in ANT 384, a field methods course in which they conduct a cultural project related to Dalit lives. Students also visit major cultural sites in Kathmandu and have the opportunity to take a short trek in the Annapurna Himalaya or visit the semi-tropical resorts in the Tarai. Click here for more information and to apply online.

Events of Interest

2011

November 15.  Open House on India Study Abroad Course--Summer II 2012. Students can drop in any time between 10 and 12 or between 1 and 3:30 in room 322 Carswell Hall to meet with Professor Mitra and learn more about the course. Flyer.

November 12. World Cultural Dance-Off: an event to promote cross-cultural understanding through the arts and to provide students with the opportunity to learn about and experience dance as part of specific cultures from across the world.  7 PM in Brendle Recital Hall.  $1 admission.  All proceeds go to the Second Harvest Food Bank. Flyer.

November 9. Lecture on “Yoga: Its Modern Invention and its Contested Use throughout Indian History” by Dr. Jarrod Whitaker (Religion) in ZSR Library’s Auditorium, 4 p.m. Flyer.

November 3. Information Session on WFU Summer 2012 study abroad program in Cairo, Egypt.  4:30pm in Tribble C316.  Flyer.

September 14. A Lecture by Dr. Jonathan Berkey, Professor of History at Davidson College on "Muslim Pasts and Islamic Futures: Narrative, History, and the Future of Islam" from 6-7 pm in DeTamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall). Flyer.

September 12. Lecture by Professor Omar H. Ali of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro on "The Swahili Coast as part of the Indian Ocean African Diaspora." Noon in DeTamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall). Flyer.

April 18. Lecture by Dr. Stephen Sheehi of the University of South Carolina on his new book Islamophobia: The Ideological Campaign Against Muslims.  6:00pm, Scales 102 (Art Wing). Flyer.

April 12. Lecture by Dr. Diane Mines of Appalachian State University on "The Tiger Got Away: A Story about Servitude, History and Power at a Roadside Shrine in South India."  5:30pm, Greene Hall, Room 145. Flyer.

April 12.  A panel discussion about engaging in interfaith dialogue to prevent anti-Muslim sentiments.  Taking recent incidents of anti-Muslim rhetoric, the panelists will explore the goals of the people behind the conflicts and the consequences of their actions.  Featuring, "Overtaken by Islam", a documentary looking at both sides of the debate surrounding the expansion of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro in Tennessee.  Panelists include scholars from the Chaplain's Office, Political Science Department, Department of Religion, and Documentary Film Program.  7pm in Annenberg Forum in Carswell Hall.

April 6. A talk on Islamophobia and the new Muslim narrative by playwright Wajahat Ali.  Ali is a published author, associate editor of online magazine Altmuslim, and a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, The Guardian, Huffington Post, and CNN.com.  His play, The Domestic Crusaders, has been featured by the New York Times, TIME Magazine, and Newsweek and was most recently staged at the Kennedy Center.  The evening will feature a reading by students from The Domestic Crusaders, the first major Muslim American play post September 11th (directed by John Friedenberg). 7pm in Annenberg Forum in Carswell Hall.

April 5. An interdisciplinary panel discussion about the recent uprisings in the Middle East with Dr. Wilkins (History), talking about the historical background of the conflict; Dr. Browers (Political Science), on protest hot spots; Dr. Brister (Political Science), on radical Islamists;Dr. Mitra (Communication), explaining the role of social media in the uprisings. 6:45pm in DeTamble Auditorium. Flyer.

March 23. Budrus. This is a film of the story of a Palestinian community organizer, Ayed Morrar, who unites members of all factions along with Israeli supporters in an unarmed movement to save his village of Budrus from destruction.  Q&A with filmmaker Jessica Devaney (WFU 06). 7:00 PM, Annenberg Forum, Carswell Hall

March 22. “Everyday Shariah: Islamic Law and American Life.” Janaan Hashim, a founding partner of the Amal Law Group, First Muslim Female Law Firm in United States will speak on the Anti-Shariah legislation introduced and/or passed in states such as Oklahoma, Tennessee, Missouri, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, Wyoming. 7:00 PM, Benson Center 401 C-D. 

March 17.  Lecture by Dr. Michaelle Browers (Political Science) on “Egypt and the Tunisia Effect.”  7:00pm in Room A102, Scales Fine Arts Center.  This is part of the “Great Decisions” lecture series.  Flyer.

March 14. Lecture by Dr. Jason Kirk of Elon University on “India and the World Bank:  The Evolution of Development Assistance and Implications for Global Economic Governance.” 6:00pm in Scales 102 (Art Wing). Flyer.

February 14.  Lecture by Dr. Anna Bigelow from North Carolina State University on "Sharing Sacred Space: Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab, India . 5:00pm in DeTamble Auditorium, Tribble Hall. Flyer.

February 3.  Lecture by Dr. Imad Moustapha, Syrian Ambassador to the United States on "Prospects for Peace in the Middle East: A Syrian Perspective." 4:00pm in Carswell Hall, Room 111. Flyer.

2010

November 18.  Information session for WFU’s summer study abroad program in Morocco.  Come listen to faculty discuss the details of this summer’s program and ask any questions you might have. 4:00pm in Wingate Hall, Room 306. Flyer.

November 18. “East Meets West: Encounters Along the Ancient Silk Road.”  Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Ronald Mellor will discuss the interactions between east and west in antiquity. 4:00pm in Annenberg Forum, Carswell Hall. https://www.pbk.org/programs/displayscholars.aspx?id=62

November 18. “Augustus as Pharaoh.” Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar Ronald Mellor will discuss the ways in which Augustus used Egyptian iconography to secure power in Egypt. 11:00am in the Benson Center, Room 407. https://www.pbk.org/programs/displayscholars.aspx?id=62

November 17. Information session for WFU’s new summer study abroad program in Indonesia.  Come listen to faculty discuss the details of this summer’s program and ask any questions you might have. 4:00pm in Wingate Hall, Room 210. Flyer.

November 12. A Conversation with Greg Mortenson.  6:45 PM in Wait Chapel.  Part of the BOOKMARKS festival.  Mortensen is co-author of "Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace Through Education in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”  His first book, "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace ... One School at a Time," was a #1 New York Times bestseller. Admission by ticket only. To purchase, call Brown Paper Tickets 24/7 at 1-800-838-3006.

November 11.  Prof. Eva Midden will lecture on “Toward a More Inclusive Feminism: Rethinking Multiculturalism and Feminism.” 4:30 – 5:30 P.M., Library Reading Room, Carswell Hall (2nd Floor).
Midden’s research concerns the various discourses about multiculturalism, feminism, and post secularism currently elaborated in several European countries. She grapples with them in her thesis, which argues for a more inclusive and nuanced redefinition of the relationship between multiculturalism and feminism.  Co-sponsored by Women’s and Gender Studies and the Middle East and South Asia Studies Program.

October 23.  Diwali Dhoom. Community members (Indo-US Cultural Association), Wake Forest students (ASIA) and Wake Forest faculty perform cultural programs from India to celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights. This is the sixth year at Wake Forest University. 5:30-9:30 in Brendle Recital Hall, Scales.  $10 admission.  http://www.indouswinston.org/Diwali%202010%20Flyer_New.png.

October 12. Prof. Ayla Samli will speak on “Genderations: Changing Modalities of Modern Turkish Women.” 4:30 p.m. in Tribble Hall, Room C-216.  Cosponsored with the Research, Development, and Advancement Committee of  Women’s and Gender Studies at Wake Forest University. A reception will follow the lecture.

October 7. The Public Debate Initiative and the Department of Communication host the British National Debate Team to debate “The Burqa and Niqab, Debate and Dialogue.” 7:30pm in Pugh Auditorium, Benson Center.

October 7-9, 2010. A Faculty Development Workshop for Educators on “Health as Metaphor and Reality in Asian Perspectives.”  Registration required via: https://pdc.wfu.edu/register/2167.

September 29. A reception for Middle East & South Asia Studies from 4:00-5:15pm in the Foyer of Tribble Hall (1st floor, entrance facing Benson Center). Flyer.

September 17-19, 2010. Conference on “The Future of Coptic Studies: Theories, Methods, Topics.” Held at various locations on the WFU campus. More information at http://www.wfu.edu/religion/events.html. Program.

September 17, 2010.  Symposium on “Patriarchal Religion, Sexuality, and Gender.”  Scholar-presenters include: David A.J. Richards (Professor, Law/Political Science, NYU), Jane Caputi (Professor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Florida Atlantic University), Nicholas Bamforth (Professor, Law, Oxford University, UK), Hassan El Menyawi (Professor, Law/Pol Sci, NYU).  Held 9am-3:30pm in the Law School, room 1301.

2009

November 12. "The Play of Reasons: Islam Within and Beyond Itself."  A lecture by Dr. Youssef Yacoubi, Arabic and Comparative Literature, Bard College.  4:30pm on Thursday in the Annenberg Forum, 111 Carswell. Flyer.

October 28.  Informational session for students interested in WFU's summer study abroad opportunity in Morocco.  5:30pm on Wednesday in Tribble C316. Flyer.

October 7.  Public lecture by Dr. Kimberly Katz, associate professor of history, Towson University, on "Life, Work and Girls in Palestine: The Diary of Samir 'Amir."  Greene Hall, room 145, 4:30pm. Flyer.

September 30. Reception for faculty and students with an interest in Middle East and South Asia Studies.  Lobby of Tribble Hall at 4pm. Flyer.

March 30. Dr. Patrica Crone, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor of Islamic History at The Institute for Advanced Study, will present a Forrest W. Clonts Lecture on "Transmission Without a Paper Trail: Prophets as Impostors in Antiquity, Islam and Medieval Europe." 6pm in the Annenberg Forum (Carswell Hall).

March 24. "Lost Boys Rebuilding Southern Sudan." Documentary and panel discussion featuring Lost Boys from Sudan. 11:00am in Pugh Auditorium (Benson).

March 24. "Jihad for Love." Documentary followed by question and answer session with the film's director, Parvez Sharma. 6:00 pm in Green Hall, room 162.

March 19. Prof. Hank Kennedy (political science) will speak on Afghanistan and Pakistan as part of the Great Decisions lecture series.  7:00pm in Scales Fine Arts Center, room A102.

February 26. Dr. David Ricci (visiting professor in political science) will present a lecture on "Dilemmas of the War in Gaza." 7pm in DeTamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall).

February 25. Anna Rubino, author of Queen of the Oil Club, will present a lecture on "How a Female Journalist Challenged Power--and Succeeded." 4:30pm in DeTamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall).

February 23. Dr. Chitralekh Zutshi will present a lecture on "Re-Visioning Kashmir as a Borderland in South Asian History."  6pm in DeTamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall).

February 19. "Encounter Point."  Documentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  Followed by a panel discussion.  In Pugh Auditorium at 7:00pm.

2008

December 1. Dr. Nelly van Doorn-Harder (Valparaiso University) will speak on “Fighting for Women’s Human Rights: Muslim Women in Indonesia.” 3:30pm in 302 Wingate Hall. Sponsored by the Religion Department.

November 23. Professor Ron Geaves (Liverpool Hope University) will present a lecture on “Islam at Home in the English Speaking World: A Report from the United Kingdom.” 2pm in Wait Supported by the Fund for Ethics, Leadership, and Civic Responsibility under a grant from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation to Wake Forest University through the Office of the Provost.

November 6. Dr. Darlene May (Arabic) will present a lecture on“Women and Islam” at 7:00 p.m. in Scales 102. Sponsored by WFU Muslim Students’ Association and the Chaplain’s Office. Flyer

October 30.  Informational session on Wake Forest's study abroad program in Morocco.  5pm in Tribble C316.  More information here.

October 22. Professor Akhram Khater of North Carolina State University will speak on “Becoming 'Syrian' in America: A Global Geography of Ethnicity and Nation.” 6:00pm in Scales Fine Arts Center (Room 102).

October 8. Reception for Middle East and South Asia Studies faculty and students. 4-5pm, Tribble Hall Foyer.  More information here.

October 7.  Showing and panel discussion of "Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet." Sponsored by the Muslim Students Association.  DeTamble auditorium. 7:30 pm.  More information here.

September 2. Professor Manachem Hofnung, "Cours and Terror: Democratic Governance and State Security.  4:30pm in Tribble C-316. Flyer

April 22.  Prince Among Slaves.  Showing of this award-winning film, followed by a lecture by the Dr. Sylviane Diouf , director of the Shomburg-Mellon Humanities Institute in New York.  7pm in Scales Fine Arts Center Auditorium.  Flyer.

April 16:Charles Kurzman of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill will speak on “The Challenges of Radical Islam.” 5:00pm in Detamble Auditorium (Tribble Hall).  Sponsored by the Departments of Political Science, Sociology, Religion, and History. Flyer.

April 15: Paradise Now (2005), 7:00pm in Detamble Auditorium, Tribble Hall. Arabic film showing followed by discussion led by Hank Kennedy (Political Science) and Tom Brister (Political Science). Flyer

March 18: Charles Wilkins of Wake Forest’s Department of History will speak on “Slavery and Household Formation in Ottoman Aleppo, 1640-1700.” 4:30pm in Tribble A209.  Sponsored by Medieval Studies.

March 4-5: Interfaith Feminisms—Jewish, Christian and Muslim Perspectives, featuring Mary C. Boys, Susannah Heschel, Yvonne Haddad, and Hibba Abugidieri. Phyllis Trible Lecture Series. Information at http://divinity.wfu.edu/trible-lectures.html

March 3: Khairi Abaza of the University of London and the Washington Institute for Near East Policy will speak on “The Arab World: No Stability Without Reform.” 7:00 pm, Annenberg Forum (Carswell 111).  Sponsored by the Communication Department.

February 19: Where is Iraq (2004), 7:00pm in Detamble Auditorium, Tribble Hall. Arabic film showing followed by a discussion led by Sarah Lischer (Political Science) and Charles Wilkins (History). Flyer

 February 14: Eileen Joy of Southern Illinois University will speak on "The Old English Wonders of the East and the 2002 Gujarat, India, Massacre," 4:30pm in Tribble A209. Sponsored by Medieval Studies.

January 24: Daniel Ellsberg, "Iraq & Iran: The Need for New Pentagon Papers," 7:00pm in Brendle Recital Hall

2007

November 7: "What is the role of religion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict?"  Panel discussion featuring Ken Hoglund (Religion), Hank Kennedy (Political Science) and Charles Wilkins (History).  6-7pm in Benson 410.

October 29: Vali Nasr.  Lecture by an Iranian-American expert in contemporary Middle Eastern affairs, Islam and politics, 7:00 pm at Wait Chapel.

September 29: Indian classical music concert featuring Pritam Bhattacharjee accompanied by Prithwiraj Bhattacharjee on Tabla (sponsored the Indo-US Cultural Association in association with Wake Forest Music Department), 7:00 pm at Brendle Hall. Flyer

April 12: Michaelle Browers, “The US in the Middle East” (part of the Great Decisions series sponsored by the Center for International Studies). At 7: 00pm, A102 Scales Fine Arts Center.

March 28: Salim Tamari, Birzeit University, “Palestinian Politics After Mecca” (sponsored by the Departments of Political Science, Religion, History and Sociology). Pugh Auditorium at 6pm.

March 4: Roberta Morosini, Department of Romance Languages, Wake Forest University, “‘Whispers of the Dove’: Women and Polyandria in the Legend of Muhammad the Prophet of Islam, Dante’s ‘Inferno’ XXVIII, and the ‘Roman De Mahomet’” (sponsored by Medieval Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies). At 4:30pm, Tribble A209.

News & Announcements

• Fall 2011 MESASP Newsletter
• OGB profile of Charles Wilkins
• 9-11 & Middle East Studies at WFU
• OGB Profile of Fulbright Hijazi Isaili
• Faculty Q & A: Browers on Egypt
• Students in India
• Students and ProfessorsTravel to India
• Political Scientist Recieves NEH Grant
• We Are Wake Forest: Oration from student Zahir Rahman
• Feast of Sacrifice Celebrated
• Faculty Q & A: Communication's Anandra Mitra
• Faculty Q & A: Anthropology's Ellen Miller.
• Faculty Q & A: Political Science's Michaelle Browers.
• Profile of one student's experience in Fez.

Declaring the Minor

Minor declaration forms may be obtained online via WIN (click on Info Central, Forms and Documents, Registrar) or at the Registrar’s Office.