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College of Arts & Sciences

Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MENA)

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Why choose Middle Eastern and North African Studies (MENA) studies at North Central College?

You will develop an in-depth perspective on a key region of the world that affects the daily lives of Americans. You will enroll in a 20-credit-hour minor that includes both language—at least two semesters of Arabic—and culture. You can choose from courses in history, art, conflict resolution, French, gender and sexuality studies, literature, music, political science, religious studies and sociology/anthropology. You will have opportunities to visit and work in the Chicago region and to study abroad in Morocco, Jordan and Turkey. Graduates with MENA minors will fill the growing need for employers to hire applicants with a strong knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa.

You can also:

  • Choose your MENA courses to match your major and personal interests.
  • Fulfill the B.A. requirement for foreign language with two terms of Arabic.
  • Participate in MENA-related field trips in Chicagoland.
  • Study abroad in the Middle East and North Africa.
  • Attend on-campus events focusing on the cultures of the MENA region.
  • Foster connections with students from the MENA region, who are currently on campus, through the International Club or conversation partners program.

More Department information

Middle Eastern and North African Studies Minor

The Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Studies minor is an interdisciplinary area studies minor that equips students to analyze the MENA region through the lens of several disciplines such as history, literature, art, conflict resolution, gender and sexuality studies, music, political science, religious studies and sociology/anthropology. Co-curricular activities will include opportunities to visit and work in the Chicago region and to study abroad in Morocco, Jordan or Turkey. Graduates with MENA minors will not only fill the growing need for employers to hire applicants with a strong knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa, but also be able to choose from a wide variety of sectors to work/study in: Academia, international corporations, non-profit organizations, government organizations and NGOS.

For additional information about this program, see Middle Eastern and North African Studies.

A minimum of 24 credit hours, including:

Elective

Twelve credit hours from the following:

Note:

A May Term study away seminar and travel experience may apply if focused on the Middle East or North Africa.

Advanced Elective

Four credit hours from the following:

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