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Saint Xavier University Chicago Campus Residence Halls

Middle Eastern Studies Courses


Prerequisite/Corequisite Key

P = Course must be taken previously C = Course must be taken concurrently E = Course can be taken previously or concurrently
(RQ) = Required (RM) = Recommended  

MES 150

Middle Eastern American Issues

3 credit hours

This is an introductory research course which explores a variety of issues related to Middle Eastern Americans, mainly Arab Americans, such as immigration, population growth, cultural diversity and political involvement.

MES 240

Chicago's Arab Americans

3 credit hours

This course will explore the immigration, geographic trends, and historical settlement of the Arab community in the greater Chicagoland area. Topics will include the diversity, identity, demographics, cultural traditions, norms and practices of the Arab American community.

MES 260

Special Topics

3 credit hours

This course focuses on special topics in Middle Eastern studies. This course may be repeated when a new topic is offered.

MES 265

Middle East and North African (MENA) Cultures

3 credit hours

*Formerly Middle Eastern Cultures. The Middle East is built on a magnificent legacy of civilizations dating back to ancient times. Today, the Middle East continues to offer the world a rich cultural contribution. This course explores the peoples and cultures of the Middle East and offers an anthropological understanding of the diversity in the Middle East by examining societal differences in cultural practices, male-female relations, music, literature, kinship systems, religions and traditions, history and heritage, ethnic minorities, social identity and social change. This course will also analyze the impact of colonialism and imperialism on the contemporary political and group conflicts among the various peoples of the Middle East.

MES 360

Special Topics in Middle Eastern Studies

3 credit hours

This course focuses on special topics in Middle Eastern studies. This course may be repeated when a new topic is offered.

MES 380

Middle East Related Internship/ Field Experience

3 credit hours

P: ANTH-101 or MES-265

This course is for students who perform internships, work for Middle East related NGO's, cultural organizations and museums or present an off-campus experience (national or international) judged by the program director to be of significant value in Middle East Studies. Prerequisite: consent of Program Director.